Alaska Airlines Tries to One-Up Southwest at Boeing Field

Magnolia and Georgetown residents have complained about the noise that would be generated by 737s. The Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the state's congressional delegation and Alaska Republican Don Young, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives committee on transportation and infrastructure, have called Southwest's plan a misuse of public resources. The Puget Sound Regional Council says it has thrown chaos into a decade of transportation planning.

But several Metropolitan King County Council members say the Southwest proposal should be studied.

The King County Council plans to take public comments on the proposals tomorrow night.

BOEING FIELD TUG OF WAR:

--June 14: Southwest Airlines' discussions with King County to move from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Boeing Field become public.

--June 22: Alaska Airlines says it too may shift flights to Boeing Field if Southwest moves.

--July 21: Southwest submits a formal proposal to the King County executive to build a $130 million, eight-gate terminal and start offering 60 flights -- 120 takeoffs and landings -- a day.

--July 26: The Port of Seattle puts $580 million in airport-expansion projects -- including the connection to Sound Transit's light rail -- on hold until the fate of Southwest is determined.

--Sept. 30: Alaska Air Group sends its formal proposal to the King County executive to build a $150 million, eight-gate terminal and start offering 68 Alaska and Horizon Air flights a day.

Source: Seattle Times archives

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