EVERETT, Wash. – Seattle-based Horizon Air wants to offer commercial flights departing from Paine Field in Snohomish County.

Snohomish County officials say they were notified this morning of Horizon's proposal to start flights as early as summer of 2009.

Horizon wants to begin daily service from Paine Field to Spokane and Portland, Oregon. The airline would use a 76-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop airplane for the flights, which would facilitate same-day business trips between the two cities.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon opposes commercial flights at the airport.

"For personal reasons, I don't believe commercial air is compatible with current operations at Paine Field or the numerous households now surrounding the airport," Reardon said in a press release. "But we will continue following the law."

Federal law requires good-faith negotiations with any airline.

Allegiant Air also seeks to offer flights from Paine Field. Reardon's staff has been involved with conversations between Allegiant, Paine Field officials and the Transportation Security Administration. He said Horizon would now be included in those conversations.