SEATTLE—Seattle-Tacoma International Airport continues to boast significant growth in the number of international airlines. In 2018, three new airlines began service, with three more scheduled for 2019. And, during the last decade, the number of passengers requiring US Customs clearance at Sea-Tac doubled. Passenger volume during peak periods climbs well above the levels the current facility was meant to hold. As a result, passengers often must wait in airplanes at the gate or in current hallways before going through customs or picking up luggage.

In order to increase capacity levels and provide a major upgrade for international passengers, a new International Arrivals Facility/IAF is underway at Sea-Tac. The project is rapidly progressing towards its scheduled opening in the fall of 2020 when the new 450,000-square-foot grand hall will be five times larger than the current 1970s-era facility. The IAF, the most complex capital development program in the history of the 69-year-old airport, will significantly improve the arrival process for international passengers without adding new gates.

“We are on our way to creating a significantly better experience for our arriving international visitors and residents here at Sea-Tac, and providing a much more welcoming facility reflective of our region's quality,” said Courtney Gregoire, president of the Port of Seattle Commission.

The project includes the main international arrivals facility for baggage claim and customs processing, an 85-foot high aerial walkway that will connect passengers from the South Satellite and a new security corridor that will allow dual use of gates on Concourse A for both international and domestic arriving flights.

“It is an opportunity to look ahead at what we have yet to achieve and reaffirm our commitment to delivering a project of which all stakeholders can be proud,” said Brian Ahern, Clark Construction vice president and project director in charge of construction of the international arrivals facility. “We look forward to continuing the spirit of collaboration that has been established on site and working side-by-side with Port of Seattle and airline representatives to deliver the IAF safely, swiftly and successfully.”

Construction is scheduled to be complete by May 31, 2020 with facility activation and testing to follow for public use opening in the fall of 2020.

“Like the other stakeholders of this region, Delta long ago saw the potential for Sea-Tac to expand its reach and become a truly world-class international gateway,” said Tony Gonchar, Delta's vice president-Seattle. “Today's milestone brings us closer to that vision. As Seattle's largest global airline and the largest future user of this facility, we know our customers and this region are ready for the benefits to come.”

An independent review panel convened by the Port of Seattle Commission reported on September 11, 2018, the price and construction of the program of projects are both “reasonable and achievable.”

“The existing 1970s-era facilities cannot accommodate Seattle's growing demand for international travel,” Ahern tells GlobeSt.com. “In addition to the three new elements, supporting projects will include expanding power, fiber optic technology and high-efficiency baggage services will significantly speed-up processing during peak international arrival periods.”

The facility is expected to support approximately 10,600 jobs, including 500 jobs a day during a months-long peak construction period.

“With this incredible economic boom the Seattle region is experiencing, we hear a lot about the historic records being broken on jobs and the number of construction cranes in the sky. But what we don't hear enough about is the human upside: beneath all of the hardhats are real, local people who are working hard day in and day out for this economy,” said Monty Anderson, executive secretary, Seattle Building and Construction Trades Council. “The investments here at the airport are creating thousands of good family-wage jobs from our local communities and will help build the next generation of construction workers, opening new doors through apprenticeships for women, people of color, veterans and others who are disadvantaged.”

By next summer, Alaska Airlines partners will offer upwards of 80 flights per week out of Sea-Tac, says Diana Birkett Rakow, vice president of external relations for Alaska Airlines.

Instant Insights /

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