Bremerton National Airport | Port of Bremerton

Commercial Air Service and Cargo Feasibility Study Open House

February 2025 update

Welcome and Overview

The Port of Bremerton is in the early stages of 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?

This is the first time the Port has conducted a market feasibility study like this for PWT. There is continued interest as to whether a regional-size airport for this area is practical. 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 the initial research as to whether this may be a viable market and what may be the effects to the surrounding community. The Port wants to conduct its own study, independent of larger influences, to start a conversation with our community and focus on what would be best for our residents.

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

What Happens Next?

The Board of Commissioners is expected at a future Commission meeting to vote on whether to direct Port staff to pursue Phase 2 of the study. If directed, the Port and its consultants would study a number of topics in greater detail, including:

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

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).

Project Timeline - Phase 1

Future work – if approved by Commissioners

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 provide an update after the Commission provides direction about any next steps in the study.