Aviation

Washington's aviation system is an economic asset. It connects Washington's communities, no matter how remote, providing critical links to people, goods, and services. WSDOT Aviation provides vital financial assistance to 134 public-use airports across the state in the form of airport development and maintenance grants and capital construction loans. The state's airports range in size from small airports to large commercial service airports. WSDOT Aviation is directly responsible for the management of 15 airports within the system. The agency is also responsible for the management of air search and rescue operations, as well as for providing education and training in relation to unmanned aircraft systems, and the value and protection of public use airports.

Multi-year trends

Aircraft registration:

• Aircraft registrations increased 9.7% from 6,860 in 2020 to 7,522 in 2024
• WSDOT has registered at least 95% of all aircraft in the state for 19 years in a row

Passengers & cargo moved:

• Passenger departures from Seattle-Tacoma International increased 167.4% from 9.5 million in 2020 to 25.4 million in 2024, significant increase from pandemic year and surpassed pre-pandemic level
• Statewide air cargo tonnage decreased by 3.0% from 2.01 million tons in 2020 to 1.93 million tons in 2024

Airport aid grants:

• Between fiscal years 2020 and 2024, WSDOT leveraged approximately $1.47 million in state money to secure $27.4 million in federal grants and support 23 projects at 21 airports in FY2025

Community Aviation Revitalization Board (CARB) Loans:

• Between 2019 and 2024, WSDOT awarded $13.3 million in CARB funds for 23 projects at public-use airports supporting Washington's system of airports