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Federal shutdown could delay Paine Field passenger flights

In this April 11, 2018, photo, Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports, left, talks with project engineer Todd Raynes, right, inside the privately-run commercial U.S. airport terminal Smith’s company is building at Paine Field in Everett, Wash. Propeller Airports sold $50 million in bonds earlier this year to finance the construction, according to data obtained by The Associated Press. The terminal has commitments from Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines for up to 24 daily flights, mostly to destinations in the West and Midwest. (Ted S. Warren / AP)
Associated Press

EVERETT, Wash. – Final federal approval of commercial passenger service at Paine Field, which was expected to begin Feb. 11, could be delayed by the ongoing government shutdown.

Gregory Martin, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman in Washington, D.C., told the Daily Herald that “the partial shutdown could potentially delay” the agency’s approval or disapproval, which will be based on a revised environmental assessment.

The outcome is widely expected to be approval, and airlines have been booking flights to and from Paine Field for weeks. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are offering a combined 24 daily departures from Everett, with Alaska planning to launch service beginning Feb. 11 and United starting March 31.

But on Tuesday, Alaska conceded there could be a snag if the shutdown drags on.

“The FAA is continuing its work on the Paine Field environmental assessment and other required approvals, and so far we don’t believe the partial government shutdown has impacted the process,” Alaska spokesman Ray Lane said in an email.

Brett Smith, president and CEO of Everett-based Propeller Airports, which built and will manage the new Everett terminal, said he expects it will open on time.