Air traffic restrictions due to emergency maintenance on Air Traffic Control Tower
Aircraft arrivals and departures at King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) could be severely limited during emergency maintenance on the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT).
Air traffic controllers at KCIA are operating out of a temporary tower while repairs are underway on the existing ATCT's roof stormwater drainage system. To safely complete this work, the tower cab was vacated on November 4 and is closed during construction activities. The repair work is expected to last about one month, but the airport will be working as quickly as possible so that operations can return to normal.
While the temporary tower will allow for continued airport operations, it has limited operational capabilities compared to the permanent facility. As a result, aircraft arriving and departing KCIA will be restricted during the repairs. The FAA is setting up a different temporary tower that may bring additional capabilities, but the details and exact timing are not yet determined.
The tower at KCIA is owned and maintained by the airport, but staffed and operated by federal (FAA) employees. FAA controllers recently reported a water leak within the tower cab. In response, the airport patched the tower roof; however, water intrusion continued despite those repairs. The goal is to provide a long-term solution to the leaks and maintain a safe and reliable working environment for air traffic control personnel. Airport staff are coordinating closely with the FAA to minimize disruptions and complete the repairs as quickly as possible.
Anticipated Operational Impacts
- Arrivals could be reduced to just a few per hour at King County International Airport-Boeing Field (BFI) depending on conditions.
- Arrivals could also be reduced to between 32 and 38 per hour at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) because the two airports coordinate and share airspace.
- Pilots should anticipate using the Area Navigation (RNAV) Approach into the airport due to the limited capabilities of the temporary tower.
- No pattern work permitted.
- No Visual Flight Rules (VFR) transitions through the airspace.
- No Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) available.
- Delays in clearance delivery can be expected.
- Additional traffic management initiatives, restrictions, and delays may be implemented as necessary to support safe operations.
More information
Photo: The temporary ATCT being prepared for service at King County International Airport
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Comment period extended for Taxiway B Relocation Project
King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) is preparing to rehabilitate its primary runway, Runway 14R/32L, and to relocate Taxiway B to meet current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards. Community members, airport tenants, and other interested parties are invited to share input by December 4 at 5 p.m. on the Draft Environmental Assessment which analyzes potential environmental impacts from the project. The airport, in coordination with the FAA, has extended the public comment period by three weeks from the previous November 13 deadline.
KCIA held a scoping open house in April and incorporated applicable public comments into the Draft Environmental Assessment. KCIA will consider the input collected during the scoping phase while it develops the Environmental Assessment.
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Photos:
Above, Eric Miller, Capital Project Manager, talks with an attendee at the October 14 open house.
Below, Matt Sykora, Airport Business Manager, explains one of the alternatives at the open house.
The airport conducted two open houses, one virtual and one in-person, on the project on October 14. You can watch a recording of the virtual open house and see the presentation, along with other details of the environmental assessment, online.
Submit comments to Eric Miller, Capital Project Manager, KCIA via email or postal mail:
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Airport conducts successful emergency exercise
 Above, smoke (generated by "smoke grenades") billows from airplane parts at the start of an emergency exercise at King County International Airport-Boeing Field on October 21. The smoke used has no negative effects on human health and was part of many efforts to simulate an airplane accident, including volunteers with mock injuiries.
Volunteers lay on the ground, decked out in realistic makeup to look like bleeding wounds. Some wandered around in shock.
Smoke billowed from aircraft parts strewn on the runway.
King County Sheriff's Office Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) engines drove in with lights flashing and sirens blaring, accompanied by mutual aid from around the region.
Except for the tent of observers on the far south end of the airfield, it looked almost like a real aircraft accident, if you weren't close enough to see that the airplane parts were on top of wood pallets or other platforms.
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The full-scale exercise, held on October 21, was designed to give Airport Operations, ARFF and their mutual aid partners an opportunity to test out their response plans.
Media were invited to observe the drill. Airport and KCSO communications staff, along with King County Emergency Management, got in a bit of crisis communications practice as well.
Exercises such as this help airport employees, ARFF and mutual aid partners prepare in case of an actual accident or other airport emergency.
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Save the date: Final open house for Vision 2045 December 15
King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) is wrapping up the Vision 2045 Airport Plan and the Part 150 Study, both aimed at shaping the future of the airport. On December 15, you're invited to the final Vision 2045 Airport Plan Open House. Drop in anytime between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at KCIA Flight Service Station (6526 Ellis Ave. S.) to:
- Review the environmental screening and financial feasibility analysis of the Vision 2045 preferred alternative
- Share your input with the study team
- Learn about next steps for finalizing the Vision 2045 Airport Plan
Registration on the study website is optional.
Review the latest study happenings in the October Quarterly Newsletter. If you have questions or comments for the Vision 2045 Airport Plan and Part 150 Study team, share them on the study website or email KCIACommunityOutreach@kingcounty.gov.
Thank you to everyone who has shared and contributed their time, insight, and thoughtful feedback over the past several years. Your input has helped shape the Vision 2045 Airport Plan to reflect community needs and priorities.
Andrea Swinford earns Master of Science in Aviation Management
Andrea Swinford, Airport Duty Manager, received a Master of Science in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University recently. She did so while moving across the country and starting a new job at King County International Airport, primarily working third shift.
“I don’t normally boast, so I’m happy to say I am so incredibly proud of myself,” Swinford wrote in a LinkedIn post. “This is something I never thought I would have been capable of. Incredibly excited for my future and the learning never stops!”
Congratulations!
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Silvana Barrera promoted to Airport Duty Manager
Silvana Barrera was recently promoted to Airport Duty Manager and officially took off in that role on October 26. Congratulations!
“Becoming an Airport Duty Manager at my favorite airport is a dream come true,” Barrera said. “I feel ready and excited to take on new challenges, lead projects, and embrace greater responsibilities. I look forward to continuing to contribute to my team, supporting our airport’s operations, and growing my career here.”
Barrera expressed gratitude to her colleagues and airport leadership for their mentorship and support.
“Their guidance has played an important role in my professional growth, and I am excited to continue learning from them as I take on this new chapter in my career,” she added.
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AAAE ACT Workforce Development Guidebook now available
King County International Airport-Boeing Field collaborated with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Mead and Hunt, and other airports in the Airport Consortium on Transportation (ACT) on a new industry resource focused on helping airports address workforce challenges and build a more resilient aviation workforce.
The guidebook is now available in the ACT repository for airport and industry partners.
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Are you ready for winter weather?
 KCIA held its annual winter operations pre-season meetings on October 29. The briefings explained how airport employees are preparing equipment, reviewing training, and getting ready for inclement weather.
Get more information about Inclement Weather Operations on the Tenant Information page:
Airport gets a five-star review
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A reviewer on Google, Carole Lindner, recently posted:
Excellent terminal for Kenmore Air (and a few others) flights. Efficient, friendly service. THE Most amazing fudge in the Seattle area in available in the public lobby. Worth a trip even if you don't have a flight on a given day.
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