Passenger Service At Everett’s Paine Field One Step Closer

Today the Snohomish County Council voted to enter into an agreement with Propeller Airports for a two-gate terminal at Paine Field. With that decision Propeller issued the following press release…

Propeller Airports, a developer of passenger terminals and airport support facilities, entered into a public-private partnership with Snohomish County to develop a passenger terminal at Paine Field with private financing.

The Snohomish County Council today voted to approve an option lease agreement with Propeller Airports that enables Propeller to begin preliminary design work and acquire the necessary permits to build a passenger terminal at Paine Field. Under a long-term lease, Propeller is responsible for building and maintaining a state-of-the- art, two gate terminal, which would revert to County ownership at the end of the lease.

Propeller will make annual rental payments to the County. The first year rent in the lease is $447,891.12 with annual increases based on the terms in the agreement. Estimated rent payments total more than $25 million over the term of the agreement.

In addition, the County will share revenues from terminal operations as part of the public-private partnership – 2.5 percent for the first four years, and 5 percent for the remainder of the lease.

“Paine Field has a tradition of innovation and excellence,” said Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports. “We believe this agreement is an important first step in the process of leveraging the incredible aviation infrastructure at Paine Field to encourage further economic development and give local travelers an airport option.”

Paine Field currently handles approximately 305 operations daily and operates at roughly 45 percent capacity. The new terminal and future commercial service is expected to have about a 5 percent impact on the current operations.

The agreement approved by the Snohomish County Council today is the first step, and the final timeline for passenger service will become known over the next year.

Individuals and organizations who testified before the Snohomish County Council in favor of the agreement included: The Everett Clinic, Aviation Technical Services, Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson, local retailers and the Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

The Mayor of Mukilteo has come out solidly against passenger service and the group Save Our Communities has been fighting the idea since the early 1990s. Here are comments from Mukilteo Mayor Jennifer Gregerson…

I am disappointed in the County Council decision today to take a first step towards changing the role of Paine Field. Paine Field best serves our region as a significant economic engine, through aerospace manufacturing, general aviation and aviation tourism. It is a mistake to assume that commercial air service is a better economic development tool. I remain committed to defending the quality of life for our residents.

There are many steps that remain before commercial flights begin. The County’s permit and review process should assess all direct and indirect impacts that could stem from allowing commercial flights. These flights cannot be limited by a building footprint, the choice of the Council, or anyone else. I encourage the County to consider the full potential of their action as they move forward.