Port commissioners weigh in on Spokane-Olympia direct flight  

Port of Olympia commissioners shared optimism and concern about the newly announced flight serice between Olympia and Spokane. 

At a meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, two commissioners shared hopeful feedback for the new service by SeaPort Airlines, while one commissioner raised concerns about noise and future demand.

SeaPort Airlines, which is based at Boeing Field in Seattle, announced on Nov. 5  that a new air service connecting Olympia and Spokane would start on Jan. 8. The route marks the return of a direct flight between the two cities for the first time since 2004. 

The flights will run during the course of the Washington Legislature's 2027 session. Flights from Spokane to Olympia will leave at 3:25 p.m. on Sundays and flights from Olympia to Spokane flights will leave at 5:10 p.m. on Fridays. 

During a meeting with the commission, SeaPort Airlines CEO Kent Craford said the service will save valuable time for travelers who usually have to arrive at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. 

Craford added that the airline uses the Pilatus PC-12, a Swiss-built turboprop capable of making the trip between the two cities in about an hour. 

He said the airline uses the smaller aircraft to reach communities not served by larger airlines. 

“I like to say that we're making Washington state smaller again,” Craford said. “It was arguably easier to cross the state 25 years ago than it is now, and that really makes no sense.” 

Determining demand 

Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada asked how Craford determined demand for the route. 

Craford said the airlines relies on aggregated cellphone metadata to track population movements, but noted it does not capture latent demand for long-absent routes. 

“Part of it is you got to take a risk,” Craford said. “We're an entrepreneurial business, and we decided that we think it's worth taking risk on this.” 

Craford also mentioned receiving several inquiries for the service since the airlines started flights to and from Spokane in March. 

Concerns 

Commissioner Krag Unsoeld raised concerns regarding airport noise and the likelihood of more flights coming out of Olympia in the future due to additional demand. 

Craford said the noise generated by the flights will be “statistically insignificant,” noting the Pilatus PC-12 carries a very low noise signature. 

“We're looking at four flight operations per week — two in, two out — and that's in relation to your 1,400 existing operations per week,” Craford said. 

In regards to future demand, Craford said he hopes that demand will increase for the service. 

“If the demand is there, my hope is that we extend this beyond the legislative session,” Craford said. “My hope is that we expand the frequencies and … the number of destinations.” 

Commissioner Joel Hansen, who said that he lives near the airport, said he had no concern about the service and was even optimistic about further demand. 

“I do hope that there's a demand and that you're able to increase (flights),” said Hansen to Craford. 

Vasavada echoed the sentiment.

“I firmly believe the people of Thurston County are our greatest resource, and helping them move more efficiently and comfortably to places they need or want to go is an incredible gift to the community,” Vasavada said.