Frequently asked Questions

 

Does the airport ever close?

No! Spokane International Airport is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Even in the event of inclement weather conditions a combination of administrative, operations, police, fire, parking, building and field maintenance employees are on duty. Airlines and other tenants each have their own schedules but typically are not present 24 hours per day. Very infrequently, the runways are closed for maintenance or snow clearing; however, every effort is made to avoid disrupting aviation operations. The Spokane Airport Board has made considerable investments in time and money purchasing and installing sophisticated Instrument Landing and Lighting Systems to enhance the safety and on-time performance of our air carriers. However, decisions to take off or land in questionable weather conditions are largely determined by the individual airlines. Though one may hear or read "the airport is or was closed" that likely is not true.

What is the street or physical address of Spokane International Airport?

The street address for the Terminal Building is 9000 West Airport Drive, Spokane, WA 99224

Why is Spokane’s designator "GEG"

In 1941, the Department of the Defense purchased the area then known as "Sunset Field" from Spokane County for a World War II B-17 and C-47 training facility. Following the acquisition, they renamed the facility Geiger (GEG) Field in honor of Major Harold C. Geiger, a pioneer in Army aviation and ballooning. In 1946, a portion of the airfield was designated a municipal airport, and commercial airline operations were moved from Felts Field to Geiger Field. In 1960, the facility was renamed Spokane International Airport.

Do I need reservations for the airport parking areas and are they safe?

Parking is on a "first come first served basis." However, our approximately, 5,000 parking spaces only begin to reach capacity during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. In addition, we have four different facilities and price structures:

All of our parking facilities are fenced, illuminated and regularly patrolled by airport police and parking employees. The Parking department also offers complimentary battery jumping, car locator, and tire inflation services for our customers. By using the aid phones located throughout each of our parking facilities, travelers can access these services.

>> Parking Rate and Information PAGE

Can 747’s and other large planes land at Spokane International Airport?

Yes! Normally, the critical aircraft operation is take-off, and the runway length required is based on: (1) weight of the aircraft, (2) temperature, and (3) elevation. Since the runway length and elevation are constant, the remaining variable factors - weight of the aircraft and air temperature – are used to determine the take off distance and how far the aircraft can fly nonstop. Each airline (aircraft operator) has different criteria regarding operating under conditions present at the time of flight.

Are there plans to build a third runway?

Yes! Our Airport Layout Plan (ALP) shows a third runway situated southwest and parallel to the existing primary runway, 3/21. However, we are in the processing of changing our ALP to reorient the third runway to be situated parallel with Fairchild Air Force Base’s Runway 5/23. At this time, our aviation operations (take-offs and landings) do not require the addition of a third runway. Design and ground breaking is at least ten to fifteen years away.

How many airplanes land and take off each day at Spokane International Airport?

The Airport currently averages over 290 daily aviation operations. An operation can be either a take-off or a landing. This includes passenger and cargo carriers, general aviation, charter flights and military aircraft.

Will screening equipment ruin my camera film or computer media?

The screening stations located in all concourses utilize multiple technologies for detection of illegal objects. The "arch" you walk under is a magnetometer that detects metal. The belt where you put your carry-on items utilizes x-rays, the strength of which is less than that emitted from a color television set. Photographic film less than 1000 ASA is safe going through this procedure. It is recommended that film faster than 1000 ASA be hand inspected. Laptop computers are also safe utilizing the belt inspection. Disk media files will not be erased.

What are "Skycaps" and how much do you tip them?

Skycaps are people who check your luggage curbside and carry your bags inside the terminal building, and to and from the curb. They are neither work for the airlines or airport, but are contract employees of a third party provider who is hired by all of the air carriers serving Spokane collectively. There is no charge for this service, other than a voluntary gratuity. A standard tip for the Skycap is $1.00 per bag; more if your luggage is very heavy or if you utilize extra services such as escort or wheelchair assistance.

Does the airport offer any special assistance, such as escorts?

Spokane International Airport police will escort travelers to their vehicles when requested.

Does the airport oversee the checkpoint security area where the metal detectors are located?

No! Like the Skycaps, they neither work for the airlines or airport but are Federal employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Because of these arrangements, the airport has no authority over the decisions made by their personnel or the policy procedures that are implemented. Because of the contractual relationship between screening and the carriers, travelers who have an issue with this function are encouraged to contact the airline they are, or were, flying. The TSA's mandated security measures are becoming increasingly more stringent due to domestic and international political instabilities and criminal activities.

Who is responsible for the operation of the airport?

The City and County of Spokane jointly own Spokane International Airport, Felts Field Airport, and the Airport Business Park (Spokane Airports). The operating authority of Spokane Airports is the Spokane Airport Board, consisting of seven appointees from the two governmental bodies. All three facilities are financially self-sufficient from revenues generated from fees, leases and concession agreements. None of the three entities receive, nor are operated with, appropriated tax dollars. With regards to Spokane International Airport, the following is additional information concerning its sources of revenue:

Financing:

Spokane International Airport maintains a residual budget agreement with the airlines serving this market. Under this agreement, the airport deducts from its total annual budget all revenue from non-airline sources. The airlines then are responsible for payment of the remainder (residual) amount, and the rates are set accordingly. The commercial operators and tenants pay rental fees, landing fees, and concession fees (a percentage of gross revenues).

Capital Improvements:

Sale of revenue bonds is funding the current expansion of Concourse C. Those bonds will be re-paid through funds generated by the $3 Passenger Facility Charge in a time period of less than 10 years. In addition, the construction of the parking garage and terminal expansion in the late 1970’s was also financed through revenue bonds and re-paid through the revenue generated by the facility.

Passenger Facility Charge is a $4.50 fee collected on each departing passenger and those making connections through the airport. Congress established the PFC program in 1990 to allow airports to fund development of facilities to increase capacity, improve safety and security, and reduce noise. The FAA must approve each individual construction project.

Airport Improvement Program is an 8% ticket fee collected on each airline ticket. These funds are held in the Aviation Trust Fund and dispensed by the FAA through grants appropriated by Congress.

General Revenues collected from airport generated programs.