One of Mukilteo’s most significant neighbors is Paine Field Airport. Paine Field is a county-owned facility, and provides billions in economic impact to our region. It also can impact our neighborhoods with noise (read more about noise at the Paine Field website: https://www.painefield.com/158/Noise). If you hear noise that is a concern to you, you can report concerns here: https://www.planenoise.com/kpae/ or by leaving a voicemail at 425-284-0500. Be sure to include time of day, location and details about the aircraft if possible.
Aviation Studies
There are currently two studies underway in our state on the future of aviation facilities. One is a statewide effort focused on commercial aviation (but also assessing cargo air and general aviation), with a 20-year timeframe. The other is a 30 year outlook of the Puget Sound region for all aviation uses.
Paine Field Airport is also set to update their Airport Master Plan in the coming months. This will likely have a 20-year timeframe.
State Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission
The State Legislature authorized a statewide study on commercial aviation capacity. It is being run by the Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division. This analysis of our state’s 20-year airport capacity via their [Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/commission/home.htm) is working to identify a short list of 6 airports to become a new “primary aviation airport” (basically a new SeaTac by 2040) by January 1, 2021. Right now, Paine Field is on their draft list, as they begin the public outreach process. They will be assessing the feasibility of constructing a commercial aviation facility in that location and its potential environmental, community, and economic impacts. If you are wondering what a primary aviation facility is- [here is some FAA information](https://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/categories/)about them.
From now through next year, they’ll whittle that list of six down to a top 2 by September 2021, and recommend one to the legislature by January 2022. They are considering delaying that by one year, but now is the time to make our voices heard. They have heard from other areas- they need to hear from Mukilteo, Everett and Snohomish County.
Ways to Get Involved
- Attend an open house (subscribe to Paine Field’s calendar events here)
- Contact the Commission: CACC@wsdot.wa.gov or 360-810-0902
- Contact Snohomish County (Paine Field Airport owner)
- Councilmember Megan Dunn: megan.dunn@snoco.org or 425-388-3494
- County Executive Dave Somers: Dave.Somers@snoco.org
Puget Sound Regional Aviation Baseline Study
This two-year study is intended to provide a clear picture of the region’s aviation system (King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties) and form the technical foundation for future decisions by regional and state leaders.
The objectives of the Regional Aviation Baseline Study are to:
- Identify the roles of each airport and the aviation activities within the region.
- Provide a regional perspective on how aviation activities at airports in the study area interact with each other, the community and the broader economy.
- Obtain input from stakeholders about their needs and build a common understanding about aviation and airspace constraints.
- Identify future aviation needs within the central Puget Sound region and set the stage for future planning.
This two page flyer provides a little more information (https://www.psrc.org/sites/default/files/psrc-2019may10-rabsflyer.pdf).
You can find relevant info on Paine Field on pages 23-26 of this presentation: https://www.psrc.org/sites/default/files/9-eb2020jul23-pres-rabs.pdf
They are also studying the need for additional commercial air service like the CACC, but just within the 4 county region of the PSRC. In this study, Paine Field is on the list, with the note that increases would require an airport master plan update.
Ways to Get Involved
Their online open house is available until October 19, you can view it here (https://www.psrc.org/aviation-baseline-study-open-house)
Join their mailing list: https://psrc.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c30caa9729e321c331db4a046&id=c06e1287c5
Paine Field Airport Master Plan Update
The Master Plan for Paine Field assesses and directs improvements that will be required to accommodate future aviation demand. The last plan was adopted in 2002, and an update is required in the coming months. We will update this page with information on how to get involved once that process begins.
You can find the current 2002-2021 Master Plan here: https://www.painefield.com/153/Airport-Master-Plan-Update
