Final draft of Paine Field Master Plan ready to view

EVERETT — Curious as to what could be in store for Paine Field?

Snohomish County officials and airport planners have invited the public to look at the final draft of the 2040 Paine Field Airport Master Plan.

It’s ready to view now through April 3 at PaineFieldMasterPlan.com. You can leave comments, sign up for project emails, and follow Paine Field Airport on Facebook and Twitter.

For an overview of the final draft master plan, a webinar is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. March 15.

Airport leaders and experts who helped write the plan will be available for questions. Register for the event on the master plan website.

“The new master plan will not extend Paine Field’s boundaries or runways,” said Terry Ryan, Snohomish County aerospace economic development director.

“It will, however, improve service to those that count on the airport. With this new vision for the airport, we’ll be able to respond to changes in aviation technology and demand for air travel,” Ryan said.

An airport master plan is a long-range planning document that recommends a strategy for airport use and development. It also identifies potential funding sources for future airport projects.

The current master plan hasn’t been updated since 2002. Once the plan is finalized, it will be sent to the Snohomish County Council, county executive and federal regulators for approval.

The privately owned passenger terminal opened four years ago, on March 4, 2019. Since then, it’s served more than 2 million passengers, including 1.1 million during the first 12 months of operating.

But those numbers are expected to climb. Analysts have forecast that Propeller Airport’s terminal will serve 4.3 million passengers a year by 2040.

Two potential layouts that would expand the existing terminal, including more gates and hundreds of additional parking spots, were released last year as drawings. Those illustrations appear in the draft master plan.

The state also has its eye on the Snohomish County-owned airport, targeting the terminal for potential expansion.

Paine Field is on a state commission’s short list of airports that could grow to meet the region’s increasing demand for passenger and air cargo services. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is expected to reach capacity in the next 20 years.

The Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission identified Paine Field as the only airport of six selected airfields with the “potential for additional commercial passenger service.”

Boeing is the major employer at Paine Field, employing approximately 30,000 people in three shifts. Next year, Boeing plans to install a fourth manufacturing line for the 737 MAX in Everett. Boeing currently assembles the 767F, KC-46A tanker, 777, and 777X aircraft at Paine Field. The plant supports the flight tests and deliveries of the new 787 Dreamliners and other aircraft.

Other large employers include Kerry and Collins Aerospace and Aviation Technical Services, which provides repair and maintenance service for Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest and UPS, among others carriers.

In all, Paine Field is home to over 550 aircraft, including small, single-engine recreational aircraft, corporate jets, new Boeing airplanes and vintage aircraft.

The airport has become a major tourist destination with the opening of the Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center and the Museum of Flight Restoration Center.

The Wartime History Museum, formerly the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, is expected to re-open this year, though no date has yet been announced.

Janice Podsada: 425-339-3097; jpodsada@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @JanicePods.