Boeing Field Group Calls for Study

King County International Airport Roundtable
Unanimously Recommends Further Study of
Proposed Move by Southwest Airlines

On 12 September, the King County International Airport Roundtable voted unanimously to send a recommendation to the King County Executive and the King County Council that Southwest's proposal be further studied. The text of that letter as sent appears below.

The 16-member Roundtable was created by the King County Council in 1997 to "advise and make recommendations to the airport management, county executive, and county council on the airport budget, programs, regulations, master plans and noise reduction strategies and other related matters." [King County Ordinance 12785].

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September 13, 2005
Dear Executive Sims and Council Chair Phillips:

Following a presentation by and discussion with Gary Kelly, Ron Ricks, and Bob Montgomery of Southwest Airlines at its meeting on September 12, 2005, the members of the King County International Airport Roundtable unanimously recommended the County proceed with an evaluation of the Southwest Airlines proposal to move its operations from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to King County International Airport (KCIA). Roundtable members directed me to communicate that recommendation to both the County Executive and the County Council.

Roundtable members clearly identified aircraft noise as a primary issue of concern to the communities under and near the flight paths to and from KCIA. They are pleased to hear a commitment from Southwest Airlines to work with the communities in resolving these issues. They also are concerned about land use allocations at the airport and how those allocations affect both existing businesses and the long-term viability of the airport. Obtaining better clarity regarding these issues is extremely important to evaluating the Southwest Airlines proposal as well as other proposals for the use of KCIA.

Southwest Airlines has agreed to have its Chief Pilot at the October 10, 2005, Roundtable meeting to discuss alternative approach and departure procedures that are possible with the Boeing 737-700 and how those procedures might be used to minimize the noise impact of Southwest’s operations at KCIA.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the King County International Airport Roundtable,

/s/ Jim Combs
Jim Combs, Chair

King County International Airport Roundtable