Plans move forward for commercial flights at Paine Field, despite heavy opposition

EVERETT, Wash. — A federal court has denied an appeal by the city of Mukilteo, Edmonds and others who want to stop commercial passenger flights at Paine Field.

The Everett Daily Herald reports that Friday's ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals cleared a legal hurdle for a company looking to build a terminal there.

Mukilteo Mayor Jennifer Gregerson says they plan to demand a "full accounting of impacts" as proposals move ahead. She says they're committed to protecting the community.

Propeller Airports entered an option-to-lease agreement a year ago with Snohomish County, which runs the airport. The company wants to build a two-gate passenger terminal.

The case involved the Federal Aviation Administration's 2012 finding that two dozen daily takeoffs and landings by passenger jets would have no significant impacts on surrounding communities.

The cities and the Save Our Communities group sued, claiming federal regulators improperly limited their review.

The court disagreed.