A Supplemental Environmental Assessment was conducted to evaluate the potential impacts of Alaska Airlines and United Airlines initiating commercial passenger service at the first fully private airline terminal in the United States.
Thank you on behalf of everyone here at Alaska for your tireless efforts on the PAE environmental assessment process! To say ‘we couldn’t have done it without you’ would be a tremendous understatement.
Paine Field adds another airport option in the greater Seattle region and provides economic benefits to the local community. Its efficient terminal emphasizes an enhanced passenger experience.
Located about 30 miles north of downtown Seattle, Snohomish County Airport/Paine Field is a new public-use airport owned and operated by Snohomish County.
An Environmental Assessment (EA) approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2012 included a new passenger terminal building, initiation of airline service, and other related actions. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines sought to amend their Operations Specifications to allow for scheduled commercial air service to the new airport. The proposed service also required an amendment to the Airport’s existing Part 139 operating certificate. ESA prepared a Supplement to the 2012 EA to address the Operations Specifications and Part 139 amendments, as well as related actions to address additional passenger parking needs. The primary environmental concerns were related to the increase in aircraft noise, vehicular traffic, and air quality emissions.
After receiving approval from the FAA, Alaska Airlines commenced service on March 4, 2019, and United Airlines began service on March 31, 2019. Both airlines are flying the Embraer 175 aircraft, with future plans to add Boeing 737 aircraft.
Autumn Ward
Senior Airport Planner, Autumn Ward, based out of ESA’s Tampa office was inducted to the Board of Directors for the Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society (TJDAS).
As airport planners and environmental specialists, ESA’s airport specialists are always keeping an eye on new trends that affect airport operations. Two trends that we have been tracking are upgauging and NextGen. Upgauging is a trend in the airline industry that has had a profound effect on the growth in passenger traffic at airports throughout the world.
