Snohomish County Council majority to fight airline flights at Paine Field

Published 5:24 pm Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Any proposed commercial airline flights at Paine Field will be fought vigorously, the Democratic majority on the Snohomish County Council said Wednesday.

Mukilteo residents who packed the council chambers applauded as the council voted 4-1 to formally oppose commercial airline flights.

The council said Paine Field should continue to be an aerospace hub and home to general aviation aircraft.

Republican County Councilman John Koster voted against the proposal and urged the council not vote based on emotions.

Allegiant Air recently proposed flying MD-80 jets from Paine Field to Las Vegas.

“There is a big fight ahead for all of us,” said County Councilman Brian Sullivan, a longtime opponent of airline service at Paine Field. “This is the first test and there are many tests ahead.”