Press release:
For the second year in a row, flight tracking company FlightStats has honored Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as the winner of its 2011 On-time Performance Award in the category of major international airports.

Sea-Tac also finished as a finalist in the category for major North American airports. FlightStats documents the on-time performance of airlines at airport worldwide, and annually honors the outstanding achievers. Airports are recognized for delivering the highest percentage of departures from the gate less than 15 minutes after the published scheduled departure time.

“The investments we've made improving our facilities and operations continue to pay off," said Mark Reis, Managing Director of Sea-Tac Airport. "Credit goes to the efficiencies built into the airfield, terminal and runway operations as well as the terrific work from the entire team of port employees and our operational partners."


Sea-Tac achieved a 2011 on-time performance record of 86.28%. The average on-time performance was 71.02% for the category of major international airports, which includes airports that have a significant number of trans-oceanic or international departures spanning at least three continents with at least 91,250 departures operated annually (250 departures per day).

“In 2011, seven of the fifteen winners had previously received the award,” says Jeff Kennedy, FlightStats CEO. “It has become very clear from our discussions with on-time performance winners around the world that achieving sustained operational excellence requires a focused effort from all employees.”


Sea-Tac invested millions of dollars in improvements in buildings, runways and facilities to improve the operational efficiency of the airport.

Key operational ingredients of its on-time performance are:

• Strong operational performance by all airline partners, notably Alaska Air Group, Sea-Tac’s largest carrier, which was recognized for arrival performance among major North American airlines.

• The 2006 opening of Sea-Tac’s ramp tower, which directs aircraft traffic on the ramp and to gates, thus increasing the efficiency of aircraft movement to and from the runways and reducing fuel cost, taxi time and emissions.

• Completion of the 100% in-line baggage screening system in 2008 which increased the efficient delivery of bags from ticket counters to aircraft.

• And, finally, the 2008 opening of the third runway for additional operational flexibility.

For more information on the FlightStats OPS Awards, visit their website. Explore Sea-Tac's website.