Alaska Airlines (AS, Seattle Tacoma International) has postponed the debut of scheduled passenger operations from Everett (Paine Field) to March 4, 2019, as the ongoing US government shutdown is delaying the formalisation of all necessary permits.
The carrier previously planned to launch services from the airport adjacent to Boeing main assembly plant north of Seattle on February 11, 2019.
"Several key groups within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which conduct crucial certification and oversight work required for the start of commercial air service at Paine Field, are subject to furloughs because of the government shutdown," the carrier explained in a statement.
Alaska Airlines added that while environmental assessments are ongoing, with some key personnel furloughed they cannot be completed. It warned that if the shutdown continues, further delays might be expected.
The carrier plans to operate from the airport initially to Los Angeles International, San Francisco, San José, US, Portland International, and Las Vegas Harry Reid. United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) intends to commence operations from Everett to Denver International and San Francisco on March 31, 2019. Both carriers will deploy E175 equipment to serve the airport, operated by Horizon Air (QX, Seattle Tacoma International) and SkyWest Airlines (OO, Salt Lake City) respectively.
