Yuma International Airport

Yuma International Airport is a public airport located in Yuma County, Arizona, about 2 miles south of the central business district of Yuma, Arizona, and is operated by the Yuma County Airport Authority. The airport serves as a major transportation hub for the Imperial Valley region, including El Centro, California, and is also used by the United States Air Force and the United States Army for training and logistics purposes, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and the Yuma Proving Ground. The airport is situated near the Colorado River and the California-Arizona border, making it an important gateway for trade and commerce between the Southwestern United States and Mexico, particularly with the cities of San Luis Río Colorado and Mexicali.

● Overview

Yuma International Airport is classified as a non-hub primary airport by the Federal Aviation Administration and is served by several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, which offer flights to destinations such as Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport. The airport is also a popular destination for general aviation and is home to several fixed-base operators, including Atlantic Aviation and Landmark Aviation, which provide fuel, maintenance, and other services to private aircraft owners and operators, such as Cessna and Gulfstream Aerospace. Additionally, the airport is used by several cargo airlines, including FedEx Express and UPS Airlines, which transport goods and packages to and from the region, often in conjunction with the Union Pacific Railroad and the BNSF Railway.

● History

The airport was established in 1928 as a small municipal airfield, and during World War II, it was used by the United States Army Air Forces as a training base for pilots and aircrew, in conjunction with the Luke Air Force Base and the Williams Air Force Base. In the 1950s and 1960s, the airport underwent significant expansion and modernization, with the construction of new runways, taxiways, and terminal facilities, funded in part by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 and the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970. The airport was also used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for testing and training purposes, particularly in conjunction with the Edwards Air Force Base and the Dryden Flight Research Center. Today, the airport is a vital part of the regional economy, generating millions of dollars in revenue and supporting thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, in industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, particularly in the cities of Yuma, Arizona, El Centro, California, and San Luis, Arizona.

● Facilities

Yuma International Airport has two runways, including a 13,300-foot primary runway and a 6,200-foot crosswind runway, which are equipped with advanced navigation and landing systems, including instrument landing systems and global positioning systems, similar to those used at Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. The airport also has a modern terminal building, which features a range of amenities, including restaurants, shops, and lounges, such as TSA Precheck and USO, as well as a Federal Inspection Service facility for international passengers, similar to those found at Miami International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. Additionally, the airport has a number of hangars and maintenance facilities, which are used by airlines, general aviation operators, and the military, including the United States Air Force and the United States Army, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and the Yuma Proving Ground.

● Airlines_and_Destinations

Yuma International Airport is served by several major airlines, including American Airlines, which offers flights to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, as well as Delta Air Lines, which offers flights to Salt Lake City International Airport and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. The airport is also served by United Airlines, which offers flights to San Francisco International Airport and Denver International Airport, as well as several regional airlines, including SkyWest Airlines and Mesa Airlines, which offer flights to destinations such as Los Angeles International Airport and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. Additionally, the airport is served by several cargo airlines, including FedEx Express and UPS Airlines, which transport goods and packages to and from the region, often in conjunction with the Union Pacific Railroad and the BNSF Railway.

● Statistics

Yuma International Airport is a relatively small airport, with a total of 145,000 passengers in 2020, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The airport has a total of 12,000 aircraft operations per year, including commercial airline flights, general aviation flights, and military operations, similar to those found at Palm Springs International Airport and Tucson International Airport. The airport also has a significant economic impact on the region, generating millions of dollars in revenue and supporting thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, in industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, particularly in the cities of Yuma, Arizona, El Centro, California, and San Luis, Arizona.

● Accidents_and_Incidents

There have been several accidents and incidents at Yuma International Airport over the years, including a 1995 crash of a United States Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon that occurred during a training exercise, similar to those that have occurred at Nellis Air Force Base and Edwards Air Force Base. In 2007, a Cessna 208 Caravan crashed while attempting to land at the airport, resulting in several injuries, and in 2013, a Gulfstream G650 experienced a mechanical failure and made an emergency landing at the airport, similar to incidents that have occurred at Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. The airport has a strong safety record, with a low rate of accidents and incidents compared to other airports of similar size, thanks in part to the efforts of the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.