Horizon Air is pursuing plans to introduce daily air service from Paine
Field near Everett, Wash., before next summer.
The announcement comes after a 6-0 vote last month by the Everett City
Council in favor of a resolution supporting scheduled commercial flights
at Paine Field.
Horizon is considering flights to Portland and Spokane, with schedules
timed to facilitate same-day business trips between the cities.
Snohomish County travelers could also fly out of Paine Field and connect
in Portland to many popular destinations on the West Coast and beyond.
“Rather than suffer on the I-5 slog or endure
tedious hours on I-90, Snohomish County residents would be able to
travel between these three Northwest regions much more quickly with
Horizon Air from Paine Field,” said Dan Russo,
Horizon’s vice president of marketing and
communications.
Mindful of community concerns, Horizon would operate the flights with
its 76-seat Bombardier Q400 high-speed turboprops, among the quietest
commercial aircraft in the world today. This neighborhood-friendly
aircraft is 10 decibels quieter than a similar-size jet and more than 20
decibels quieter than an MD-80 jet. Even city center airports where
stringent noise limitations are in effect –
such as those in London and Toronto – have
accepted Q400 flights.
The Q400 is also among the most environmentally friendly aircraft today,
burning 30 percent less fuel and producing 30 percent lower emissions
than a similar-size jet.
Horizon’s service from Paine Field would also
have the potential to aid commercial development of the Snohomish County
region by making it easier and less time-consuming to get there.
Horizon last considered Paine Field-Portland flights in 1998, at that
time using 37-seat Q200s. The airline eventually opted not to pursue the
plan and instead focused on building more flight activity at its Seattle
hub with the larger Q400s.
Before making a final decision on whether to provide the new service,
Horizon needs to secure a cost-effective lease agreement at the airport
related to the terminal facilities necessary for check-in, screening of
passengers and baggage, and flight boarding.
Horizon serves 50 cities throughout Arizona, California, Oregon,
Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Baja California Sur (Mexico), and
British Columbia and Alberta (Canada). Together, Horizon Air and Alaska
Airlines serve 95 cities and are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc.
(NYSE:ALK).
Horizon Air
Dan Russo, 206-431-4513
