Why Flying Out of Yakima Airport Helps the Whole Valley

Why Yakima’s Airport Matters More Than People Think

If you are considering a move to Yakima, Washington, or you already live here and you are trying to figure out what daily life really looks like, you need to understand one big quality of life puzzle piece that gets overlooked all the time, our airport.

I am talking about Yakima Air Terminal, also known as YKM. It is easy to shrug and say, “Oh, I will just drive to SeaTac, ” or “I will just go to Tri Cities, ” but that little decision has a ripple effect that touches your time, your stress level, your wallet, and yes, even the long term growth of our community.

In the video, I sat down with Christopher Hopkins, the new director at Yakima Airport, and we got into the real behind the scenes reasons the airport matters. Not the fluffy stuff, the practical stuff. The kind of information that actually helps you decide where you want to live, how you want to travel, and what kind of community Yakima is working to be.

Central Location, Big Convenience

Yakima sits in a sweet spot in Washington state. We are centrally located, which means the airport is not just for “Yakima proper.” It serves the greater Yakima Valley and a big chunk of Central Washington.

Christopher explained it in a way I love because it is so simple, people are getting on planes and getting off planes here because they want to travel, and YKM is a very effective medium for doing that. Translation, this is not just a building with a runway, it is a tool that helps the region connect to the rest of the state and the rest of the country.

From a real estate perspective, that connectivity matters. People who relocate for healthcare, education, remote work, agriculture, or business development often ask me, “How hard is it to get in and out of Yakima?” The answer is, easier than you think if you actually use the airport that is already here.

The “Two Hour Drive” Trap

Let’s say you book out of SeaTac because you think it will save you a little money. Now you have:

• Roughly a two hour drive each way, and that is assuming the pass behaves and traffic does not do that Seattle thing
• Parking costs that can get spicy, fast
• Added time buffer for accidents, weather, or the “why is I 90 doing this today” mystery
• Extra stress before you even get to the TSA line

Christopher and I joked about it in the interview, and I will say it again here, driving to Seattle just to fly is a pain in the butt. There, I said it politely.

For many households, the convenience of flying out of Yakima is worth more than the small ticket difference, especially when you factor in gas, parking, and time.

A Quick Local Story That Sums It Up

When we were talking about improvements at the airport, the baggage situation came up, and it cracked me up because it is so Yakima-real. I mentioned that the old baggage setup felt like it was the same one from when I was a kid, and honestly, I was not exaggerating. Anyone who has stood there after a flight knows the vibe, bags pile up, people shuffle around, and you are kind of jockeying for position like it is a casual sport.

Christopher’s take was basically, yes, it is an oldie, some people say goody, but it is an oldie, and it is going away. That is the kind of practical modernization that improves the day to day experience for locals, business travelers, and people coming to visit family here.

The Economic Impact Is Not Small

One of the most important points in the conversation was the economic value of the airport to Yakima, Washington, and the region. A Washington State Department of Transportation study pegged the economic impact at over $600 million per year.

That is not a typo. Over $600 million a year.

When you hear numbers like that, it reframes the airport from “just where I catch my flight” into “a major piece of local infrastructure that helps keep the economy moving.”

It supports:

• Business travel and recruitment for employers in the valley
• Agriculture and seasonal operations that bring visitors and investors
• Medical travel and essential services
• Cargo and freight activity that helps supply chains run

If you care about Yakima being a place with growing opportunity, the airport is part of that foundation.

Harvest Season, Global Visitors, Real Money

We talked about something people outside the valley often underestimate, Yakima is internationally relevant because of agriculture. During ag season and harvest, we have folks flying in from around the world. Christopher and I referenced visitors from Japan and Germany who come to look at fruit because they are making large investments.

That is not “small town tourism.” That is global commerce. The airport helps make those trips realistic. It lowers friction. It signals that Yakima is connected and capable.

Why Flying Out of Yakima Can Actually Help Lower Fares Over Time

I hear this all the time, “It costs a little more to fly out of Yakima.” Sometimes it does, sometimes it does not, but the bigger point is what your behavior communicates to airlines.

Christopher put it plainly, when you support your local airport and airlines see demand, it increases the possibility of more flights, more frequency, and more routes.

In other words, if everyone drives away to fly, airlines see weak demand here, and the options stay limited. If more people fly out of Yakima, airlines see a stronger market, and that creates conditions where competition can show up.

