Bremerton National Airport | Port of Bremerton

Commercial Air Service and Cargo Feasibility Study Open House

September 2025 update



Welcome and Overview

Since July 2024, the Port of Bremerton has been exploring the feasibility of introducing limited commercial passenger or cargo service at Bremerton National Airport (PWT). This analysis is in response to community interest we have heard in these services, and in keeping with our mission to increase economic development and improve local quality of life.


Why do this study now?

Many in our community are aware that the State of Washington has been studying airports around the state in the context of relieving pressure on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). This study is separate from the work of others.

 

The Port has received state funding to pursue initial research on whether there is a viable market for expanding services at PWT and what may be the effects to the surrounding community. The Port is conducting its own study, independent of larger influences, to have a conversation with our community and focus on what would be best for our residents.


How far along is the study?

In early 2025, the consultant team presented their research on the market feasibility of commercial passenger and cargo service at PWT (Phase 1). The findings suggested that while cargo service at PWT is unlikely to find a viable market, there may be sufficient demand for commercial passenger service to justify exploring it further.


The Port Commission voted on March 11 to direct Port staff to continue to study the feasibility of providing limited commercial passenger service at PWT. Please read on for details about Phase 1 of the study, the community input we received, and next steps in Phase 2.


What we studied in Phase 1

This first phase of study looked at the market opportunities of commercial passenger and cargo service at Bremerton National Airport.


To perform this analysis, our consultant team looked into:

  • Regional and industry air service and travel trends
  • The potential regional area of passenger demand
  • Cargo export and imports by state, country, and commodity
  • Benchmarking against peer states and airports


On Feb. 25, the consultant team presented our Commissioners with an update on the results of this analysis. You can watch the recording of the meeting on the Port’s website. Keep reading below for a summary of the findings.

Market feasibility results

Cargo service recommendation:

Not recommended for additional study


Rationale:

  • PWT’s relative distance to I-5 and major population centers make it unattractive to potential air cargo partners. 
  • Only 0.1% of 2023 WA exports originated in the Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard area – not enough to sustain scheduled or charter air cargo service.
  • Cargo service at PWT would not achieve local or state economic planning objectives.
  • SEA still has capacity to increase cargo volumes so competition from SEA would remain challenging.

Commercial passenger service recommendation: 

There is sufficient potential demand to warrant further exploration.


Rationale:

  • Data analysis points at demand from PWT’s catchment area being ~2.6% of SEA air travel.
  • Select markets are large enough for service consideration.
  • Some comparable airports have succeeded in starting commercial service but it is a multi-year effort.
  • Hurdles to new service will include industry trends currently suppressing growth and demonstrating the viability of travelers using PWT over SEA.


  • Additional detail from Phase 1 commercial passenger assessment:

    In Phase 1 we studied PWT’s potential demand region (the catchment area):


    • Catchment areas are typically 90-120 minutes by car from the airport.

    • In multi-airport catchments, studies have shown airports similar to PWT have compacted catchments due to nonstop flight offerings at the other, larger airport (SEA).

    • While areas west of PWT are closer to PWT than SEA, studies have shown passengers will drive to the larger airport when drive time differences become marginal.















    Top potential markets from PWT:

    • Highest-demand markets are leisure and sun destinations (Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix).
    • Destinations with Naval bases (San Diego, Norfolk, Honolulu) generate a larger share of SEA demand from the PWT catchment area than other domestic markets.
    • Market demand significantly decreases for destinations east of Denver.









What we heard from our community in Phase 1

Our community’s interests and priorities for Bremerton National Airport are a crucial part of this study. In fall 2024 we distributed a digital survey asking our community to weigh the potential benefits and impacts of commercial passenger or cargo service at PWT.


These results were shared with the Board of Commissioners in December 2024 to consider alongside the results of the market feasibility study.

2025 Comment Period

In February 2025 the Port shared the findings of the market feasibility study with the public. Community members were invited to attend the Feb. 25 Board of Commissioners meeting to hear a presentation on the study, offer verbal or written comment, and chat with Port and consultant staff in an information session afterward.


