Washington(WA)

Washington State’s strategy is built on the twin pillars of aerospace manufacturing excellence and aggressive decarbonization. Managed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation Division, the state is focusing on "Regional Air Mobility" (RAM) to connect its geographically isolated communities and Puget Sound islands.

Infrastructure and Regulatory Framework

As of January 2026, Washington is implementing the 2026-2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which for the first time includes dedicated line items for electric aviation charging infrastructure.

• Grid Readiness: A key strategic move in late 2025 was the proposed State Transmission Authority, designed to ensure that airports and potential vertiport sites have the high-voltage capacity required for rapid eVTOL fleet charging without straining local utilities.
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Hydrogen: Washington’s strategy is unique in its "multi-fuel" approach, supporting not only battery-electric flight but also hydrogen-electric powertrains for longer regional hops (e.g., Seattle to Spokane).

Pilot Programs and Manufacturer Support

The state leverages its proximity to the Boeing ecosystem and a cluster of electric propulsion startups.

• The Cascadia Corridor: WSDOT is collaborating with British Columbia and Oregon to study a "Green Flight Corridor" that would allow for cross-border electric aircraft operations by 2027.
• Decarbonization Grants: The Clean Energy Fund has awarded over $12 million to date for the electrification of ground support equipment and the installation of Beta-standard chargers at five key regional airports, including Snohomish County (Paine Field).

Strategic Initiatives and Resources

• WSDOT Aviation AAM Planning: wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/aam
• AAM National Strategy Coordination: transportation.gov/aam-strategy