Washington Business Summer 2019 | Washington Business | Page 34

business backgrounder | transportation
Private Dollars, New Airport
The new Paine Field Passenger Terminal is winning rave
reviews for its customer service and amenities.
Andrew Lenderman
The $40 million Paine Field Passenger Terminal opened in March, and handles 24
flights a day to nine Western U.S. locations. It’s one of the most proactive investments
in transportation infrastructure in decades, not just in Washington, but throughout the
country. And it’s a great example of what can be built when private dollars and public
partnership work to accomplish ambitious projects that benefit the entire region.
At A Glance
Propeller Airports identifies untapped
potential for commercial air travel by
working with local communities and
governments to maximize
airport assets.
The new airport is already helping to
address Washington’s estimated $222
billion in infrastructure needs.
The company recoups its investment by
offering quality services and amenities
to passengers and partners.
“This was much needed. It should have opened a
long time ago. If you look at this from a regional
perspective, this is critical.”
– Brett Smith, CEO, Propeller Airports
www.flypainefield.com
www.portseattle.org/page/airport-statistics
www.alaskaair.com
www.united.com
34 association of washington business
PAINE FIELD — Going to the new airport in Everett was almost too easy.
I rolled up to a parking lot on a windy spring day and stopped to get a ticket. The gate
opened, and I parked about 50 yards away.
I checked my pockets and hopped out to stretch. The sun was shining on a brand-new
building with really tall windows. It looked like a new museum, or a small hotel maybe.
Then I walked across the street and through the doors into a fantastic surprise.
The newly built Paine Field Passenger Terminal is a spectacular space. It’s about
the size of a small gymnasium, with floor to ceiling windows on one wall, and a
massive Solari flight display board on another. The panels on the board flip over when
information changes.