Sea-Tac Airport reports record 2011 traffic Seaport cargo volume fell

A record 32.8 million passengers passed through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 2011, up 4 percent from last year, the Port of Seattle reported Thursday. The total includes nearly 3 million international passengers, also a record.

"Sea-Tac is a vital gateway to the region for business travelers and tourists alike," Port President Gael Tarleton said in a news release. "We are committed to supporting its growth while balancing the needs of both the environment and the community."

Port CEO Tay Yoshitani added: "The record number of passengers matters because it means more jobs. Nearly 90,000 people have jobs that are generated by airport activities. Steady growth, coupled with a commitment to environmental sustainability, is very good news for the region."

The previous record was 32.2 million passengers, in 2008. The Port had only expected an increase of 1 percent last year.

"The increase in passengers demonstrates how Sea-Tac Airport is a major economic engine for the region," airport Managing Director Mark Reis said in the release. "The entire team at the airport works to give every passenger great service from parking to plane, and it's exciting to see that service yield record results."

Earlier this week, FlightStats recognized Sea-Tac for having the best departure performance among major international airports.

The port's seaport cargo facilities handled 2.03 million containers and equivalent units, down 5 percent from 2010.

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