Competition tends to equal lower fares, and better options.

And Let’s Talk About the Best Part, You Get Home in 10 Minutes

There is a line in the interview that is almost too perfect, supporting YKM allows you to get home in 10 minutes after you get off your flight. That is a true statement, and if you have ever rolled into Yakima after a trip, that last 10 minutes feels like luxury.

In a world where travel can be exhausting, that convenience is a big deal, and it is one of those daily life perks that people do not fully appreciate until they live here.

Terminal Upgrades: What Is Actually Changing

The Yakima Airport is not sitting still. There are phased projects to modernize the terminal, and the focus is very traveler-friendly. Christopher described improvements like:

• New ticket counters designed to speed things up and improve efficiency
• Upgraded restrooms, yes, it matters
• Enhancements to the passenger waiting area to make it more comfortable
• A better overall traveler experience from arrival to boarding

And yes, the baggage system is getting a long needed upgrade. The old drop down setup that lets cold air blast in is being replaced with a carousel system like you see at larger airports, climate controlled, and with improved seating while you wait for your bags.

These improvements make Yakima feel more modern for residents, and they make a better first impression for visitors coming to invest, work, or potentially move here.

Can Yakima Handle Bigger Planes? Actually, Yes

This is one of my favorite “wait, really?” facts. People assume a regional airport can only handle small aircraft. In the video, Christopher confirmed Yakima can accommodate a 737. He also shared that an Airbus 350 has been here, not scheduled, but as a diversion from SeaTac.

So what is the limitation then? It is not the runway and taxiways. It is more about scaling the terminal and facilities over time as passenger numbers grow.

That matters because if passenger demand increases, the airport can grow into it, and larger aircraft, more seats, and more service become more realistic.

The Natural Progression of Service

We joked a bit about the old twin props, and I remember those days too. Then the 175 came in, and the conversation turns into what comes next. If the market supports it, you can see the natural progression to larger jets and more connectivity.

That is a quality of life win, and it is also a business development win for Yakima, Washington.

How Is All This Paid For? Here Is the Part People Get Wrong

This section is important because I want to be crystal clear, the airport is not funded by City of Yakima general fund tax revenue. Christopher emphasized that they do not receive city revenues or general fund support. The airport operates responsibly as an enterprise fund.

So where does the money come from?

• Operations revenue generated at the airport, including airlines and commercial activity
• Revenue from corporate aircraft and businesses on site
• Support services such as Life Flight operations
• Federal and state funding for major capital projects like runway rehabilitation and terminal upgrades

In the interview, we talked about the terminal project being about $15 million, spread over a series of years. These are major projects, and they come with requirements, rules, and grant processes.

Key takeaway: modernization is not “your city taxes being thrown at the airport, ” it is a separate funding bucket tied to airport operations and grant funding.

Commercial Freight and General Aviation Matter Too

YKM is not only about passenger flights. There is also freight activity, and yes, FedEx is in the mix locally. The airport also supports general aviation and private aircraft. Christopher shared they do not charge general aviation like they do commercial operations, but they still value it as part of the airport ecosystem.

One thing I like about Yakima’s setup is that the airport does not depend on only one revenue source. It has a mix of commercial service, cargo, corporate, and medical and support operations. That diversification is a strength.

What This Means for People Moving to Yakima

When someone is relocating, they often compare Yakima to other Washington communities and ask about “access.” Can I get to family? Can I get to conferences? Can I travel for work without burning an entire day just driving to an airport?

YKM is part of that answer, and the more the community supports it, the better it gets.

Here is how I would frame it if you are evaluating daily life in Yakima, Washington:

• Convenience: shorter drives, easier parking, faster in and out
• Stress reduction: less battling traffic and mountain passes
• Community investment: local demand supports more routes and frequency
• Economic strength: business activity and agriculture investment are supported by connectivity
• Future growth: modernization and capacity improvements create room for expanded service

If you are in the stage of looking at available homes in Yakima, this is one of those “lifestyle infrastructure” items that should be on your checklist right alongside commute times, schools, and neighborhood feel.

How You Can Support the Airport Without Making It Weird

I am not here to guilt anyone into buying a more expensive ticket. I am here to help you think like a local, and like a homeowner, because small choices add up in a community.

