King County International Airport

Director:  Robert Burke
Employees:  46 FTE
2007 operating budget:  $13.7 million
Website:  www.kingcounty.gov/airport

Robert Burke

About the Division

King County International Airport (KCIA) at Boeing Field is owned by the citizens of King County, and receives no general tax dollars. It was established in 1928 by voters, and continues to be vital to local, regional, and state economies. KCIA supports more than 300,000 aviation takeoffs and landings each year, and is home to dozens of aviation-related businesses, including the world-renowned Museum of Flight. It directly supports more than 10,000 aviation-related jobs in the region.

With two runways that are 3,710 feet and 10,001 feet in length and four fixed-base operators, Boeing Field offers the facilities and services necessary to support jet and propeller-driven aircraft and helicopters 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – in all weather conditions. The airport provides quality facilities to its tenants and users, and continually strives to be a good neighbor by working with pilots and communities to minimize aircraft noise.

KCIA has been designated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Primary Commercial Service Non-Hub Reliever Airport. Regional scheduled passenger service and air cargo carriers also operate from KCIA. It is among the busiest aviation cargo facilities in the nation.

KCIA is completely supported by user fees such as rents, aircraft landing, parking, and fuel flowage fees. More than $39 million in state and local taxes is generated as a result of economic activity at the airport. It is home base for more than 485 aircraft and 150 businesses including commercial airlines, aircraft manufacturing, airfreight companies, aircraft service, repair facilities, flight schools, charter operation, and helicopter services. The Boeing Company’s 737 commercial airplane delivery center, Flight-Test, and military AWACs programs are also based there. KCIA is frequently the host airport to visiting heads of state – including the President of the United States – as well as other dignitaries and celebrities.

2007 in Review

As part of ongoing safety and security efforts, KCIA’s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Unit developed a new training curriculum, and signed a mutual aid agreement with The Boeing Company and local fire departments. Plus, specifications for the purchase of a state-of-the-art fire truck were prepared. Also, KCIA expanded its Airport Operations section in 2007 to make sure all aviation activities are in compliance with FAA standards.

King County International Airport.

As KCIA approached its 80th anniversary, the Airport Layout Plan was updated in 2007 and approved by the FAA. The plan is an important tool in guiding the airport’s capital development and is a key element in securing federal airport grants. With the proceeds of a $100,000 grant from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), airport staff replaced all cabling, transformers and lighting fixtures on the airport’s general aviation runway (13L/31R). Staff also replaced the outdated visual landing aid technology with a modern system. The upgrades provided a completely new lighting system for the short runway improving visibility for pilots using Boeing Field. In an ongoing effort to be a good neighbor, KCIA also began a multiyear Home Insulation Program following adoption of its FAA Part 150 Noise Study.

With federal grants totaling $5.6 million in 2007, it started insulating the first 100 neighborhood homes selected for the program. Also in 2007, the airport implemented a new Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to track the status and cost of maintenance and repair services to airport facilities and systems.

Looking ahead

In an effort to maintain one of the most significant aviation assets in the state, KCIA will continue to make improvements in safety, security, and facilities. The airport expects delivery of new firefighting equipment in 2008, with improvements to the fire station to follow. Using wireless technology, staff will make additional upgrades improvements to airport security. A full rehabilitation of Taxiway Bravo is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2008 at an estimated cost of $12 million. And, plans call for Taxiway Alpha to be redone in 2009. Several long term tenant leases are scheduled to expire in the coming years and redevelopment of these properties is currently in the planning stages.

KCIA managers are currently developing and evaluating various alternatives for aviation use of these sites based on market surveys, discussions with industry officials, and tenant feedback. Division staff is also updating the fee and lease structure at KCIA, which is very outdated for an airport of its size and location. Over the past four years, the Airport Division made strides in gradually bringing fees and rates toward regional and national market levels. Work will continue in this area throughout 2008.

And, work will continue on the 10-year Home Insulation Program, which involves testing and insulating qualified residences located in the vicinity of the airport. KCIA staff will also develop strategies to deliver transportation services in ways that protect and enhance the environment including oversight of storm water discharge from airport property, and replacing utility vehicles with those that use less fuel and produce fewer emissions. And, in keeping with King County’s climate change objectives, the airport will conduct a baseline study on greenhouse gas emissions at KCIA to help the county meet its climate change objectives.

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