With 46.9 million passengers last year, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) broke its own annual records for the seventh consecutive year.
These numbers were aided by the addition of four new international lines–and three more will be added in the coming year. Additionally, an economic impact analysis by Community Attributes Inc. determined that the airport pumps $22.5 billion into the economy and provides 19,100 jobs at the airport itself. It is the fifth largest employer in Washington’s King County at this point. A total of 425,800 metric tons of cargo also passed through Sea-Tac last year–a 16.2 percent increase over 2016.
Given that demand for travel through the airport has increased by 41 percent over the last five years and a new construction project is kicking off this week, those numbers are set to continue rising.
“It takes a highly skilled village to serve 46 million passengers while simultaneously building world class facilities,” Port of Seattle Commission President Courtney Gregoire said. “Record-breaking demand is not enough. We also need to deliver record-breaking results for local businesses, local workers, and neighborhoods closest to the airport. Between airport construction and airport-related development in the area, we are partnering with communities to make even closer connections on job and business opportunities.”
On Feb. 8, the airport will proceed with a $17 million expansion of the Central Terminal, which will result in 10,000 more square feet and no taxpayer dollars used along the way. Charging stations will be added, but the majority of the focus will be on enlarging the dining and retail areas.