A Development Plan serves as roadmap for overall future capital development, illustrating specific projects, their proposed timing, and potential costs. The phasing of the projects is based in part on the pace of airport growth and overall project affordability.
Here’s our projection for how projects may be phased:
The total capital costs for all projects in the Development Plan is $313 million (2022 dollars). Most of the capital costs occur in PAL 2. The majority of the total costs is related to airfield rehabilitation and taxiway and apron upgrades. The terminal area costs are associated with the aircraft parking positions. Terminal costs are the responsibility of the terminal operator.
The future capital projects will be funded by a combination of federal grants, airport funds and private sector funding. Over 90% of the total costs are eligible for federal funding, with approximately 10% funded by airport sources. On an annual basis, the airport earns approximately $4-$5 million in operating income, which could be used to fund the airport portion of the costs.
We evaluated the potential environmental issues associated with the Master Plan projects that will set the stage for future environmental studies (NEPA and or SEPA reviews), as specific projects advance. Considerations included the potential impacts to water resources, soil, facilities demolition, and several others. Furthermore, the Master Plan evaluated the current waste management plan at the airport and worked to developed strategies to help PAE minimize waste and increase recycling.
The Master Plan also evaluated the future (2040) potential noise exposure to the adjacent land uses and communities. The analysis found no residential or other noise-sensitive land uses located within 65 DNL. This is below the level that the FAA’s land use compatibility guidelines indicate residential uses are considered compatible. Noise analysis will be coordinated with the County and incorporated into the official plan.
The 2040 Land Use Plan is an essential component of the Master Plan. The Land Use Plan is developed to accommodate all the key airport functions within the proposed four designated zones. The Land Use Plan also reserves areas for future development and protects the ability of PAE to grow in a logical manner and serve its objectives within the county.
Paine Field Airport is vital to the quality of life and economic sustainability of Snohomish County’s residents. As our region continues to grow, we rely on a strategic framework, the Airport Master Plan, that guides development of the airport. To receive updates about the Airport master planning process, please sign up below.
As of 2018, Paine Field (PAE) supports 158,227 jobs and has a total economic impact/business revenue of $59.9 billion annually. It has the highest economic impact of any airport in the state of Washington.
The airport has two parallel runways for arrivals and departures: Runway 16L/34R serves general aviation aircraft, while the 9,010-foot-long Runway 16R/34L accommodates large jet aircraft, up to and including the largest aircraft in the world.
In its first 12 months of service, the privately-owned and operated commercial passenger terminal at PAE welcomed approximately 1 million passengers. These passengers were utilizing the 24 arrivals and 24 departures each day before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted air travel.
Paine Field serves an average of 315 aircraft operations per day (general aviation, Boeing, and commercial air service), and it is home to approximately 509 general aviation based aircraft.
During times of emergency, say an earthquake or other natural disaster, Paine Field provides much-needed transportation capacity and flexibility for government planners.
An Airport Master Plan is a long-range planning document that recommends a strategy for development of airport land and facilities. The plan’s goal is to prepare the county’s airport to support the needs of the future. The plan will also ensure the airport balances our economic, environmental, and social values.
The Master Plan is informed by Snohomish County residents, government agencies, chambers of commerce, civic groups, environmental organizations, business leaders, and others with an interest in the airport. The Master Plan will ultimately be approved by County Executive and the Snohomish County Council, and then submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for acceptance. The current Paine Field Master Plan was adopted by the Snohomish County Council on December 4, 2002 and accepted by the FAA on November 13, 2003.
Paine Field Airport, which is owned and operated by Snohomish County on behalf of its residents, values our community, and we need your input as we develop a plan for the coming decades. Public outreach will occur at key milestones during the project to enable the public to review and comment. In addition, this website will provide informational updates as the plan is developed and will include ways for the public to provide ongoing input.
Developing the Master Plan is a two-phase process that we expect to take two and a half years, if all goes according to plan, concluding in 2022.
Phase One, which began in 2020, includes information gathering and study. We’ll use the information we gather to develop options for how the airport can develop over the next 20 years. These ideas will be developed into preliminary alternatives and then we’ll determine requirements for those alternatives for consideration.
During Phase One, we’ll engage with the community through open houses as well as website updates and other information sharing.
During Phase Two, we’ll evaluate the preliminary alternatives and come up with a single preferred alternative. Once a preferred alternative has been identified, we’ll study environmental impacts, implementation scenarios, and projected finances for the alternative.
During this phase, we’ll also engage with the community through public meetings, post updates to this website, and host online open houses.
You can follow along with our progress by signing up for email updates.
There are three primary committees that will help develop the Master Plan: the Steering Committee, the Stakeholder Advisory Committee, and the Technical Committee.
The role of the Steering Committee is to guide Snohomish County’s goals and priorities for the airport and provide ongoing policy and strategic guidance throughout the Master Plan process. The Steering Committee includes members from Paine Field, the Port of Everett, and business leaders.
The Stakeholder Advisory Committee is an advisory committee comprised of key aviation stakeholders such as major tenants, local businesses, representatives from the community, and technical experts. Its purpose is to provide a venue for members to communicate issues of key interest and provide informed feedback regarding the purpose and scope of the Master Plan. The Stakeholder Advisory Committee represents a broad range of airport/aviation/community interests, and its members will have specific technical knowledge regarding the airport and/or community they serve.
The Technical Committee is comprised of senior airport staff and the consultant team. The committee’s primary role is to provide technical input and review of the various technical documents.
This website will share information and updates as the plan is developed, including invitations for public participation in online open houses. Please join our mailing list to receive updates.
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Paine Field Airport
3220 100th Street SW, Suite A
Everett, WA 98204
425-388-5125