Klamath Falls Airport: Does It Exist?

Klamath Falls, Oregon, is served by the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport, located five miles southeast of the city. The airport was built in 1928 and has been used for both civil and military purposes. While it currently does not have any commercial airlines serving the airport, it welcomes private and corporate flights and is a popular airport for flight training and recreational flying. The airport is an important economic generator for the region, producing over $85 million in economic impact and supporting around 750 jobs.

Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport

Klamath Falls, Oregon, does have an airport, known as Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport (IATA: LMT, ICAO: KLMT, FAA LID: LMT). The airport is located five miles southeast of Klamath Falls and is owned by the city. It is a public-use airport that serves Klamath County, Oregon, United States.

The history of the airport dates back to 1928 when the citizens of Klamath Falls approved the sale of bonds to fund the construction of the Klamath Falls Municipal Airport. It initially featured gravel runways and a single Fixed-Base Operator. During World War II, the airport was selected as a Naval Air Station and was named NAS Klamath Falls. In 1945, the airport resumed its civil operations, and by the 1950s, it had become a joint-use civil-military location, playing a role in the U.S. Air Force Air Defense Command.

In terms of operations, the airport handles a variety of aircraft, including single-engine, jet, military, multi-engine, and helicopter. In the year ending December 31, 2021, the airport recorded 35,123 aircraft operations, averaging 96 per day. The breakdown of these operations was 54% general aviation, 37% military, and 9% air taxi. The airport is also home to several aviation-related facilities, including the Klamath Falls Interagency Fire Center, the Klamath Falls Airtanker Base, and the Tanker 61 Memorial.

While the airport has a rich history of commercial flights, it currently does not have any scheduled commercial airline service. The closest airport with commercial service is the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, located 70 miles west of Klamath Falls.

No commercial flights

The closest airport to Klamath Falls, Oregon is the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport, located five miles southeast of downtown Klamath Falls. While the airport does not currently offer any commercial flights, it does welcome private and corporate flights.

In the past, the airport has been serviced by several commercial airlines, including United Express, SkyWest, Horizon Air, and PenAir, which provided daily flights to and from Portland until 2017. However, as of 2024, there are no commercial airlines serving the airport. This is unfortunate, as the airport is an important economic generator, contributing over $85 million to the regional community and supporting around 750 jobs.

The lack of commercial flights at Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport means that passengers seeking commercial air travel will need to use an alternative airport. The closest airport with commercial service is the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, located about 70 miles west of Klamath Falls. This airport is served by several major airlines, including Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, and United, and offers direct flights to a range of destinations.

For those seeking alternative forms of transportation, Klamath Falls also offers other options. The city is a hub for transportation, with Highway 140, Highway 97, and Highway 39 all converging there, making it an ideal jumping-off point for road trips or business travel. Additionally, the Amtrak Coast Starlight train service runs through Klamath Falls, providing daily northbound and southbound connections to other destinations.

While the lack of commercial flights at Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport may be an inconvenience for some, the airport remains an important hub for private, corporate, and military aviation. The airport is also a popular location for fixed-wing flight training, scenic tours, and recreational flying.

Aviation and non-aviation uses

The closest airport to Klamath Falls, Oregon is the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport, located five miles southeast of downtown Klamath Falls. The airport is home to the Oregon Air National Guard's 173rd Fighter Wing, an advanced air-to-air combat training centre for the Regular Air Force and Air Force Reserve, flying the F-15 Eagle. The airport is also used by general aviation, military aviation, and a few airline flights. In addition, the airport is an important economic generator, with approximately 750 people working at the airport or in aviation-related businesses located on or near the airfield, contributing over $85 million to the regional community.

While the airport currently does not have any commercial airlines serving Klamath Falls, it welcomes private and corporate flights. The airport is a popular destination for fixed-wing flight training, scenic tours, recreational flying, and executive business travel. The airport has two runways, a control tower, and on-field services such as fuelling, ramp space, maintenance, and repair. It also offers developable land for both aviation and non-aviation uses, with utilities like electricity, water, gas, sewer, telephone, and fibre optics readily available.

