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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, October 8, 2008 Talks urged for Paine Field flights By Mike Benbow Herald Writer With two airlines now interested in beginning commercial service at Paine Field, the Port of Everett on Tuesday agreed to encourage Snohomish County officials to negotiate with the companies "in good faith". Port commissioners Connie Niva and Phil Bannan agreed to send a letter to Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon and to Snohomish County Council chairman Dave Somers. Commissioner Michael Hoffmann opposed the letter. Reardon opposes commercial passenger flights at Paine, as do many residents concerned about traffic, noise and property values. But he said he will negotiate in good faith with the two companies, Horizon Air and Allegiant Air. Last month, the port commission approved a resolution that stops short of calling for commercial air service, but does urge the county not do anything that would hurt federal funding at the airport because it is used by the Boeing Co. Boeing is the county's largest employer and the port's biggest customer. Both Niva and Bannan personally would like to see commercial air service at Paine, and Niva said Tuesday she wanted to make that clear to the county. Asked if sending a letter at the port because of their personal beliefs created a conflict of interest, Bannan said it didn't. "I'm not conflicted at all," he said. "I'm in favor of it. I just question whether the people who get this letter will really give a rip about what we say." Pat Kessler of Mukilteo told commissioners at their meeting that the letter "sounds like another boost for commercial air service." The city of Everett has already sent the county a letter asking it to open Paine Field to commercial flights. That was clearly the intent of the two port commissioners. Horizon has noted it would like to start flights to Portland, Ore., and Spokane. Allegiant wants run flights to Las Vegas. County officials have said in the past that creating an airport terminal at Paine would cost about $3.2 million. Niva said the county shouldn't view that as a stumbling block because parking and landing fees could easily pay for the facility. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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