Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
10e
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
November 29, 2022
DATE: November 8, 2022
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Robert Giacopetti, Aviation Grants Program Manager, Aviation Finance & Budget
Borgan Anderson, Director, Aviation Finance & Budget
SUBJECT: Introduction and Adoption of Resolution No 3809 Amending the Authorization for
Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) – effective January 1, 2023
Amount of this request:
$0
Total estimated project cost:
$0
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission introduction and adoption of Resolution No. 3809, a resolution of the Port
of Seattle Commission amending resolution No. 3464 authorizing extension of the Passenger
Facility Charge Program at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, effective January 1, 2023.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this request is to extend Commission authorization to continue collecting PFCs
beyond 2022. PFCs are a critical funding source for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
The Port has been collecting PFCs since 1992 and anticipates collecting approximately
$95 million in PFCs in 2023. While the Port’s authority to collect and spend PFCs from the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is based on approved applications that will continue
through approximately January 1, 2043, Port Resolution No. 3464 set an expiration date of
December 31, 2022. With the adoption of this Resolution No. 3809, The Port will maintain the
seamless continuity of the PFC Program at SEA. The effective date is January 1, 2023.
JUSTIFICATION
Once an application to collect and spend PFCs on specific projects is approved by the FAA, an
airport can use the PFCs to either directly pay project costs or pay debt service on the revenue
bonds used to fund the PFC approved projects. It is the Port’s strategy to use PFCs primarily to
pay existing revenue bond debt service for currently approved capital projects. Since costs paid
by PFCs are excluded from airline rate bases, the Port can maximize the savings to airline rates
and charges by using PFCs to pay debt service. The Port currently has FAA PFC authority for the
following projects: Satellite Transit System (completed in 2003), South Terminal Expansion
Project (completed in 2004), Third Runway (completed 2008), In-Line Baggage Screening
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10e Page 2 of 3
Meeting Date: November 29, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
System (completed 2009), North Satellite Reconstruction (completed 2021), and the
International Arrivals Facility (completed 2022). The use of PFCs to pay revenue bond debt
service on these projects has the effect of reducing airline rates and charges since the debt
service paid by PFCs is not included in airline rates and charges (e.g., terminal rents, baggage
fees, or landing fees). This reduces passenger airline cost per enplaned passenger (CPE) and
frees up revenue bond capacity for other capital projects.
The 2023 – 2027 Plan of Finance assumes that the Port would continue to impose a $4.50 PFC
as it has since 2001. Imposing PFCs at the $4.50 level will result in the collection of
approximately $95 million a year.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
1. Allow PFC authorization to end on December 31, 2022. This would mean that annually
approximately $95 million of revenue bond debt service that would otherwise by paid by
PFCs would be added to the airline rate bases, resulting in an increase in terminal rents,
baggage fees and landing fees. CPE would increase by approximately $3.69 and debt service
coverage would decrease by 0.31.
This is not the recommended alternative.
2. Extend the Port’s authority to continue the PFC program. All elements of the Port’s plan of
finance and budgeted airline revenues would be the same as the 2023 proposed budget.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Approval to extend the PFC program will result in the Port collecting approximately $95 million
per year (growing with passenger levels). As noted above, the use of PFCs results in lower
airline costs ($3.69 CPE in 2023) and increased debt service coverage (.31x in 2023). The 2023
budget assumes a continuation of the PFC program so there would be no change.
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
The 2023 Proposed Budget assumes the Port will continue to collect and spend PFCs.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) were authorized by U.S. Congress in the 1990 Aviation safety
and Capacity Expansion Act. In accordance with Part 158 of Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, PFC revenue will be used by eligible airports to finance projects that: preserve or
enhance capacity, safety, or security of the national air transportation system; reduce noise
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10e Page 3 of 3
Meeting Date: November 29, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
resulting from an airport, which is a part of such system; and furnish opportunities for
enhanced competition between and among air carriers.
Previous Commission Resolutions Nos. 3099, 3143, 3199, 3253, and 3464 authorized the
Aviation Director to make applications to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to impose a
PFC at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) and to apply the PFC proceeds for
financing airport capital projects that meet Part 158 requirements. Under Resolution No. 3464,
the existing PFC program imposes a $4.50 charge per enplaned passenger and will expire on
December 31, 2022, unless subsequently extended or amended.
The FAA has approved over $3.8 billion in collection authority since the inception of the
program in late 1992.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Draft Resolution No. 3809
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
September 25, 2001 – The Commission authorized Resolution No. 3464
October 28, 1997 – The Commission authorized Resolution No. 3253
July 25, 1995 – The Commission authorized Resolution No. 3199
May 25, 1993 – The Commission authorized Resolution No. 3143
December 10, 1991 – The Commission authorized Resolution No. 3099