If flying out of Yakima works for your schedule, consider doing it. The airport leadership is improving the facility, and passenger usage helps show airlines that Yakima is worth investing in.

Supporting YKM is one of those rare moves that can make your own life easier today, and improve options for everyone over time.

Want More “Living in Yakima” Reality Checks?

If you want more practical videos about Yakima neighborhoods, cost of living, and what it is actually like to move here, check out the channel. I try to keep it real, keep it helpful, and yes, keep it a little bit fun.

Conclusion: A Small Airport With a Big Role in Yakima Life

Yakima Air Terminal is not just a travel option, it is an economic engine, a community connector, and a quality of life benefit that people often underestimate until they live here. From the over $600 million annual regional impact to the practical convenience of being home in 10 minutes, this airport plays a bigger role in Yakima, Washington than most folks realize.

With terminal modernization underway, a new climate controlled baggage carousel coming, and the capacity to handle larger aircraft as demand grows, the trajectory is positive. The biggest missing ingredient is consistent community usage, because demand is what unlocks more flights, more routes, and eventually better pricing.

If you are thinking about moving here, or you have questions about where to live based on your lifestyle and travel needs, you can always reach out to us. And if you want to keep reading about local life, neighborhoods, and smart home buying in the valley, explore other posts at https://heritageyakima.com/blog.

