The airport next door: Another chance this week to learn about options proposed for Boeing Field’s future

(From kingcounty.gov)

Boeing Field – aka King County International Airport, “one of the busiest non-hub airports in the nation” – is just east of West Seattle, both visible and audible to many here – with aircraft from cargo jets to Blue Angels – and is continuing the process of planning its future. Your next chance to plug in is this Thursday – here’s the announcement:

King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) is gathering input about future airport plans at an open house on Thursday, September 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the KCIA Flight Service Station, 6526 Ellis Ave. S.

KCIA invites airport tenants, airport users, and community members to provide input on draft alternatives the airport is considering in the Vision 2045 Airport Plan. Attendees can stop by any time to talk with the study team and share their feedback. The goal is to have a plan that will allow KCIA to adapt and evolve to meet changing aviation demand over the next 20 years. …

More information about the open house:

Get more details and register (optional): kciaplanning.com.

There will be no formal presentation. Free parking is available in the building’s parking lot and on nearby streets. A King County Metro bus stop at Ellis Ave. S and S. Warsaw Street, across from the KCIA Flight Service Station, serves the 124 and 60 lines. Interpretation will be available in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Khmer, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.

If individuals are unable to attend the open house, the study team has posted information for comments on the project website, including the draft alternatives. The study team will accept comments on the alternatives through 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on Oct. 17. These comments will be considered in the second draft of alternatives that will be available for public comment in November.

The study team will host additional open houses and engagement opportunities throughout the process, which continues through mid-2026.

Kt September 22, 2025 (3:02 pm)

Bring back the Blue Max restaurant!

NativetoSeattle September 23, 2025 (8:58 pm)

Yes! I worked at the Blue Max for a short time.

anonyme September 22, 2025 (4:13 pm)

If you look at the options, most of them involve a sizable expansion with more traffic. Others require removal of the greenbelts along I-5 that act as sound (and sight) buffers. There is NO option that doesn’t have a negative impact on West Seattle, especially Delridge and Highland Park. I’d get out now.

22blades September 22, 2025 (4:52 pm)

Any wild dreams of expanding capacity is just that; wild dreams. KBFI is not a a hub or even major carrier caliber airfield. Aircraft operations are in large part governed by the FAA to conform to obstruction limitations known as TERPS. Nestled in an industrial & arguably residential area, the option are just about non-existent. They keep making the rounds with this dog & pony show every 5 years or so. This once vibrant airport has morphed into almost an exclusive facility for Boeing, UPS & the well heeled jet set like Bezos & Gates. I’ve been flying out of there since 1976. This event is a pacifier.

Dave Acklam September 26, 2025 (7:49 am)

The thing with Boeing Field is that it’s *freight* operations free up slots at SeaTac for passenger traffic.So expanding freight handling operations is an overall win, even though there will never be airline service there….

Joe September 22, 2025 (11:52 pm)

ICE should not be allowed to use it to disappear people.

Joe Z September 23, 2025 (10:52 am)

Overall these look pretty minor. It’s not really an expansion, just minor safety upgrades and taxiway reconfiguration. It looks like a piece of south Beacon Hill would be most impacted by tree removals. West Seattle isn’t really impacted at all.

Edward Michaels September 23, 2025 (10:59 pm)

It’s the same old story nationwide. Population grows, personal wealth grows, private airplane use increases, and people buy homes near airports because they are cheaper. Then the battle begins to start limiting or shutting down the airport. This is happening at hundreds of airports across the United States. If you don’t want the airport to grow, please stop population growth and economic growth. If you’re not willing to do that, then simply move out into the woods.

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