Yakima Air Terminal (McAllister Field)

Yakima Air Terminal (McAllister Field)
Name	Yakima Air Terminal (McAllister Field)
Nativename	McAllister Field
Iata	YKM
Icao	KYKM
Faa	YKM
Type	Public
Owner	City of Yakima
City-served	Yakima, Washington
Location	Yakima County, Washington
Elevation-f	1,061
Pushpin label	YKM
R1-number	9/27
R1-length-f	8,004
R1-surface	Asphalt
R2-number	3/21
R2-length-f	3,835
R2-surface	Asphalt

Yakima Air Terminal (McAllister Field) is a public airport serving the Yakima metropolitan area in Yakima County, Washington. Owned by the City of Yakima, the airport provides scheduled commercial service, general aviation, air cargo, and military operations. The field is a regional hub connecting central Washington to major hubs such as Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, with facilities supporting a mix of commuter air carriers, corporate aviation, and flight training.

History

The airport originated in the 1920s when aviation activity near Yakima River and Selah increased, and it was developed through municipal initiatives during the Great Depression era alongside public works trends. During World War II, the airfield supported wartime aviation activities tied to western air defense and liaison roles that paralleled operations at McChord Field and Felts Field. Postwar growth mirrored regional aviation expansion seen at Boeing Field and was punctuated by infrastructure investments in the 1950s and 1960s influenced by federal programs akin to the Federal Airport Act. The name McAllister Field commemorates local aviation advocates and civic leaders connected to Yakima’s municipal development and has been used in municipal records, city council proceedings, and regional planning documents. Over decades the airport adapted to airline deregulation trends exemplified by the Airline Deregulation Act era, attracting commuter routes similar to those operated from Paine Field and Bellingham International Airport.

Facilities and Operations

Yakima Air Terminal features a primary runway 9/27 accommodating regional jets and turboprops, and a secondary runway 3/21 for light aircraft, paralleling configurations at many regional airports like Robertson Field (Connecticut) and Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport. The terminal houses ticketing, baggage handling, and passenger waiting areas comparable to small hub facilities at Pullman–Moscow Regional Airport and Moses Lake Grant County International Airport. Fixed-base operators provide services including fuel, maintenance, and flight instruction in the model of operations seen at Kenmore Air Harbor and Portland International Airport (PDX) satellite services. Air traffic control procedures follow Federal Aviation Administration standards and coordinate with the Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Center and regional flight service stations. Navigational aids, runway lighting, and instrument approaches support operations in variable Cascade Range weather similar to procedures used at Spokane International Airport and Tri-Cities Airport (Washington).

Airlines and Destinations

Commercial service has included regional connections to major hubs such as Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Portland International Airport, and seasonal links to McCarran International Airport in patterns resembling service from other Washington regional airports. Airlines operating at the field historically and in contemporary schedules have included regional affiliates of national carriers analogous to operations by carriers at Yakima Air Terminal peers like Horizon Air affiliates, with turboprop and regional jet equipment. Cargo and charter operators support freight and bespoke passenger movements similar to services from FedEx and UPS affiliates at small commercial airports.

Ground Transportation and Access

Ground access to the airport connects with Interstate 82 and state routes serving central Yakima Valley communities like Union Gap and Selah. Surface transportation options include rental car counters, private shuttle services, and taxi operations in a manner comparable to surface services at Tri-Cities Airport (Washington) and Pullman–Moscow Regional Airport. Regional transit links tie into Yakima Transit routes and intercity bus corridors that parallel connectivity seen at airports such as Wenatchee Pangborn Memorial Airport and Bellingham International Airport. Parking facilities accommodate short-term and long-term needs similar to municipal airport parking models.

Military and Government Use

The airfield supports periodic military operations by units deploying from installations including Fort Lewis (now part of Joint Base Lewis–McChord) and transient sorties associated with Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve elements, reflecting the dual-use role common to many regional airports. Government aerial missions—such as law enforcement, aerial firefighting coordination, and emergency medical flights—operate from the field in coordination with agencies akin to Washington State Patrol, United States Forest Service, and Yakima County emergency services. The airport’s apron and ramp areas accommodate military cargo and support aircraft on a non-permanent basis consistent with mutual aid and civil support frameworks.

Accidents and Incidents

The airport’s safety record includes occasional general aviation mishaps and non-fatal incidents typical of regional fields, investigated by bodies such as the National Transportation Safety Board and coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration. Historical events have involved small aircraft during approach or departure phases under challenging Cascade Range weather and have informed runway safety and emergency response protocols modeled after best practices at regional airports.

Economic and Community Impact

Yakima Air Terminal functions as an economic asset for the Yakima metropolitan economy, supporting agribusiness logistics for the Yakima Valley fruit industry, air tourism tied to nearby recreation in the Washington Cascade Range, and business travel for local firms paralleling economic roles of airports like Lewiston–Nez Perce County Airport and Wenatchee Pangborn Memorial Airport. The facility stimulates employment through airlines, airport operations, FBOs, and associated service providers and contributes to regional connectivity that influences investment decisions and municipal planning in Yakima County. Community engagement includes educational outreach with local institutions like Yakima Valley Community College, aviation events common to regional airports, and coordination with local government for land use and economic development initiatives.

Category:Airports in Washington (state) Category:Yakima, Washington