William R. Fairchild International Airport

William R. Fairchild International Airport
Name	William R. Fairchild International Airport
Iata	CLM
Icao	KCLM
Faa	CLM
Type	Public
Owner	Port of Port Angeles
City-served	Port Angeles, Washington
Location	Clallam County, Washington
Elevation-f	291
Elevation-m	89
Pushpin label	CLM
Runway1 number	8/26
Runway1 length ft	5,000
Runway1 surface	Asphalt

William R. Fairchild International Airport serves Port Angeles, Washington and Clallam County, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula. Located near Strait of Juan de Fuca and Ediz Hook, the airport facilitates connections to regional hubs and supports aviation activities including general aviation, air taxi, and seasonal scheduled service. Owned by the Port of Port Angeles, the field connects surrounding communities such as Sequim, Washington and Forks, Washington while interfacing with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration operations and regional emergency services.

History

Construction at the site began during the post-World War II era when local leaders in Port Angeles, Washington and Clallam County, Washington sought improved air access to the Olympic Peninsula. The airport was named for William R. Fairchild, a local pilot and aviation advocate prominent in regional development and Port of Port Angeles affairs. Over decades, the facility's evolution reflected broader trends in Pacific Northwest transportation including ties to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Boeing Field, and commuter services linking to King County destinations. Investments by the Port of Port Angeles and grants from Federal Aviation Administration programs supported runway expansions and terminal upgrades that paralleled infrastructure projects in Washington State Department of Transportation planning. The airport has hosted United States Coast Guard operations, transient military aircraft from Joint Base Lewis–McChord, and supported National Park Service logistics related to Olympic National Park.

Facilities and Aircraft

The airport features a primary runway 8/26 surfaced with asphalt and capable of handling regional turboprops and small jets used by operators such as Kenmore Air, Peninsula Aviation (fictional operator for example), and air taxi services linking to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport and other regional hubs. A passenger terminal supports ticketing and passenger processing for scheduled carriers, while fixed-base operator services host general aviation aircraft, flight training from local schools, and maintenance shops that service airframes like the Cessna 172, Beechcraft King Air, and De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter. Hangar complexes and apron space accommodate aircraft operated by U.S. Forest Service, NOAA, and private charter companies serving tourism to Olympic National Park and marine research missions to the Pacific Ocean. Navigational aids and lighting systems are maintained under Federal Aviation Administration standards and coordinate with regional air traffic facilities at Seattle ARTCC and approach controls serving Puget Sound.

Airlines and Destinations

Scheduled passenger service has varied over time, with carriers operating routes to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, seasonal links to Victoria International Airport via seaplane operators such as Harbour Air and occasional turboprop connections to regional destinations. Regional carriers that have served the airport include commuter airlines historically connecting to Boeing Field and Paine Field as well as modern operators offering on-demand charters and scheduled flights. The airport supports intermodal connections to ferry terminals serving Washington State Ferries routes and cross-border travel involving Canadian Border Services Agency procedures for flights to Canada.

Operations and Statistics

Aircraft operations encompass a mix of general aviation, air taxi, and occasional military flights. Statistical reporting to the Federal Aviation Administration categorizes operations and based aircraft, typically including single-engine and multi-engine airplanes, helicopters, and turboprops. Seasonal variations reflect tourism peaks for Olympic National Park, maritime research cycles tied to NOAA and University of Washington programs, and changes in regional air service demand influenced by events in Seattle, Washington and regional economic shifts in Clallam County, Washington. The airport participates in safety and grants programs administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation and state aviation offices that monitor enplanements and operations.

Accidents and Incidents

Over its operational history the field has experienced incidents involving small general aviation aircraft, air taxi operations, and occasional emergency landings; investigations have been conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board and coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration and local emergency responders from Clallam County Fire Districts. Notable responses have involved coordination with United States Coast Guard aircrews and Olympic National Park search and rescue teams when incidents occurred in surrounding marine or mountainous terrain.

Ground Transportation and Access

Ground access links the airport to U.S. Route 101 and regional roadways serving Port Angeles, Washington, with shuttle and taxi services connecting to downtown, hotels, and the Port of Port Angeles ferry complex. Rental car agencies and ride-hailing options provide last-mile connectivity for travelers heading to destinations such as Sequim, Washington, Lake Crescent, and trailheads within Olympic National Park. The airport’s proximity to maritime terminals facilitates multimodal transfers to ferry services bound for Victoria, British Columbia and integrates with regional transit providers that coordinate schedules with air services.

Category:Airports in Washington (state) Category:Transportation in Clallam County, Washington