County Council to Consider Resolution Opposing Commercial Passenger Air Service at Paine Field
In response to a recent inquiry from a commercial passenger airline about initiating flights from Paine Field, the Snohomish County Council will consider adopting a joint resolution on June 4 opposing commercial air passenger services from the county-owned airport.
On May 16, the county received a letter from Allegiant Air, a Nevada-based commercial airline, expressing an interest in offering flights to Las Vegas from Paine Field.
The resolution was originally introduced on May 19, but due to the absence of two councilmembers, final consideration was postponed until their return.
However, at the suggestion of councilmember Dave Gossett, the council directed that a letter be sent to Allegiant Air expressing their concerns. The letter states in part:
We wish to make clear to your firm and to our citizens our strong opposition to commercial air passenger services from Paine Field.
In particular, we hereby state our commitment to preserving the 1978-79 Mediated Role Determination (MRD) and Snohomish County's subsequent reaffirmation of the MRD in 1989, 1992 and 2001.
Furthermore, we are committed to oppose any Snohomish County budget actions that promote or facilitate commercial air passenger services from Paine Field.
An understanding and appreciation of the long history of this issue makes clear our need to reiterate Snohomish County's commitment to protecting our citizens' quality of life.
The council will consider the resolution at their regular general legislative session Wed. June 4, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Jackson Board Room, 8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Building on the county campus at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett.
