Latest news with #PortofSeattle
Geek Wire
25-07-2025
- Geek Wire
Self-driving shuttle being tested at Seattle airport for trek between terminal and light rail station
A driverless shuttle, pictured here with a quality assurance engineer onboard, makes the run on the walkway between the Sound Transit light rail station and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of a 90-day test pilot. (SEA Photo) Travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) looking for some relief from the walk between the Link light rail station and the airport terminal could soon hop on a driverless shuttle. The airport is currently testing a 90-day pilot program — the first of its kind at a major airport, according to a Port of Seattle spokesperson. A low-speed, electric-golf-cart-style vehicle is used to carry passengers and their baggage. Made by a company called Carteav, the vehicles are widely used at resorts and theme parks around the nation. They rely on navigation technology, sensors and computer vision and are intended to work safely in areas with pedestrians. During the pilot, the carts are occupied by a quality assurance engineer at all times. The program is running in conjunction with a current driver-provided cart between the light rail and the terminal. According to SEA, the distance between the airport and the light rail station is 950 feet. That's equivalent to a New York City block, 379 steps on a pedometer, or hole No. 6 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, the airport says. But that walk has been a sore spot for travelers who have expressed 'a strong desire for more service between these two locations to help with mobility and accessibility, predictability, and ease,' according to SEA. A blog post on the airport website further explains why there's no moving walkway, why the station wasn't built closer to the airport, and more. A new ground transportation center is included in the Port's Sustainable Airport Master Plan and would feature an indoor moving walkway — as seen at 2:45 in this video. The autonomous carts are scheduled to run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. SEA will be gathering feedback from travelers on-site with surveys for pedestrians in the area as well as those who use the vehicle in testing. Self-driving, electric wheelchairs are already in use at the airport for mobility challenged travelers.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Yahoo
Reported threat at Sea-Tac Airport closes two runways, suspect in custody
Police and fire departments of the Port of Seattle are investigating a reported threat made aboard an aircraft on a runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Saturday. According to a Port of Seattle travel alert, police and firefighters arrived to investigate the incident — which involved an aircraft on the 16R/34L runway — around 1:00 p.m. Saturday. According to a Saturday afternoon statement released by port spokesperson Chris Guizlo, Seattle Police learned of a threat made by a passenger to Alaska Airlines flight 2123 departing to Walla Walla. According to the statement, flight crew followed protocol to taxi the aircraft to the outboard runway furthest from the terminal as police arrived to investigate. As a result, two runways were closed around 1:16 p.m. and passengers on the flight were deplaned and put through a security screening around 1:34 p.m. Passengers, baggage and the aircraft were cleared through K9 inspection, and no suspicious items were found, according to the statement. According to the statement, a suspect was taken into custody. Further investigation found 'made a flippant remark regarding a bomb' to the flight crew. All such remarks are taken seriously and investigated, according to the Port of Seattle statement. The FBI and port police are reviewing the incident and will work with prosecutors to decide whether to pursue charges, according to the statement. As of 1:58 p.m., Port of Seattle updated their travel alert to state all passengers have been deplaned and the center runway had been reopened. According to the statement, the aircraft was cleared by 3 p.m. and towed back to the terminal, and runway 16R/34L was reopened by 3:15 p.m. At 3:19 p.m., the Port of Seattle issued another update announcing that the airport would return to normal operations. Travelers are advised to monitor their airlines for further information on their specific flights. Editor's note: This story has been updated to include new information about the nature of the aircraft incident.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Alaska Airlines passenger causes ground stop at Seattle Airport after making 'direct threat' to plane
Panic rippled through Seattle Airport on Saturday afternoon when a passenger aboard an Alaska Airlines flight allegedly issued a 'direct threat to the safety of the aircraft,' prompting an immediate ground stop and a swift response by police. Authorities say a threat was made just moments before takeoff on a Horizon Air flight bound for Walla Walla. The aircraft was still taxiing on the tarmac before it was suddenly redirected away from the terminal and surrounded by emergency response units. Two major runways were shut down, and inbound flights were temporarily halted as Port of Seattle police descended on the scene. A statement from Alaska Airlines clarified: 'While the aircraft was taxiing to the runway, a passenger made a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft while speaking with a flight attendant.' The specifics of the threat have not yet been disclosed, but officials say the nature of the passenger's words was serious enough to trigger a full security response. The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, was taken into custody without incident. Law enforcement personnel swept the aircraft while passengers were ordered to disembark and undergo secondary security screening. A bomb-sniffing dog checked every passenger as they lined up single-file outside the plane. As the investigation unfolded, airport operations ground to a halt, reports KING5 Seattle. The Port of Seattle confirmed that two runways were closed during the police response, causing widespread ripple effects across Sea-Tac's flight schedule. At least six flights were canceled outright, and two others were diverted mid-air. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Port of Seattle authorities worked in tandem to secure the aircraft and re-screen passengers. Alaska Airlines stated the affected plane will remain out of service until it has been fully cleared under 'enhanced security measures.'
Fox News
14-06-2025
- Fox News
Passenger in custody after 'direct threat' to airplane shuts down Seattle Airport runways
One suspect is in police custody and all departures were delayed after a passenger made a "direct threat" to the safety of an Alaska Airlines aircraft Saturday at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Alaska Airlines confirmed to Fox News Digital there was a security incident at about 1 p.m. involving Alaska Airlines Flight 2123, operated by Horizon Air from Seattle to Walla Walla, Washington. "During taxi to the runway, a guest made a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft to one of our flight attendants," a spokesperson said. "Our crew members followed their procedures and secured the aircraft on a runway away from the airport." Local and federal law enforcement were immediately notified and approached the aircraft. FBI Seattle confirmed to Fox News Digital it responded along with the Port of Seattle Police Department. One suspect, who has not yet been identified, is in custody, according to the Port of Seattle and the airline. The Federal Aviation Administration later issued a ground stop "due to security." Two runways were closed after the incident, leaving just one open. Due to the threat, Alaska Airlines said at least six flights were canceled and two others were diverted. "We are working to get all guests to their destinations safely and as quickly as possible," a spokesperson said. The nature of the incident is unclear. There were 68 passengers and four crew members onboard, according to Alaska Airlines. Passengers were safely deplaned and will be returned to the terminal after a security screening, according to the Port of Seattle. The aircraft will be subject to security measures before continuing, Alaska Airlines said.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
New checkpoint at SEA expected to have travelers fly through security
A new TSA checkpoint at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is now open at the south end of the main terminal, according to a release from the Port of Seattle. Checkpoint 1 is on the baggage claim level of the terminal, a floor below all other security checkpoints at SEA, and features five screening lanes to allow travelers to go through TSA more efficiently. Open from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., the new checkpoint only allows general screening, not TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, according to the Port of Seattle. SeaTac advises that flyers can use both the upper departures and lower arrivals decks when getting to the airport during peak travel hours. If not checking a bag, a quick way to get through security is to use the lower arrivals drive close to doors 4 and 6 to get right to Checkpoint 1 on the baggage claim level. For more information on the new TSA checkpoint at SEA, visit
