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Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) - 2:57 PM PDT Monday

Southwest-Boeing Field battle escalates

Southwest Airlines' proposal to utilize Boeing Field is stirring organized opposition, while the airline promises to mitigate noise concerns if Boeing Field service is adopted.

On Tuesday, a consortium opposed to Southwest operating at Boeing Field, led by leaders of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, will hold a briefing to "announce the formation of an alliance that is opposed to establishing commercial passenger jet service at King County International Airport (Boeing Field) in Seattle."

Meanwhile, Southwest says it will operate quiet planes at Boeing Field.

In an Aug. 18 letter to King County Executive Ron Sims, Southwest Senior Vice President Ron Ricks says Southwest will use 737-700 airplanes at Boeing Field, which are "significantly quieter" than other planes regularly used at the airport.

Ricks also said planes would use a flight path over Elliott Bay, instead of over residential areas, in order to diffuse noise complaints. He said the airline would not operate in the middle of the night and "absolutely will not schedule so-called 'red-eye' flights" at Boeing Field.

Last month, Southwest said it would pay for a $130 million passenger terminal at Boeing Field.