Tri-Cities Airport (Washington)

Tri-Cities Airport (Washington)
Name	Tri-Cities Airport (Washington)
Iata	PSC
Icao	KPSC
Faa	PSC
Type	Public
Owner	Port of Pasco
City-served	Tri-Cities, Washington
Location	Pasco, Washington
Elevation-ft	394
Website	Port of Pasco

Tri-Cities Airport (Washington) Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) is a public use airport serving the Tri-Cities region of Washington state, including Pasco, Richland, and Kennewick. It functions as a regional aviation hub with scheduled commercial service, general aviation, and cargo operations, connecting the area to national networks operated by multiple major carriers. The airport is owned and operated by the Port of Pasco and sits near the confluence of the Columbia River and the larger transportation corridors linking to Interstate 82 and U.S. Route 395.

History

The airport traces its origins to wartime and early commercial aviation developments in the Pacific Northwest, influenced by regional growth tied to the Hanford Site, Bonneville Power Administration, and agricultural expansion in the Yakima Valley. Post-World War II civil aviation trends and federal programs such as the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 spurred investments that shaped the original terminal and runways. Throughout the late 20th century, the facility adapted to airline deregulation and expansions by carriers like United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and low-cost entrants including Southwest Airlines and Horizon Air. Regional economic drivers—such as technology firms, research institutions like Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and logistics activities around the Port of Benton—have influenced passenger growth and cargo throughput. Periodic upgrades were implemented to meet standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration and to support operations by regional partners including SkyWest Airlines and Mesa Airlines.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The airport features multiple asphalt runways configured to accommodate narrow-body commercial jets and general aviation aircraft, with instrument approaches governed by standards from the Federal Aviation Administration and navigational aids aligned with Global Positioning System procedures. Terminal facilities include ticketing, baggage handling, security screening administered under Transportation Security Administration protocols, concession areas, rental car counters serving companies such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, and ground handling provided by firms aligned with major carriers. Fixed-base operator services support flight training, maintenance, and corporate aviation clients that may be associated with firms like Boeing, regional energy contractors, or agricultural aviation operators. Airport safety and emergency response coordination involve the Pasco Fire Department and regional mutual aid agreements with neighboring municipalities including Richland, Washington and Kennewick, Washington.

Airlines and Destinations

Commercial service at the airport includes mainline and regional flights connecting to major hubs such as Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport. Airlines serving the airport have included legacy carriers (United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines), Pacific operators (Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air), and regional affiliates under capacity purchase agreements with nationwide network carriers operated by companies such as SkyWest Airlines and Republic Airways. Seasonal and charter operations link to destinations relevant to tourism and business corridors involving connections to markets like Las Vegas Strip, San Francisco International Airport, and agricultural export logistics through inland ports.

Statistics

Passenger enplanement trends reflect regional socio-economic patterns tied to sectors represented by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, energy projects at Columbia Generating Station, and commodity shipments through river ports like Port of Pasco. Annual passenger counts and aircraft operations are tracked in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration reporting categories, showing fluctuations aligned with national airline network changes and events such as COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state). Cargo volumes relate to perishables and high-value regional manufacturing components transported in coordination with freight carriers and logistics partners including FedEx and UPS Airlines.

Ground Transportation and Access

Ground access integrates surface routes via U.S. Route 395 and Interstate 82, with connections to transit services operated by Ben Franklin Transit providing local bus links to Pasco, Richland, and Kennewick. Onsite and nearby parking infrastructure accommodates short-term and long-term vehicles with shuttle services connecting to regional hotels and business districts invested in by entities such as regional chambers of commerce and visitor bureaus. Rental car operations engage national brands, and taxi and rideshare services interact with municipal regulations overseen by local authorities in Franklin County, Washington.

Accidents and Incidents

Over its operational history the airport has experienced incidents typical of regional airports, involving general aviation aircraft, runway excursions, and mechanical failures investigated under protocols from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. Notable occurrences prompted procedural reviews and infrastructure adjustments coordinated with emergency responders including the Pasco Police Department and county-level agencies. Investigations have led to safety recommendations adopted in airport operating procedures and pilot advisories consistent with recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Future Development and Expansion

Planned development initiatives focus on terminal modernization, airfield pavement rehabilitation, enhancements to instrument approach capabilities, and sustainability measures influenced by regional planning bodies and funding mechanisms such as the Airport Improvement Program grants administered by the Federal Aviation Administration. Expansion considerations account for projected passenger growth driven by economic activity around the Hanford Site cleanup program, technology sector expansions tied to research institutions, and freight demand shaped by river port logistics and interstate freight corridors. Stakeholders including the Port of Pasco, local governments, and regional economic development councils coordinate master planning to align capital projects with federal, state, and private investment timelines.

Category:Airports in Washington (state)