Key Takeaways
• Paine Field plans to expand its terminal from 44,000 to 239,000 square feet, adding 12 aircraft gates.
• Expansion aims to serve up to 4 million passengers annually by 2040, increasing current 1.5 million capacity.
• Frontier Airlines joins with flights from June 2, 2025, boosting regional travel options from Paine Field.
Paine Field in Everett, Washington has taken a major step toward growing its commercial terminal, with Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers signing an executive order to move the process forward. This choice could shape the future of travel for thousands of residents, as well as the economy of Snohomish County and nearby communities. The expansion isn’t just about building bigger spaces. It’s about planning for more flights, more travelers, and more job opportunities in years to come.
Bold Plans for a Bigger Terminal
The main details of the current expansion plan stand out for their scale and ambition. Right now, Paine Field’s terminal can handle about 1.5 million passengers each year and covers roughly 44,000 square feet. The new draft plan would add 12 more aircraft gates—places where the planes park and passengers get on or off—and expand the terminal to reach a huge 239,000 square feet. If built, this would make the terminal far bigger than what’s there today, preparing it for five times as many travelers as before.
To put this growth in perspective, the current space has been serving travelers since the commercial terminal opened in 2019. Even then, there was talk that if the region kept growing, the small terminal wouldn’t be enough for long. Now, that prediction seems to be coming true much sooner than many expected.
The executive order, which was signed and took effect on May 20, 2025, marks a clear commitment from county officials to start making the airport bigger and ready for the future. The order will stay in place until leaders decide to change it or replace it. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these steps are based on real data about travel and demand—not just guesses—showing careful planning.
How Paine Field Works Today
Paine Field, also sometimes called “the Gateway to Snohomish County,” has a unique place among other airports in the region. The airport itself is owned by the county, but its commercial terminal is privately managed by a company named Propeller Airports. The county owns the land and leases it to Propeller, making for a rare public-private partnership.
Since commercial flights began in 2019, Alaska Airlines has carried the most travelers, offering 10 routes to various cities in the western United States 🇺🇸. Kenmore Air runs three routes, but with fewer passengers. Now, the mix of choices is growing: Frontier Airlines recently announced it will also begin using Paine Field, flying to Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix starting June 2, 2025. This means more options for flyers and could make Paine Field even more popular.
The airport does a lot more than just commercial flights. It is also home to about 550 airplanes, ranging from small weekend flyers to large Boeing jets, private business planes, and even vintage warplanes. This mix makes the airport busy and important for many kinds of travelers and businesses.
The Bigger Picture: A Vision for 2040
The commercial terminal expansion is only one part of a much larger plan that looks as far as 2040. In August 2024, the Snohomish County Council approved a master plan that focuses on nearly every part of the airport’s operations. This master plan covers not just more gates and terminal space, but also upgrades to the runways—the long, paved strips where planes take off and land—and bigger areas for supporting work, such as baggage handling, aircraft maintenance, and passenger services.
A key reason for the plan is that the number of travelers using Paine Field keeps climbing. By 2040, officials predict the airport could serve about four million people each year. The terminal will need to be far bigger to give all these travelers enough space, comfort, and safety. The draft analysis shows that to handle so many travelers, nearly five times more space is needed than what exists now.
The plan aims to keep the airport growing without running into big problems, such as crowding or too few seats. It also tries to spread out the benefits—for airlines, local workers, nearby businesses, and the traveling public.
Why Is This Expansion Happening Now?
Several reasons have come together to make the expansion urgent and needed:
- Population Growth: Snohomish County’s population has been booming, bringing with it more need for air travel.
- Economic Development: More companies and workers rely on easy travel for supply chains, sales, and meetings.
- Demand from Airlines: With more airlines seeing an opportunity, the pressure to offer more flights and routes grows.
- Traveler Experience: Bigger terminals mean less crowding, shorter lines, and a more pleasant trip.
- Competition: Neighboring airports may be crowded or inconvenient, making Paine Field attractive for those living north of Seattle.
The Snohomish County Executive and the County Council both see the expansion as a way to keep up with these changes and to make sure Paine Field stays a strong force for good in the region.
Economic Impact: Jobs and Local Growth
The effects of Paine Field on the local and regional economy are already huge. The airport brings in an estimated $60 billion to the area every year—a number that shows just how many people, companies, and families depend on it, either directly or indirectly.
It also supports more than 150,000 jobs, covering everything from airport workers and restaurant staff to mechanics, cleaners, and skilled technicians who keep airplanes safe. Local transportation services, shops, hotels, and other businesses see more customers because of the busy airport. With the commercial terminal expansion, all these numbers could go up, helping the entire area thrive.