We updated this website with the Phase 1 findings and opened a digital survey to collect additional community input on whether the Phase 1 findings changed our community’s priorities or concerns regarding the airport.


We closed the public comment period on March 6 and shared all input with the Board for consideration.


Results of the Spring 2025 Public Information Session and Comment Period

Approximately 20 people attended the meeting on Feb. 25 in person, along with a few virtual participants. Ten people spoke during the public comment portion of the Commission meeting and four submitted written comments via the comment box. Following the meeting, 12 additional comments were shared via the online open house, along with one email and a handful of comments on social media related to the study.

Comments were grouped into the following themes:


Potential Benefits 

  • Easier travel options
  • Closer airport pick-ups and drop-offs for visiting family and friends
  • Increased economic investment in the area
  • Opportunity to improve traffic conditions
  • Local job opportunities


Concerns

  • Worsening traffic on Highway 3
  • Increased noise and pollution from larger planes
  • Cost of new infrastructure to taxpayers
  • Flights out of PWT being too expensive to choose over flights out of SEA
  • Potential for displacing existing airport tenants, including military and civil air patrol pilot training programs
  • Limited representation for people living in Belfair (outside the Port’s district) 



What Happens Next?


The Board of Commissioners has directed Port staff to pursue Phase 2 of the study. Port staff and the consultant team will continue to investigate the feasibility of limited commercial passenger service, including:


  • Potential local and highway traffic impacts*
  • Noise impacts from introducing new service*
  • What infrastructure the Port would need to build
  • Potential funding sources for airport improvements*
  • More detail on potential market opportunities

*Topics of broad community interest during Phase 1. 


Conducting a second phase of study does not mean the Port will begin any new services at Bremerton National Airport. Significant work would remain between the conclusion of Phase 2 and the start of any new service, including:

  • Securing funding sources
  • State and federal environmental review
  • Permitting
  • Design and construction of any required infrastructure


There is also no guarantee that any air service carriers will agree to operate at Bremerton National Airport. The Port will also seek additional public input during many of these steps.

What types of air service are we examining?


Commercial passenger service refers to carriers who sell tickets to one or multiple destinations.

Cargo service refers to aircraft carrying cargo as part of supply chain logistics.

Today Bremerton National Airport (PWT) is served by Gulfstream V aircraft (below at left). An Embraer E175 (below at right) is representative of the type of aircraft that might provide commercial passenger service. A Boeing 737-800W (at bottom) is provided for scale as an example of an aircraft likely too large to serve PWT.

BOEING 737-800W

Common commercial aircraft serving small to large-hub commerical service airports (NOT EXPECTED AT PWT).

GULFSTREAM V

Business jet currently operating at PWT.

EMBRAER E175

Common commercial aircraft serving non-hub/regional commercial service airports.

Project Timeline - Phase 1

July 2024

Begin market feasibility study

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October – November 2024

Online open house and community priorities survey 

November 2024 – January 2025

Review survey results, continue feasibility study

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February 2025

  • Commission hears results of feasibility study
  • Public information session and web updates

March 2025

Commission votes to move forward with Phase 2 (commercial passenger only)

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Phase 2

September 2025 – Summer 2026 (we are here)

  • Discussions with air carriers to examine potential market opportunities
  • Study noise impacts and local and highway traffic impacts to Highway 3
  • Identify infrastructure needs, rough costs, and potential funding sources
  • Investigate community needs and impacts
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Later in 2026

  • Share Phase 2 findings in an online open house for public comment
  • Hold an in-person open house to discuss Phase 2 findings
  • Compile all feedback into a summary to present to the Board of Commissioners

Future work – if approved by Commissioners

2027-2029

  • Environmental (NEPA) process (includes additional community input)


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2029-2030s

Design and construction

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TBD

  • Start of new service (dependent upon many factors, including carrier interest and airport readiness)
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Thank you and next steps

Thank you to everyone who has engaged with the Port as we’ve begun this feasibility study. All the feedback we’ve received has been shared with the Port’s Commissioners. We will continue to provide updates as the study progresses.