Alaska's partner wants to fly out of Everett, Wash.

Horizon Air, the regional partner of Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, said it is “pursuing plans” to start flying out of a new Seattle-area airport -- the one in Everett, Washington, which currently has no commercial airline service. Everett, in Snohomish County north of Seattle, is about 45 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International, and the city council there recently approved a resolution in favor of letting commercial airlines fly out of its airport. The facility is mainly used by Boeing for delivery flights of new planes, and by general aviation aircraft. Horizon said it has its eye on flights from Everett to Portland and Spokane starting “before next summer,” using 70-seat Q400 turboprops. Passengers could pick up a number of connections at Portland. Before making a final decision, “Horizon needs to secure a cost-effective lease agreement at the airport related to the terminal facilities necessary for check-in, screening of passengers and baggage, and flight boarding,” the airline said.