Officials at Everett’s Paine Field broke ground on Monday June 5, 2017 on the new commercial airport terminal. The new terminal is being built by Propeller Airports and will bring a 29,300-square foot terminal to Paine Field with two aircraft gates. Along with breaking ground, Propeller Airport released new artist renditions of what the terminal will look like. Paine field will see a modern looking structure instead of a lodge like structure which was initially proposed.
The small airport will be ready for operation in 2018. Commercial service from North of Seattle will connect the suburb of Everett to the West Coast and possibly beyond. Alaska Airlines plans to fly to several destinations on the West Coast from Paine Field. Scott shared Alaska Airlines point-to-point Paine Field strategy when Alaska Airlines announced service to Paine Field. Expect to see both 737s and E-175s serving Everett’s Paine Field.
The new terminal will include the passenger hall/entrance and check-in, TSA security screening, passenger waiting, boarding area, concessions, baggage handling and baggage claim. There is no word if TSA pre-check will be available. No airline will own either of two gates. Instead the gates will be shared and mixed use. Yet with only two gates, it is likely that Paine Field will be have a maximum of 12-16 daily flights. There will also be parking for 574 cars which will includes a mix use lot for employee parking, rental car facilities, and passenger parking.
New Commercial Flights to Paine Field
Currently only Alaska Airlines has announced new service to Everett Paine Field (PAE). Per the Seattle times, Alaska will operate nine daily flights to PAE. This leaves approximately slots for three to seven more flights depending on plane size.
Allegiant Air has sought rights to fly to Paine field for several years. In 2008 and 2013 the airlines attempted to gain rights to fly to PAE. In 2013 after a disagreement with the city over land use rights and fees, Allegiant stopped lobbying for flights to Paine Field.
Now that Propeller is building a terminal, I would not be surprised if Allegiant Air announced new service. Service to Las Vegas or other warm destinations would follow Allegiant’s business plan and mimic current service from Bellingham. Allegiant does not serve Seattle, but instead operates flights from Bellingham in Northwest Washington.
I do not expect operations to maximize all 12-16 slots at PAE in the first year. Major airlines are unlikely to serve Paine field until airlines can prove flights can be profitable and even then are likely to avoid it due to high costs of split operations. In addition, Paine Field is only 37 miles north of Seatac International Airport, 100% within Seatac airports catchment area. Expect Delta, United, and others to continue to serve Seattle via Seatac whereas Alaska Airlines will grow in Everett along with the possibility of smaller carriers and ULCC which prefer regional airports.
