Construction set to begin on passenger terminal at Everett's Paine Field

EVERETT, Wash. — After decades of debate, passenger airline service out of Everett's Paine Field will take a giant step forward Monday.

Construction is set to begin on a brand new passenger terminal with a groundbreaking ceremony.

It's a substantial moment, because there's been fierce debate over the years about allowing commercial airline passenger service out of Paine Field.

Additional noise and congestion are the regular complaints.

Known primarily as the airport that Boeing uses for its Everett operations, Paine Field is a regular aviation and industrial airport, run by Snohomish County.

The 29,000-square-foot terminal will have two gates and areas for check-ins and security screening.

Alaska Airlines recently announced it would be the first carrier to provide commercial service from Paine Field.
The airline said it will run nine flights a day from a new commercial terminal at Paine Field starting in 2018, designed to serve a market of a million people living in North King County and Snohomish County.

Alaska has not yet announced where Paine Field flights will go, but the airline says it will be a mix of business and vacation destinations.

Howard Mann, Air Service Development Consultant for Campbell-Hill Aviation Group, said Seattle is a big market to only have a single airport.

"Its peers in the United States have more than one scheduled airport," Mann said.

Sea-Tac is setting growth records and could eventually run out of room, increasing pressure for new options.

The City of Mukilteo has long fought commercial flights at Paine Field, and has a court case pending.

"The city believes this announcement is premature. We are actively appealing the environmental determination that allows terminal construction," said Mayor Jennifer Gregerson.

Noise has been a big concern from neighbors.

Alaska says its flights will increase air traffic at Paine Field just 6 percent.

The airline says fares from Everett will be similar to what passengers now pay at Sea-Tac.

For more information about the terminal project, visit http://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/3651/Propeller-Project-at-Paine-Field

Cox Media Group