To fly or not to fly

Could commercial flights come to Paine Field?

Supporters say it’s a good idea that would boost Snohomish County’s economy and offer residents an alternative to commuting to Sea-Tac International Airport.

“Our strong support comes from our businesses,” said Todd Brunner, a Lynnwood business owner and vice president of the group Fly Paine Field, which supports commuter flights at the airport. “We surveyed all of our chamber members and found overwhelming support, both because of the travel opportunities but also because there’s an economic development issue.”

He highlighted a 2008 city of Everett consultant’s report that basically gave commercial air service two thumbs up. Everett’s Chamber of Commerce and the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce also support the idea.

Opponents say Paine Field is the wrong place to put commercial air flights and that bringing commercial passenger service to the airport would contradict a long-standing policy of limited air service.

“This is not going to serve the majority, this is going to serve a small, select group of people,” said Lynnwood Councilman Ted Hikel, who has argued before the County Council against commercial flights at Paine Field.

Meanwhile, County Executive Aaron Reardon is likely soon to begin negotiations with at least two airlines that have already expressed an interest in offering commercial jet service at Paine Field.

South Snohomish County municipalities, as well as the County Council, have opposed commercial air service at Paine Field. Last year, city councils in Lynnwood, and Mountlake Terrace each passed resolutions opposing commercial air service. The city of Mukilteo continues to voice strong opposition to commercial air service at the airport.

By law, the county is obligated to negotiate “in good faith” with any airline interested in providing service.

That’s because of deed restrictions set in place when the county took control of the airport and because the Federal Aviation Administration has let the county know discretionary grant funds it provides the airport — funds the county counts on for upgrades and maintenance — could be jeopardized if the county doesn’t make a “good faith effort” to negotiate with Horizon Air and Allegiant Air, the two carriers that want to fly commercial jets out of Paine Field.

“Our ability to say ‘no’ is limited by federal law, by federal agreements that were agreed to when we took over Paine Field,” said County Councilman Dave Gossett of Mountlake Terrace.

Earlier this month, the County Council unanimously approved a resolution affirming the county’s intention to negotiate in good faith with the airlines.

County Council members also made it clear they’d prefer the county build its own flight terminal at Paine Field.

That’s led to criticism by opponents of commercial flights, who say the county building a terminal is a way of subsidizing the airlines. And the Port of Everett has said it might be interested in building a terminal at Paine Field.

“We fully intend to have user agreements that fully support those costs,” said County Councilman Mike Cooper of Edmonds. “We’re allowed to recover our costs from the users and that’s what we intend to do.”

Gossett said there are two reasons the council prefers the county build a terminal and lease space to the airlines. First, “that’s clearly the FAA’s preference,” he said. Secondly, not doing so “could affect discretionary airport funding.”

“We need a lot in the next two years,” he said. “There are major repairs that need to be done on the main runway.”

Cooper said the county wouldn’t build the terminal to attract airlines but only after an agreement is in place between the county and any airline that wants to fly jets in and out of Paine Field.

Greg Hauth, vice president of the main group opposing commercial flights, Save Our Communities, said it’s unlikely the county will be able to place any restrictions on flight frequency or plane size because of a federal law called the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990. That law prohibits governments from restricting flight times, plane types or sizes.

“We say Paine would become Sea-Tac north. Once Horizon comes in…it is wide open, 24-7,” he said. “For the county to subsidize this effort, it just blows my mind.”

Hikel said the federal government just spent more than $100,000 to build a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport.

“What was that all about?” he asked, rhetorically. “No doubt, airlines believe they can get a lower price on their landing fees and that will save them money and that’s one of the things they’re desperate to do. The question is, at what cost?”