A new terminal is coming to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (also referred to as SEA or Sea-Tac). The terminal addition is part of the airport’s Sustainable Airport Master Plan, or SAMP for short. The plan can now move on to the next step, as the Port of Seattle recently announced that the Federal Aviation Administration approved environmental assessments for multiple expansion projects at SEA Airport, including the new terminal.
Read on for all the details!
SEA Airport’s expansion is an attempt to accommodate the growing number of passengers. Last year, SEA Airport serviced 52 million passengers. By 2032, the number of passengers at SEA Airport will have grown to a projected 56 million passengers. The airport’s upcoming projects, including the new terminal, are designed to accommodate that number.
What does the plan include?
SEA Airport’s SAMP includes 31 near-term projects. One of the biggest projects is a new terminal with 19 gates. Here are some of the main projects to be completed within the next few years, as highlighted by SEA:
- A second terminal with 19 additional gates
- A new rental car facility
- An elevated busway with stations linking the rental car facility, new terminal, and main terminal
- Realigning airport roadways
- New parking infrastructure to serve the second terminal
- Additional facilities for sustainable aviation fuel
When will the new terminal be completed?
SEA Airport plans to have the 31 near-term projects, or NTPs, completed or at least under construction by 2032. This includes the new terminal.
What’s the next step?
Now the Port of Seattle has to complete a state-level environmental review of the projects. They plan to have this done by the end of 2026.
To visualize the planned changes to the airport and see where the new terminal will be, you can view a map here. You can also read more about SEA Airport’s new terminal and other near-term projects on the Port of Seattle website.