EDITOR’S NOTE: South King Media Founder/Publisher Scott Schaefer serves on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce.
SEA Airport leaders outlined plans for new international flights, major construction and small business opportunities at a Sept. 2 chamber luncheon, while a Burien Airport Committee member pressed them on how growth would affect neighboring communities.
The Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce’s annual SEA Airport Luncheon brought together airline executives, airport officials and local business representatives. Presentations covered Alaska Airlines’ expansion, a planned $2.5 billion S Concourse renovation and airport retail opportunities.
Burien Rep Challenges Airport Managing Director
During the audience Q&A, Brian Davis, a member of the Burien Airport Committee, said Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila had filed objections to the airport master plan. He questioned whether the Port of Seattle’s assessment adequately reflected what residents experience.
“The port’s proposal basically says that there is no significant impact on the surrounding communities. That’s not our experience,” Davis said. “So I guess my question is how do we bridge that gap between the port’s view of things and what the communities are actually experiencing?”
Wendy Reiter, SEA Airport’s managing director, said she could not fully address those concerns while officials were reviewing environmental comments. She pledged to work with neighboring communities on solutions.
“I do believe that we can build better relationships with our communities,” Reiter said “Thank you, Brian. And I appreciate you and thank you for being on START and thank you for always being proactive and talking to us and trying to build solutions. I really do appreciate that, Brian. Thanks.”
Airport Managing Director Outlines Next Phase of Construction
Reiter described the airport master plan as a series of 31 projects intended to accommodate future growth, including a new terminal with 19 gates, airfield safety improvements and roads connecting airport facilities.
The public comment period for the required state environmental review closed on Aug. 20, she said. After comments are addressed and a final decision is made, individual projects would go before the Port of Seattle Commission for action and approval.
Separately, Reiter said major construction on the S Concourse renovation is scheduled to begin in 2027, with completion estimated in 2034.
The project would modernize the facility, which dates to 1973, and add 150,000 square feet, including an upper concourse level and more dining, retail, lounge and passenger amenities. It would not add gates, she said.
Construction would proceed in phases while flights continue. A temporary annex would support ground boarding, with a goal of limiting construction impacts to three of the concourse’s 12 gates at a time.
Travelers will also see other work continue into next year. Reiter said the airport’s baggage handling project is expected to be completed in 2027. Roadway improvements have expanded access from four lanes to six, with final paving and landscaping planned for this fall.
Alaska Airlines Outlines Growth, Hiring and Airport Investment
Alaska Airlines, meanwhile, is preparing to expand its international network from Seattle.
Ben Brookman, the airline’s vice president of real estate and airport affairs, said Alaska plans to launch service to Paris five days a week and Athens three days a week in 2027. The airline intends to serve at least 12 destinations across the Atlantic or Pacific by 2030, he said.
“We’re going to continue to invest. We’re going to continue to double down in Seattle,” Brookman said.
Brookman said the commercial side of Alaska’s integration with Hawaiian Airlines was largely complete, with fleet, pricing and network decisions being made together. Operational work remained, including joint labor agreements, he said. Hawaiian would continue as a separate brand within Alaska Air Group.
Asked about hiring, Brookman said much of the company’s growth would be in operations, including pilots, flight attendants and ground crews. He did not provide a specific hiring target.
Airport Officials Emphasize Small Businesses
Airport officials also highlighted opportunities for small businesses to reach travelers.
Eight of the 10 new dining and retail concepts in the C Concourse expansion are owned and operated by small businesses, according to the airport’s dining and retail presentation.
The SEA Sparks program offers businesses that have never operated at an airport a way to test their products with less investment in infrastructure. Opportunities range from retail spaces with power and communications to restaurant facilities supplied by the port.
The program includes 23 spaces across seven categories, with a coffee business opportunity expected to be released later this year, according to the presentation.
A video shown during the luncheon featured Bite Society, whose owners described rebuilding after the pandemic shut down their catering operation and cafes. They discussed the application process and the investment involved in opening at the airport’s expanded C Concourse.
Video
Below is video of the luncheon, as filmed/edited by Scott Schaefer (running time 1-hour 3-minutes, 41-seconds):
