Studied The Feasibility Of Up To 23 Flights Per Day

The FAA has released an environmental study assessing the impact of commercial flights at Paine Field in Everett, WA. The airport is home to Boeing's primary assembly facilities, but is otherwise viewed as a GA airport. The agency said that adding up to 23 commercial flights per day by 2018 would have little impact on noise, traffic, or air pollution.

The study took about two and a half years. An early draft of the document released in 2010 drew over 900 comments, according to a report appearing in the Seattle Daily Herald.

The report looked only at the number of commercial flights proposed by the airlines looking to establish service at Paine Field; Horizon Air of Seattle and Allegiant Air of Las Vegas. Opponents of the proposal said that the agency should have taken future growth of airline operations into account when considering impact on the environment. The opponents say that not considering the incremental growth proposed by the two carriers over the next five years ... up to 160 flights per week ... violates federal environmental laws.

Of course, the battle lines are familiar. Proponents say adding the commercial flights will be an economic boon to the region, and far more convenient for those flying into and out of the Seattle area. Opponents say they will add noise, traffic, and pollution, and the quality of life will suffer.

The FAA has opened comments on the final draft of the proposal through Oct. 14. A final decision is expected by the end of the year.

FMI: www.painefield.com/airserviceea.html