Paine Field Continues Growth, More Parking Spaces In The Works

EVERETT, WA – Paine Field is showing everyone that it is the little airport that can. They may not be Sea-Tac but they are working hard to provide an alternative for people.

They aren't expected to open until next month but once they do, they plan to make it easier for people to get to destinations in the West.

While Sea-Tac serves nearly 45 million people every year, Paine expects to see around 650,000 people passing through as they take one of the two dozen flights that will be leaving every day. Get all the latest information on what's happening in your community by signing up for Patch's newsletters and breaking news alerts.

Airlines such as Alaska Air, United, and Southwest will take people to places like Portland, Vegas, parts of Southern California, and Phoenix.

As they get ready to start doing business, lots of work is underway.

When work first got underway, Propeller Airports, which operates Paine, anticipated 12 flights a day. Now that the number is up to 24, that means more people will be there. That means more parking will be needed.

The Snohomish County Council voted last week to lease more land for parking.

Meanwhile, the airport recently installed two jet bridges to make it easier for people to board planes; eliminating the need to walk outside in what's often rainy weather to get to their flight.

Things are no all perfect, though.

After the airport announced a doubling of the expected number of flights, the FAA announced that they would need to do a new environmental study to assess the effects on noise and air quality.

The airport hopes to open before the end of the year.

Image via Paine Field.