AllegiantSun.jpg
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air has been given permission to start operating commercial flights out of Paine Field in Everett. (Allegiant Air image)

FAA OK's Paine Field passenger air service out of Everett

BY Josh Kerns  on December 4, 2012 @ 1:51 pm (Updated: 4:34 pm - 12/4/12 )

The FAA has officially given its blessing to passenger air service at Everett's Paine Field, clearing the way for commercial flights out of Snohomish County.

In an official "Finding of No Significant Impact," the FAA reiterated its previous findings that commercial air service would not significantly increase noise, traffic, or pollution in the area.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air plans to fly about 20 flights a day out of Paine Field.

An environmental review in September found that adding 23 commercial flights a day by 2018 would also not significantly increase noise, traffic, or air pollution.

The airline currently flies from a number of Washington cities, including Bellingham, with connecting flights to such warm weather destinations as Honolulu, Maui, and Phoenix.

"The City of Everett has been on record supporting commercial air at Paine Field for many years now," Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson said in a statement. "The FAA has completed its effort, and by all indication, the impacts of commercial air appear to be minimal. Commercial air is necessary for economic development and job growth. Hopefully we'll soon be working with a company to provide commercial air at Paine Field."

The decision comes after years of sometimes bitter debate. Allegiant and Horizon sought permission back in 2008 to fly from the Snohomish County-owned airport. Many neighbors have opposed the move, arguing it would bring significant noise, traffic an pollution to the area, impacting quality of life and driving down home prices.

"Mukilteo city is gonna be a mess," U.C. Shin, owner of Z's Burgers in Mukilteo, told KING 5. "You add one airline here, and a few flights there, and before you know it, it's out of control."

Commercial air service out of Paine Field is not likely to begin for at least a year, following improvements to the airport needed to accommodate passenger flights.

In response to the findings, Alaska Airlines said if a competitor begins service at Paine Field, it will add flights at Sea-Tac using a Bombardier Q400 turboprop and Boeing 737 jet.

Horizon Air had been interested in adding six daily flights out of Everett about four years ago, but Alaska said the business climate has changed since then and conditions at Sea-Tac have dramatically changed with the addition of a third runway, new rental car facility, and light-rail service.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (5)


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  • skottedont wrote...
    No significant impact?
    December 4, 2012 3:08 pm
    Anyone who's been stuck on 526 during Boeing shift change traffic, or the backup when a single drop of rain falls, knows that this is going to suck. I don't know how they think this won't make the freeways busted
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Drool wrote...
    Drop in the Bucket
    December 4, 2012 5:26 pm
    Compared to shift change at Boeing. When Boeing cuts them loose, that is thousands of people.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    As long as the flights don't land or take off after 2PM.
    December 4, 2012 3:49 pm
    Otherwise you'll miss your flight in traffic. 526 and Broadway become a slow lava flow of burning drivers from 2 until about 5.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Stanwooddave wrote...
    $50 Million reason's why traffic was found not to be inpacted
    December 4, 2012 10:40 pm
    I guess some reader's memory is only a "Headline" long. They don't remember when Boeing was forced to cough-up $50 Million dollar's plus. But then again it didn't come out of there pocket's and Bob Drewel (former Executive of Snohomish County) did smile for the camera's. Wouldn't you smile, if you could force someone to cough-up that much money.:-(
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • froggy wrote...
    There will be growing pains.
    December 5, 2012 5:51 am
    Of course there will be more traffic, but for people that usually had to drive to SeaTac or to Bellingham for a flight, this will surely be a major convenience. The people in the north end will now have an opportunity to have a lot easier travel. We'll just have to see if things are prepared right.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }