When travelers search for flights to the Puget Sound area, they’ll now find two airports with Seattle in their name.
That’s because Snohomish County’s Paine Field airport has changed its name to Seattle Paine Field International Airport as it aims to widen its brand awareness and help visitors find flights to the region.
“We have always viewed Paine Field as a second gateway to the Seattle metro area and are excited that the County has rebranded the airport,” Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports, said in a news release Tuesday. Propeller operates the commercial terminal at the airport. “‘Seattle Paine Field International Airport’ better captures the market that our airport serves.”
The airport has registered the name change with the Federal Aviation Administration and is evaluating changes it will need to make to signage, letterhead and other marketing materials, said airport spokesperson Kristin Banfield.
It has also recorded the update with the International Airport Transportation Association, which will allow the new name to appear in the coming days on travel booking sites like Expedia, Kayak and TripAdvisor.
Though the decision removes Snohomish County from the name of the Puget Sound area’s second-largest airport, it was made with the support of the County Council and Executive Dave Somers, Banfield said.
The airport generates nearly $100 million in economic activity, including around 660 direct jobs, according to an economic impact study Propeller commissioned last year. That makes its growth a top priority for the county, Somers said.
“This change will significantly bolster our business attraction and marketing efforts, while protecting the historical significance of the Paine Field name,” he said. “Making this change will ensure businesses and travelers from around the world know that our airport serves as a crucial gateway to the entire region and the world.”
The airport houses more than 500 aircraft, including for pilot schools, corporate flights and recreational use. International shipping giant FedEx also operates out of a 19-acre facility at the airport, alongside jet maker Boeing, which has its Everett manufacturing operations at Paine Field.
SeaTac-based Alaska Airlines offers more than 20 flights a week to 10 destinations from the commercial terminal.
“While our name may have changed, the ownership, operations, and core mission of the airport remain unaffected,” said Paine Field’s director, Joshua Marcy. “This change will provide new opportunities for our many attractions and businesses.”