Contact: Sandy Ward, Marketing Director
Office (425)438-8100
Fax (425)265-9808
sandy@futureofflight.org
Date: January 11, 2008

2007 a Record Year for Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour

Mukilteo, Wash – January 11, 2008– The Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour, one of Washington State’s premier visitor attractions, served 186,625 visitors from around the world in 2007, a 26% increase over the previous year. Over two-thirds of those visitors were from other US States, Canada and overseas destinations injecting new money into the local economy. Just under one-third of visitors to the facility were Washington State residents.

The Future of Flight Aviation Center is a public facility, funded in part by legislation that authorized the formation of the Snohomish County Public Facilities District (PFD) and allows the county to collect a retail sales tax rebate. Other facilities also funded in part by the Snohomish County PFD include the Everett Events Center, the Lynnwood Convention Center and the Edmonds Center for the Arts.

“Were are thrilled that these overseas, Canadian and US markets continue to grow,” said Barry Smith, Future of Flight Foundation’s Executive Director. “As stewards of this public facility, we are keenly aware that outside money from high-value customers is absolutely key to driving increases in retail sales tax. In addition to purchasing tickets to the Future of Flight & Boeing Tour, people from outside the area spend more money in restaurants, hotels and on retail purchases than people who live here,” he said.

Increases in overseas visitors and those from other states and Canada have been attributed to recently added, non-stop airline service at SeaTac, and the Alaska cruise market. Air France and Aero Mexico added new service to Seattle mid-year in 2007, which sparked jumps in visitors from France and Mexico. Service from Frankfurt to Seattle on Lufthansa in late March 2008 is expected to push Germany into a tie with Japan for the top overseas position at the Future of Flight. Proposed non-stop air service from Beijing to Seattle on Hainan Airlines is expected to boost travel from China as well.

The Future of Flight Aviation Center is a unique learning and interpretive facility designed to let visitors experience the marvel of commercial jet aviation and production. Itcelebrates the historic accomplishments of the last 50 years since the first flight of the Boeing 707 and highlights the technological possibilities for powered, winged flight during the next 50 years.

The 73,000-square-foot Future of Flight facility includes a 28,000-square-foot Aviation Gallery with interactive exhibits and displays, 9,000-square-foot, rooftop observation deck overlooking Paine Field, Boeing Tour Center, conference space for 250 people, special event space for groups of up to 750 people, a 240-seat theater, café, Future of Flight Store and Boeing Store.

The Future of Flight Aviation Center also features Aviation Zones with hands-on exhibits, videos, graphics and interactive stations where visitors can design their own airplanes. The facility also encompasses The Boeing Tour – the only public tour of a commercial jet assembly plant in North America.

For more information, visit www.futureofflight.org .