Sea-Tac alternative airport delay

Alaska Airlines had planned to start commercial service at Seattle’s alternative airport on Feb. 11. But operations at the small airport in Everett, Wash., stalled because the workers needed to complete Federal Aviation Administration requirements had been furloughed because of the partial government shutdown.

On Friday, President Trump announced a deal to fund the government through Feb. 15.

Paine Field, about 30 miles north of Seattle in Snohomish County, is a small private-public airport positioning itself as an alternative to busy Sea-Tac International Airport. Alaska and United were the first two airlines to sign on.

As the shutdown lingered, Alaska moved the start date for service to March 4 for select flights, with service to L.A. starting March 5 and to Orange County starting March 12.

Before the shutdown compromise was reached, Alaska told passengers who were supposed to f ly between Feb. 11 and March 4 that they would be rebooked on a SeaTac flight as close to their original flight times as possible or that they would be given a refund.

It was not clear by midday Friday, the deadline for the Travel section, how quickly Alaska could be up and running at Paine Field.

United Airlines service set to connect with hubs in Denver and San Francisco is scheduled to begin March 31.

The partial government shutdown, which began Dec. 22, also affected other airline operations.

Southwest Airlines’ California-Hawaii service has been delayed because the long-haul certification could not be completed while FAA workers were furloughed.

The government could shut down again if lawmakers fail to reach an agreement on border security.