UPDATED MASTER PLAN APPROVED FOR KYKM TO SUPPORT INCREASED ACTIVITY THROUGH

The Yakima City Council recently approved an updated master plan for Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field (kYKM) for operations through 2040. The plan outlines an estimated increase of 12.6% in operations by 2030 and a 23.1% increase in operations by 2040. The airport also expects a climb in corporate aviation activity from 131 aircraft based at KYKM in 2018 to an anticipated rise to 173 based aircraft in 2040.

According to a 2020 Washington State Department of Transportation study, KYKM produces an economic impact of around $591 million and is responsible for 2,364 jobs in the area. The master plan project scope includes the rehabilitation of the west end of the general aviation apron area that was finished in 2019 along with east end rehabilitation which is expected to be completed in 2022. Additional future projects include the construction of a taxi lane and passenger terminal improvements scheduled for 2025 through 2028. KYKM has experienced an uptick in operations with aircraft that utilize the airport as a base for aerial firefighting operations and corporations, including local fruit manufacturers, using KYKM’s hangar facilities for their private aircraft. The airport also expects passenger activity to increase by 19% in the next decade and by 21% in 2040.