Three Portland investors have launched a new airline that connects the Rose City with Seattle. On June 30, SeaPort Air began operating 16 flights each weekday from Boeing Field, with one-way fares starting at $149. The new service is a clear pitch for busy executives, allowing passengers to arrive 15 minutes before the flight, providing onsite parking, and allowing the use of PDAs in-flight. The 90- minute flight lands at SeaPort's own terminal at Portland International Airport, thus bypassing long lines and Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at PDX and Sea-Tac, to say nothing of the travel time to and parking hassles.

SeaPort operates Swiss-built Pilatus PC-12 turboprops on the route. The company's parent also operates Wings of Alaska, connecting Juneau with outlying communities.

At the same time, Las Vegasbased Allegiant Air, already operating out of Bellingham, has been looking for a second western Washington airport that could host flights to Sin City.

Allegiant flies 14 times a week from Bellingham to Las Vegas, Reno, Palm Springs and Phoenix. It has approached Snohomish County officials about flying in to Paine Field, but has been stymied by the long-running local fight over the use of the airport for scheduled air service.

Port of Bremerton officials are also talking with Allegiant about restarting regular airline service to Bremerton National Airport.