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Please note that the Airport's oldest and longest runway (16L/34R) was closed for reconstruction from March 31 - September 26. During construction, aircraft primarily landed on the third runway and departed on the center runway. The 16L/34R runway has been certified and is back in operation.
What are the FAA and Port of Seattle responsibilities for the third runway?
Since it has opened, have operations on the third runway been more frequent than anticipated?
1. What are the FAA and Port of Seattle responsibilities for the third runway?
The Port of Seattle is the owner and operator of the airport, responsible for managing the airport facilities and infrastructure, as well as addressing noise issues within the community. The FAA has sole responsibility for managing the airspace and all flight operations, including departures, landings, runway use, etc.
2. Why is the FAA using the runway in good weather when it was described as a runway needed in poor weather?
The third runway was built primarily to address lower visibility conditions surrounding Sea-Tac Airport. However, the third runway was also built to improve operational efficiency during peak periods in any weather condition.
Regardless of the weather, during peak periods the third runway, along with the easternmost runway, will be used for arrivals in order to help reduce delays. Therefore, you can expect the third runway to be used during peak periods nearly every day. However, in general, the FAA does not expect the third runway to be needed as often in good weather conditions as it will be when there are lower visibility conditions.
3. Since it has opened, have operations on the third runway been more frequent than anticipated?
The third runway opened during the time of year when lower visibility weather is prominent (November, December and January). We would expect lower visibility operations to be more frequent this time of year, versus the summer months.
The opening of the third runway has also led to changes in the operational use patterns of all three of Sea-Tac’s runways, meaning air traffic controllers are working with a variety of new operational procedures.
Prior to closing the easternmost runway for reconstruction, statistics show that the average third runway usage for south flow arrivals was in line with the projected usage from the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement submitted in 1997. These statistics are available online.
4. Is the third runway noisier than anticipated?
Different usage of all three runways means people are experiencing changes in noise patterns with some residents possibly receiving more noise and others possibly experiencing less noise. The third runway will need to be operating for awhile before we can assess the specific noise impact, but it is not surprising that some people believe they are experiencing increased noise.
5. Will there be departures on the third runway?
According to the FAA, the third runway will be used primarily for arrivals and only a very small percentage of the time for departures.
6. Now that the third runway is open, can the surrounding communities expect the Port to implement additional noise mitigation projects?
In the last Part 150 Noise Study Update, which was completed in 2002, the Port projected what the noise impacts would be once the third runway opened and then implemented a comprehensive noise mitigation program that included extensive insulation and acquisition projects in preparation for the runway’s opening.
The Port of Seattle and the FAA, with active community involvement, will begin the next Part 150 by the end of 2009. In preparation, the Port has already begun collecting noise and flight track data.
The purpose of the Part 150 is to review all of the airport’s existing noise programs and analyze noise impacts connected with aircraft operations. If the study identifies noise that wasn’t captured in the previous projections, then it’s possible the Port Commission will determine whether to include more noise mitigation for those affected.
See the Third Runway page for additional information. 