Paine Field is a shorter driver for a larger number of people than Bellingham. They're probably less comparable than you think. More importantly, regardless of how few destinations are served from Paine Field, it will still be more than the status quo.

The people who I fear might be disappointed are those for whom Bellingham is the most convenient airport. With some of the north of Seattle traffic presumably shifting south to Paine Field, will Alaska maintain the same routes and frequency in Bellingham?