Full Video Transcript

…transcript…

Let's just dive right in. >> All right. >> Tell us why it's so important [music] to have an air terminal in the Yakima Valley serving the greater Yakima Valley. >> Well, being that we're centrally located in Washington state, it's important for the folks [music] on the east side and more specifically the central side of Washington to have a a venue for travel to go to other parts of the state and other parts of the country. That's why us being here and and it's indicative of people getting on the planes, getting off the [music] planes. They're showing that they really want to travel and we're very good medium for people to travel. >> I think our central location allows us to serve a wide area here in central Washington. >> Yes. >> One of the things you and I talked about is don't go to [music] Tri-Cities, don't go to Seattle. Save yourself the two-hour drive, the cost of parking, the travel time, getting over I-90. It's all a pain in the butt, let's be honest. When we look at [music] regional airports and certainly a community like this, I know during ag season, during harvest, we got folks flying in from around the world, Japan, we Germans [music] coming in and we got international people coming to look at our fruit cuz they're making a large investment in it. And that's part of the big draw about [music] why we've got to have an airport here. Do you have an idea of the investment in terms of money back into the community as a result of having our airport? >> Well, WSDOT did a study on the economic impact of this airport to not only the city but the region and it was over $600 million a year this airport generates. >> It's so important for people to understand the value of an airport and why we got to keep flying out of Yakima. Spend the extra money, make the investment cuz we want this bad boy to be double the size and big jets coming in here and making flight around the world that much easier. So, why is it important then for us to fly out of here? It costs a little bit more money. Then, can you speak to that? >> It's very important to support YKN, your local airport, which allows you to get home in 10 minutes after you get off your flight. >> True statement. >> It's making a statement to the airlines that there is a demand here to get on a flight. And if they see that there's more employment, there's more demand, then that increases the possibility to getting more flights, more frequency, and more routes. Um so, supporting the airport by coming here instead of spending 2 hours up there, spending three times the parking and the time to come back, or going down to Tri-Cities just to save a couple hundred bucks. >> Right. >> Is very important because in the long run, it's going to bring competition in, and competition equals lower fares. So, if you'll invest now in your airport by traveling here, then you're going to be investing in more affordable flights. >> Seems to me like more people are traveling now than ever before. I travel quite a bit, and I'll tell you even I'm grateful to go through this TSA any day compared to getting over to to Seattle or even Tri-Cities. Again, to your point, the cost of parking is so inexpensive. I'm home in 10 minutes. There's no better way than to fly out of Yakima. There's some great new things coming down the pike. You've been working hard at some improvements, long needed improvements at the Yakima Airport. Can you speak to that a little? >> Um yes, in our terminal here, the traveler side coming in, where we've got a couple phase projects there. [music] We're totally modernizing it, um speeding things up, new ticket [music] counters, making it more efficient for people, upgrading our restrooms, and then we'll come over here into the the passenger waiting area and really enhance [music] that. Really working on making it a better traveler experience. [music] >> Excellent. And I heard about a new baggage carousel coming in. >> Yeah. >> I'm telling you that oldie was there when I was a kid. It has not changed. And it just gets so stacked and you're kind of jockeying for position to get your bags. So, >> [music] >> much needed. How much luggage will that carousel or what will that look like? >> It's oldie and some people say goody. I say it's an oldie and it's an oldie. The old drop down, slide down, let all the arctic blast come in off of the air. So, that's gone. It's going to be a carousel system just like what you see at airports. Comes around a carousel. It's climate controlled. We're going to even enhance [music] the seating area in there while you're waiting for your bags. As far as how much bags it'll it'll handle, it'll handle whatever one of these brings [music] in. A future 737 as we upgrade our service. >> So fantastic. [music] >> Yeah. >> And considering the upgrade of service, you and I spoke about [music] this. What are the size of plane that we can bring in? Is it true we can land a 737 here and even bigger? >> Oh, we've had an an Airbus 350 in here. >> Wow. >> It wasn't a scheduled. It was a it was a diversion up to SeaTac. We can accommodate it as far as the runway and taxiways are concerned. We just have to grow our terminal and we do that over time as passenger [music] numbers come up. We grow our facility so that we can handle it. But, we can accommodate a 737. >> a lot of people would be surprised. I don't think there's too many regional airports [music] in Washington that can handle that size of plane and bigger. >> That's correct. >> It's one of the unique features that the Yakima [music] airport has to offer. So, it would be pretty amazing to see some big daddies drop down here. >> We would love it. You're right. >> It would be fantastic. >> And we'd [music] love for our travelers to be flying out. You know, it wasn't too long ago that they were flying [music] in on the twin props. >> Oh, I remember. >> And then and then the 175 came in. So, the natural progression's up to the 300. >> Then they're bigger, they can make >> Bring it on. Bring it on. >> One of the things when I was doing research about this that I think is important to share, and that is how does all of this get paid for? [music] And I think it's so important to recognize this is not tax revenue. You're not getting money from the city of Yakima. >> Yeah, that's correct. We don't get any city city revenues. Um none of the general fund, uh which is great because then it forces us to operate responsibly as an enterprise fund project. Our funding comes from uh operations revenue here, and it's the airlines, it's corporate aircraft, it's businesses that are out here, our Life Flight's, etc. In addition to that, our funding for our main projects like our runway rehabilitation, our terminal rehabilitation, that comes from a federal and state money. >> It's ours. Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. And it's millions of dollars. This stuff is not cheap. >> It's not cheap at all. In fact, our terminal project here is about $15 million, but it's over a series of years. >> I think people would also be interested in knowing about the amount of commercial that comes out of here. FedEx is just down the road here. You have a lot of freight coming in this way as well. And then of course private aircraft at the end of the runway, is that right? >> Uh we do have all of that. We don't [music] charge for private aircraft general aviation. We love general aviation just like we like the commercial services aircraft. Uh we do not charge for them, but they just don't have the wallet um like our others do. So, [music] commercial operations is what we charge for, and we have plenty of that in addition to our folks at Horizon. We love them. We're grateful that they're out here providing [music] services. But we also have plenty of other revenues coming in here, and and we appreciate that. So, that is a good thing about Yakima is that we don't depend on just airline service. It's It's the other components I talked about, [music] the corporate businesses, you know, the life flights, etc. >> We were so fortunate to meet with Christopher Hopkins. He's the new director at the Yakima Airport [music] and he shared with us a part of the changes that are happening at our [music] local terminal. Christopher talked about this briefly, but it's important to recognize the money for this expansion does not come from the general fund from the city of Yakima. This is through grant money, federal [music] money, and money that the airport is able to generate to pay for these things. So, I want you to be aware that this is not your tax money going to work down there. It is really a totally separate bucket of money that we have to go after, grant money we got to seek. [music] There's going to be rules and regulations in order to receive that money, but we need it in order to really bring our municipal [music] airport up to snuff. We need you to fly out of here. The more we can use this airport and handle a high uh [music] passenger load, the cheaper our tickets will get, I promise you. >> [music] >> More flights will come, more airlines will be interested in what we have to offer here. I want to offer a big thank you to Christopher Hopkins, the director at Yakima Municipal Airport, Fly YKM. We're so fortunate to have that kind of leadership and longevity here in the valley.