Record number of passengers pushes expansion, improvements at Sea-Tac Airport

SEATAC, Wash. — The Port of Seattle says Sea-Tac Airport is hitting a record-breaking seventh year of passenger growth as billions of dollars’ worth of renovations and expansions are underway.

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President of the Port Commission, Courtney Gregoire, told KIRO 7 the opening of a new International Arrivals Facility is needed to be able to serve more passengers and improve the travel experience.

“By opening up the facility, using new technology and by encouraging our federal government to have a few more customs and border protection agents to give everyone a better experience when they come to our region,” Gregoire said at a news conference Thursday.

Sea-Tac Airport saw nearly 47 million passengers come through last year, and they expect to break records again in 2018.

The airport expects to spend $3.2 billion on development between 2017 and 2022. No taxpayer dollars are used to fund airport projects.

Port commissioners say the expansion projects include the arrivals facility, a renovation of the Central Terminal dining area and a North Satellite modernization.

Work on the $17 million renovation of the Central Terminal dining area will begin Feb. 8.  It will add 10,000 more square feet and provide more dining and retail options, including charging stations for travelers to plug in their personal electronic devices, new sit-down restaurants and more food options closer to passenger gates.

Cox Media Group