Paine Field May Open To Commercial Traffic

Those Seattle-area residents who loathe flying out of Seattle-Tacoma International airport (SEATAC) may soon have another option for their flying adventures.

Sen. Dave Schmidt, R-Mill Creek, introduced legislation Monday in Olympia (WA) to fund a feasibility study on opening Paine Field in Everett to commercial air traffic, an idea that has been kicking around in the region for a few years.

The $100,000 study would examine the possibility of building a new $20 million terminal at Paine Field, the first step toward bringing commercial airliners to the field.

Schmidt said opening Paine Field to commercial flights would save Snohomish County travelers time and money.

"It's not uncommon for folks to leave three hours before their flight and still be an hour late -- or an hour early! It's a crapshoot," Schmidt said in a statement released yesterday.

Schmidt said the move would draw tourist and development dollars to Snohomish County, opening the possibility of new restaurants, hotels, entertainment facilities and support services.

Paine Field, built in 1936, was intended to be a large commercial airport, but plans never took off. Instead, it became a military base of operations during World War II and the Korean War. By the mid-'60s, with the military pulling out, The Boeing Co. began moving in.

Gradually, more than 50 businesses joined Boeing at the site.

Schmidt and representatives of the Snohomish County Economic Development Council will meet today at Paine Field, 3220 100th St. S.W. in Everett, to kick off regional support for the proposed commercial airport. The public is welcome.

FMI:  www.painefield.com