As more flights leave and arrive, there is a ripple effect. More travelers spending money nearby leads to growth for hotels, restaurants, and tour services. Hiring more workers to build the new terminal, and then to run it once opened, means more families have steady incomes. Even neighborhoods near the airport can see improvements as the tax base grows.
More Choices for Travelers
For regular travelers, the Paine Field commercial terminal expansion is good news. Those living in or around Everett or in other parts of Snohomish County no longer have to drive long distances to bigger airports south of Seattle. As more airlines and flights are added, people get more choices for destinations and prices.
Frontier Airlines’ decision to launch service at Paine Field is one indication of changing times. The more airlines that join in, the more pressure there will be on other airports to keep up. That can mean better service for passengers everywhere. And with a well-run, expanding airport right in Snohomish County, local families spend less time on the road and more time at their destinations.
Construction and Environmental Concerns
Building a bigger commercial terminal doesn’t happen overnight. There will be years of design, permits, and actual construction work. During this time, airport leaders and Snohomish County officials will need to answer many questions about how to handle extra noise, extra traffic, and possible impacts on the environment.
The master plan tries to address these concerns. It includes steps to limit noise—from more flights or construction—and to keep the local community informed about what’s happening. County leaders say they want to grow the airport in ways that are smart, safe, and respectful of neighbors.
Looking Ahead: Risks and Rewards
While most local leaders, airlines, and businesses strongly support the commercial terminal expansion, not everyone agrees on every detail. Some people worry about more noise from extra flights. Others wonder whether bigger airports mean more traffic on local roads, or if small communities might lose their small-town feeling.
Still, many see the rewards far outweighing the risks. With careful planning, communication, and community engagement, Paine Field’s expansion could become a model for how other smaller airports grow in the future.
The executive order signed by the Snohomish County Executive, along with the council’s adoption of the long-term master plan, show a unique level of agreement among public officials. This should help move the expansion along at a steady pace.
What’s Next?
The executive order is just the first official step in a process that may take several years to finish. Next, leaders will review and finalize plans, work with airlines to set flight schedules, and make sure all regulatory steps are followed.
If all goes well, construction could start in the coming years, and local residents may see a much bigger, more modern Paine Field commercial terminal by the start of the next decade. This timeline depends on permits, funding, and how fast the county and its partners can move.
In the meantime, travelers can look forward to more flight options, shorter lines, and more comfort at the airport.
Key Information for Flyers and the Public
If you live in or around Snohomish County, this news affects you whether you fly often or not. More airport jobs may open up. Local traffic may change as construction gets underway. If you’re a business owner, especially in travel or hospitality, you may want to stay updated so you can plan for more visitors.
Official channels such as the Snohomish County government website offer detailed updates and opportunities to give your feedback before final decisions are made.
Paired with regular reporting from trusted sources and local news, these official updates provide the best picture of how, when, and why the airport is changing.
The Role of Snohomish County Executive
The Snohomish County Executive plays a central part in these decisions. By signing the executive order, Dave Somers made it clear that building up the commercial terminal is a top priority. This role involves working with local leaders, business owners, airlines, and the public. It means balancing the needs of travelers with those of long-time residents.
The executive’s leadership shows how one well-timed decision—backed by data and community support—can set the stage for years of progress and growth.
Final Thoughts
Paine Field’s path to a bigger commercial terminal is much more than a construction project. It’s part of a long-term plan to keep Snohomish County strong, competitive, and ready for a busy future. With new gates and more space, local travelers get more options, and the area’s economy continues to benefit.
The Snohomish County Executive, county council, and local partners are showing leadership by thinking ahead. As demand for air travel rises and nearby cities grow, their focus on a bigger, better Paine Field could become a model for others.
As always, staying informed and involved is important—for travelers, business owners, and anyone interested in how their community is changing. For more on official processes and current plans regarding commercial terminal expansion, visit the Snohomish County website or trusted outlets like VisaVerge.com for updates. By working together and planning ahead, Snohomish County can make sure that Paine Field stays a vital link for years to come.
Learn Today
Executive Order → An official directive signed by a government leader to enact or advance specific policies or projects.
Aircraft Gate → The designated spot at a terminal where planes park and passengers board or disembark.
Public-Private Partnership → A cooperative arrangement where government and private companies share ownership and management responsibilities.
Master Plan → A comprehensive long-term strategy outlining development goals and operations improvements for an airport.
Runway → A long, paved strip at an airport used for aircraft takeoffs and landings.
This Article in a Nutshell
Paine Field in Everett is expanding its commercial terminal significantly, aiming to serve five times more travelers by 2040. With new gates and airlines like Frontier joining, this growth promises more jobs, better travel options, and a stronger local economy, backed by Snohomish County’s executive order signed in May 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
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