Hawaii, Vegas flights planned for Everett’s Paine Field
Feb 7, 2013, 2:42 PM | Updated: 9:44 pm
Alaska Airlines has issued a proposed list of flights if commercial operations are allowed out of Everett’s Paine Field. The inititial destinations include two airports in Hawaii plus Portland and Las Vegas.
A schedule submitted to the Federal Aviation administration proposes 35 round trip flights a week in the first year of operation. That would include four flights to Honolulu, three flights to Maui, seven flights to Las Vegas and 21 trips to Portland.
“That’s a very conservative schedule, it’s something they can support,” said travel analyst Steve Danishek. “I think it will work and it will be a good test on the north (King) County market and the Snohomish County market drawing into Paine Field.”
Danishek says Alaska Airlines is staking its claim. “One of the reasons they’re here is to let Allegiant and any other low-fare carriers that wishes to come to Paine Field and fly to Hawaii know that they’re going to have stiff competition.”
In a press release, the Seattle-based airline said the Portland flights would use the Q-400, twin-engine turboprop. All other flights would use Boeing 737s.
Alaska Airlines proposes 49 flights a week by year five of Paine Field operations, adding Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Diego to its list of destinations.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Airlines has also expressed interest in operating at Paine Field.
The F.A.A. approved Paine Field for commercial flights in December but service would likely be years off since the airport has no adequate passenger terminal and legal appeals challenging the flights are expected.
