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Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Sea-Tac expands global reach with nonstop flight to Rome
A slew of new nonstop routes around the world, including one to Rome, is turning SEA into a true global gateway. Why it matters: Seattle is quickly shedding its status as a secondary international hub with the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport positioning itself as a serious player in the global aviation network. Plus: Seattleites love to travel! Driving the news: Alaska Airlines announced plans this week to launch nonstop service from Seattle to Rome — the first direct flight between the Emerald City and the Eternal City and the airline's first transatlantic route. The route will begin in May 2026 and operate four times a week aboard Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Rome is among the most-requested European destinations by Alaska Mileage Plan members, according to the Seattle-based carrier. It is also the largest in Europe without nonstop service from Seattle. Also, Edelweiss Air began nonstop service to Zurich on Monday, and SAS started nonstop service to Copenhagen last month. Zoom in: Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci, the son of Italian immigrants, called the Rome route "a dream come true." "Our guests have been asking for an easy way to get to Italy for years," he said in a written statement. The big picture: Sea-Tac has added new international service over the past two years, including flights to Taipei, Beijing and Chongqing, Munich, Manila, Liberia, Costa Rica, Toronto, and Tokyo, per the airport. By the numbers: As of this month, Sea-Tac is offering nonstop flights to 36 international destinations, according to spokesperson Perry Cooper of the Port of Seattle. That's up from 26 destinations in 2019. Between the lines: The Rome announcement marks the third new intercontinental destination unveiled by Alaska in the last year. The move is part of a broader expansion strategy following the Seattle-based carrier's acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines' wide-body aircraft, per Alaska. Other European destinations being considered by Alaska include London, Paris, and Berlin.
Toronto Sun
06-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Police search for fugitive who escaped from Seattle's airport in handcuffs
Published May 05, 2025 • 1 minute read FILE - A control tower at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is shown, April 13, 2018, at in Seattle. Photo by Ted S. Warren / AP SEATTLE (AP) — A man fled custody inside Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and was able to take a light rail train into the city, authorities said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Port of Seattle police were notified around 11 a.m. Sunday that a man had escaped from the airport while he was being taken to Kentucky, where he was wanted on warrants. In a statement, airport spokesperson Perry Cooper said a 'contracted agent' lost control of the suspect during the check-in process at the ticket counter and that he fled toward the light rail station. Cooper referred additional questions to authorities in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Seattle Times reported the man fled in handcuffs. Officials said Port of Seattle police confirmed through video camera images that the man had boarded the train headed north, and security with Sound Transit confirmed he was seen leaving a station in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Authorities searched baggage claim and other parts of the airport, and operations at the airport weren't affected, the statement says. Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Federal Elections Columnists Canada
Axios
11-02-2025
- General
- Axios
U.S. air traffic controller shortage affects Washington state
A huge share of the country's air traffic control facilities are understaffed, including in Washington state, per the most recent FAA data. Why it matters: January's midair collision between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter is bringing fresh attention to the longstanding staffing shortages. It's unclear if such shortages played a role in the incident, which claimed 67 lives, but investigators will surely consider that. Zoom in: In Washington state, all seven air control towers included in the FAA's recent report were failing to meet their staffing goals. The FAA aims to employ 201 certified air traffic controllers across those seven facilities in Washington, but had only 148 working as of September 2023. How it works: The staffing numbers come from the FAA's 2024–2033 air traffic controller workforce plan, and include fully certified controllers and recently transferred controllers who are certified but learning the ins and outs of a new facility. Controllers in training who have not yet been fully certified are not included. By the numbers: The nation's airport control towers and approach/departure facilities had 7,047 certified controllers as of September 2023. That's nearly 2,000 short of an 8,966-controller goal set jointly by the FAA and the air traffic controllers union. Of 313 FAA facilities included in the report, only 23 met or exceeded their staffing goal. Case in point: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport had a shortage of five air traffic controllers at its tower, where the FAA aims to employ 33 controllers. What they're saying: Sea-Tac Airport spokesperson Perry Cooper referred questions to the FAA, which is in charge of hiring air traffic controllers. In an emailed statement to Axios, the FAA said hiring more air traffic controllers is "a top priority." The intrigue: The FAA report was unavailable on the agency's website as of early February — perhaps swept up in a broader purge of government data tied to an executive order from President Trump. Axios obtained it using the Wayback Machine, a service that archives websites and documents posted online. At least part of the full report appears to be back online as of Feb. 7. The latest: In the wake of January's disaster, President Trump called for sweeping air traffic control overhauls, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy welcomed Elon Musk's DOGE team to take a look under the hood. But Trump's actual plan remains unclear — and any major changes to the highly complex air traffic control system would take years to implement safely. Context: The FAA has ramped up recruitment efforts, but the path to becoming a fully certified controller is long and arduous. Many trainees wash out, those who make it through initial training don't fully control where they end up stationed, and controllers must pass regular medical checks for their entire careers. Controllers generally must retire at age 56, causing constant attrition. What we're watching: Hiring may be further dampened because of the uncertainty of entering the federal workforce as the Trump administration appears eager to cut as many government workers as it can.
