Fly Local, Yakima!

Use it or lose it: the future of YKM depends on the people who fly it. Every ticket we book here strengthens our case for more flights, more destinations, and an airport our valley deserves. Yakima Air Terminal (YKM) is planning its biggest upgrade in decades with more flights, more destinations, and a real shot at becoming the Northwest’s favorite “secret” airport. Director Christopher Hopkins is working with airlines and the state to add routes to Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Portland, on top of the daily Seattle service.

The Airport, by the Numbers

• 1928: Year it Opened
• 7,604 ft: Runway Length
• 35,000+: Flights Annually

Where We’re Headed

Right now, Seattle is the only nonstop on the board, with just a handful of flights a day. But behind the scenes, Hopkins’ team has been meeting with airlines, state legislators, and transportation officials to make the case that Yakima deserves more room on the schedule. Community surveys are already underway asking residents which destinations they’d fly first, and a route to Mexico has come up as a longer-term possibility.

There’s an even bigger idea in the mix, too: some officials envision Yakima becoming a hub for short-hop electric aircraft, shuttling travelers in from around the state in as little as 30 to 45 minutes so they can catch longer flights from here instead of fighting Sea-Tac traffic and parking. It’s early days, but it’s the kind of forward-looking plan that could make Yakima a genuinely central player in Washington air travel, not just a small-town alternative to it.

Why Supporting The Airport Matters

Small airports run on “use it or lose it”. Every ticket sold is a vote to keep our routes and the ripple effects reach the whole Valley.

• Jobs & investment: more airport jobs, ground services, and eligibility for federal funding.
• Agriculture keeps moving: apples, cherries, hops, and wine need fast, reliable connections to buyers and distributors.
• Healthcare access: specialists and traveling patients depend on the airport being an option.
• Business stays local: companies can fly in clients and partners without a four-hour Seattle detour.
• A stronger case for growth: steady ridership builds the case for Yakima’s future as a regional hub.

Why Supporting The Airport Matters

• Save the drive: skip the pass and the multi-hour drive to SeaTac.
• Save the stress: security measured in minutes, not “did we miss it” panic.
• Save the money: closer, cheaper parking and no shuttle-bus safari.

Let’s Go → https://flyykm.com