EVERETT — Snohomish County airport officials have reached their first formal agreement with counterparts in Japan, a relationship they hope will pay dividends for aerospace business on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
County representatives traveled to Japan to announce an agreement Friday with officials from Chubu Centrair International Airport. The airport in Aichi Prefecture is located near the major port city of Nagoya, more than 200 miles southwest of Tokyo. Like Snohomish County’s Paine Field, it is known as an aerospace manufacturing hub.
“These two airports, while continents apart, are linked by Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner,” said Bill McSherry, vice president of government operations for Boeing Commerical Airplanes. “In fact, both airports play an integral role in the manufacturing process of Boeing’s newest airplanes and are key to our long-term success. We are excited to help strengthen the partnership between Paine Field and Centrair for many more years to come.”
Japan’s consulate general in Seattle was involved in the negotiations, according to a county press release.
State Department of Commerce director Brian Bonlender said aerospace relationships have flourished between the two regions for nearly 50 years, since Japan Airlines began using the Moses Lake airfield in Grant County.
County Executive Dave Somers said the memorandum should help strengthen ties between local governments through an exchange of information and mutual assistance on projects. The sectors expected to benefit most are aircraft manufacturing and air cargo operations.
Traveling to Japan on the county’s behalf were executive director Kendee Yamaguchi from Somers’ office and County Councilwoman Stephanie Wright, who also serves as board treasurer of the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.
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