Last day to submit comments on Noise Exposure Maps
Today, April 4, is the last day to comment on draft Noise Exposure Maps (NEMs) that show the current and projected aircraft noise levels in and around King County International Airport (KCIA). Comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). See details below about ways you can provide your thoughts. Your input can help inform the KCIA Part 150 Study.
On March 20, KCIA hosted the Part 150 Study Community Open House. This is the third open house for the Vision 2045 Airport Plan and the Part 150 Study. More than 40 community members stopped by to:
- Learn about the draft Noise Exposure Maps (NEMs) that show the current and projected aircraft noise levels in and around KCIA and learn how the NEMs are developed.
- Provide input on the draft NEMs and the upcoming Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) that will identify measurable actions to reduce airport noise and promote compatible land uses near KCIA.
- Meet with project team members and KCIA staff to ask questions.
Members of the project team and KCIA staff engaged with attendees as they walked around the room to view project boards displaying information on the Part 150 Study process. There was also a 15-minute video presentation to help explain the process. Interpreters were available in Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Most attendees expressed appreciation for the information and outreach.
The preliminary draft NEMs are available for review and comment on the project website. Please submit your questions or comments in the electronic box below the draft NEMs or email the project study team at KCIACommunityOutreach@kingcounty.gov.
All comments will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration with the preliminary draft NEMs.
Photo: Attendees learn about current and projected aircraft noise at the open house on March 20.
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Airport unveils new hybrid electric fire truck
King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) is the first airport in the country to receive a hybrid electric airport fire truck to respond to emergencies like aircraft crashes or hangar fires. The Striker Volterra from Oshkosh Airport Products dramatically cuts greenhouse gas and particulate emissions compared to diesel-only fire trucks.
KCIA’s new hybrid electric fire engine is designed to maximize performance while reducing fuel use, emissions and maintenance costs. The new fire truck is part of the airport’s work to combat climate change and allows the airport to retire its oldest diesel model.
KCIA’s new hybrid electric fire engine is designed to maximize performance while reducing fuel use, emissions and maintenance costs. The new fire truck is part of the airport’s work to combat climate change and allows the airport to retire its oldest diesel model. Read more about the new fire truck.
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Above, Airport Director John Parrott speaks at a media event unveiling the airport's new hybrid electric airport fire truck on March 11. Photo courtesy of King County Sheriff's Office.
 Deputy Jason Brown, Deputy Jesse Sorrells, Captain Jon Youngblood, Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall, Deputy Adam Currey, Deputy Austin Peterson, and Sergeant Clint Herman of King County Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting. Photo courtesy of King County Sheriff's Office.
 Airport leadership are all smiles at the event. Left to right, Vanessa Chin, Innovation Section Manager; Sean Moran, Airport Operations Manager; John Parrott, Director; Dave Decoteau, Deputy Director; and Matt Sykora, Business Operations Manager.
Middle schoolers get "Future Ready" with help from airport
About 100 middle schoolers from Maple View Middle School in Covington learned about aviation and other careers at “Future Ready Day” last month. Dave Decoteau, deputy director at King County International Airport, shared a new video featuring KCIA with students at the March 14 event.
Ryan Hubbard, Airport Operations Duty Manager, produced the video after Decoteau asked for some support.
“The kids loved that video,” Decoteau said.
Decoteau talked about his career and other opportunities in aviation at the event. Representatives from the King County Sheriff’s Office and other county agencies, Boeing, the Federal Aviation Administration and Blue Origin, among others, attended.
Decoteau said he grew up with an interest in aviation. He remembers riding in a plane when he was in sixth grade, with his best friend’s father, a pilot for Alaska Airlines.
“He let me fly it,” Decoteau said.
“Boeing Field is where it all started,” he added. Decoteau did an internship in high school at KCIA. “And here I am now in leadership.”
He was encouraged by the students’ good questions and their interest.
“These kids are mature enough to start thinking about their future but they’re in an in-between phase between that and being a kid,” he said.
He suggested that the students take a tour of their local airport and invited them to KCIA.
“The kids were really interested in that,” he said.
Photo: A helicopter flew into Maple View Middle School for Future Ready Day.
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Draft Airport Strategic Plan now available for comment
King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA)’s draft 2025-2030 Strategic Plan is now available for review and comment.
Submit comments by 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on April 18, 2025.
Comments can be submitted in three ways:
Background:
KCIA has been working on updating the 2014-2020 Airport Strategic Plan. The updated plan develops a clear strategic focus for what KCIA should do to advance its vision over the next six years and to identify appropriate goals and implement actions that realize this vision. This update is an opportunity to evaluate the airport’s role on a local level and in the regional economy. There has been significant engagement throughout the planning process with KCIA tenants, community members, airport staff and Airport Roundtable members. Get more information on the Airport Strategic Plan.
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