✈️ KBFI and KPDX Traffic Rises in Tandem During the Short-Term Window
From August 2 to September 1, 2026, business aviation movements at both KBFI and KPDX exceeded the previous 30-day period, showing no airport-to-airport shift in which one airport grew while the other contracted. Avi-Go data shows that KBFI recorded 2,268 departures and 2,335 arrivals during the period, totaling 4,603 movements, or a daily average of 148.5 movements, up 64.8% from the daily average of 90.1 movements between July 3 and August 1. Average daily departures and arrivals increased by 62.6% and 67.0%, respectively. During the same period, KPDX recorded 619 departures and 624 arrivals, totaling 1,243 movements, or a daily average of 40.1 movements, up 89.4% from 21.2 movements in the previous 30 days. Average daily departures and arrivals increased by 87.2% and 91.7%, respectively. At the airport level, each departure and each arrival is counted as one movement.
Impact: Departure and arrival volumes at both airports increased during the same window, so the associated ground-handling requirements should be addressed based on each airport’s incremental traffic rather than by allocating resources under the assumption of traffic shifting between the airports. KBFI added an average of 58.4 movements per day during the period, exceeding KPDX’s increase of 18.9 movements per day and having a greater direct impact on local ground services, stand turnover, and peak-period operations planning.
Recommendation: KBFI service providers can reschedule apron personnel and vehicle shifts during high-traffic periods based on the recent daily average of 148.5 movements. KPDX should continue monitoring whether the daily average for the full month of September can remain near 40 movements and adjust on-site ground-handling rosters in line with changes in both departures and arrivals.