PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.      7b 
STAFF BRIEFING 
Date of Meeting     February 9, 2016 
DATE:    February 1, 2016 
TO:      Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:    Michael Ehl, Director, Aviation Operations 
SUBJECT:  South Satellite Narrow-body Aircraft Gating Briefing 
SYNOPSIS 
In anticipation of a significant aircraft gate capacity deficiency in coming years, Airport
staff has identified a number of potential modifications, which could potentially serve to
mitigate the gate shortage presently forecasted. Specific to this briefing is the
identification of three narrow-body aircraft parking positions in the footprint of the
existing South Satellite ramp area in the near-term and how it will benefit passengers and
airlines; a review of construction alternatives explored to add  the positions; and
recommended next steps for delivering the project. 
BACKGROUND 
With the rapid growth in enplanements and operations at Sea-Tac Airport expected to
continue, and with the upcoming construction activities that will take existing gates out of
service during construction for several years, the Airport will experience a severe
shortage of contact gates, i.e., gates with a passenger loading bridge connection between
the aircraft and terminal building. 
The Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) calculations forecast the need for 11-13
hardstand parking positions (narrow-body equivalents) by 2020. During SAMP's review
of South Satellite gating, an opportunity was identified to provide additional narrow-body
parking positions in advance of the construction of new SAMP facilities. The South
Satellite Narrow-body (SSAT NB) Project was conceived to seize that opportunity and
reduce the need for hardstand operations. 
Staff has been working, and will continue to work, with airlines to identify projects or
operational modifications that can mitigate or delay the need for remote hardstand
enplaning and deplaning of passengers. At the December Airline Airport Affairs
Committee (AAAC) meeting, all airlines in attendance expressed strong support for the
SSAT NB Project. After the AAAC meeting, a Majority in Interest ballot was distributed, 
and on January 22, 2016 staff received notice of approval for this project. 


Template revised May 30, 2013.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
February 1, 2016 
Page 2 of 2 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING 
Computer slide presentation 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
May 26, 2015  2016-2020 Aviation Business Plan Discussion 
April 28, 2015  Sustainable Airport Master Plan Update (Focus on Hardstand
operations challenge 2016-2024) 
January 27, 2015  Sustainable Airport Master Plan Update 
October 7, 2014  Sustainable Airport Master Plan Activity Forecast and
Facilities Challenges Briefing