The history of the airport dates back to 1928 when citizens of Klamath Falls approved the sale of bonds to construct the Klamath Falls Municipal Airport. It initially featured gravel runways and a single Fixed-Base Operator. During World War II, it was selected as a Naval Air Station, and in 1945 it returned to civil use. In the following decades, it served as a joint-use civil-military location, accommodating various military groups and aircraft. In 1957, the airport was dedicated as Kingsley Field, and it continues to play a significant role in military aviation.

In terms of non-aviation uses, the airport is home to several important facilities. These include the Klamath Falls Interagency Fire Center, the Klamath Falls Airtanker Base, and the Tanker 61 Memorial, honouring a TBM Inc. firebomber lost in 1992. The airport also has a restaurant located upstairs in the terminal building and offers free parking for visitors. Nearby lodging and dining options are also available in Klamath Falls.

Although there are no commercial flights currently operating from the airport, the closest airport with commercial service is the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, located about 70 miles west of Klamath Falls. This airport is served by several major airlines and provides connections to various destinations. Additionally, the Amtrak Coast Starlight train service runs daily through Klamath Falls, offering an alternative mode of transportation for travellers in the region.

Military aviation

The Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport is a public-use airport located in Klamath County, Oregon, five miles southeast of Klamath Falls. It is used by the general public, the military, and a few commercial airline flights. The airport is categorized as a primary commercial service airport, with over 10,000 passenger boardings per year.

The airport has a long history of military aviation use, dating back to the years following World War I. In 1928, citizens of Klamath Falls approved the sale of $50,000 worth of bonds to construct the airport, which initially featured gravel runways and a single large hangar. During World War II, the airport was selected as a Naval Air Station, known as NAS Klamath Falls. In 1945, the airport was transferred back to civil use, but it continued to serve a military role. In 1954, it was chosen as a U.S. Air Force Air Defense Command base, becoming a joint-use civil-military location. The 408th Fighter Group supervised these activities, utilizing North American F-86 Sabres equipped with Mighty Mouse rockets and airborne intercept radar.

Today, the airport continues to support military aviation operations. It serves as the home base of the Air Oregon National Guard's 173rd Fighter Wing and its squadron of F-15 Eagle fighters. The 173rd FW is an advanced air-to-air combat training center for Regular Air Force and Air National Guard F-15 pilots. It also hosts joint and combined air combat exercises for all U.S. military services and those of Canada. The airport's military operations make up a significant portion of its activities, with 37% of its aircraft operations being military in the year ending December 31, 2021.

The airport is also home to several organizations supporting military and civilian aviation, including the Klamath Falls Interagency Fire Center, the Klamath Falls Airtanker Base, and the Tanker 61 Memorial, commemorating a TBM Inc. firebomber lost in 1992. The airport's military presence contributes to the local economy, with aviation-related businesses generating over $85 million in economic impact for the regional community.

Klamath Falls' economic generator

Klamath Falls, Oregon, is a city with a diverse range of industries that drive its economic growth. The region has a population of around 21,000 people, with a median household income of $45,000. The local government has demonstrated a commitment to supporting businesses, and Klamath Falls has seen steady growth in recent years. The future looks bright for the economy of this city, which is an attractive destination for businesses and families looking to relocate.

The region's strong education sector, natural beauty, and low cost of living are some of its key attractions. The city is home to Oregon Tech, the Northwest's premier polytechnic university. The education industry employs around 1,300 people, with Oregon Tech being the largest employer in this sector, with approximately 900 employees. The healthcare industry is another key driver of the economy, employing approximately 1,700 people. Sky Lakes Medical Center is the largest employer in this sector, with around 1,000 employees. Other significant employers in the region include The Home Depot, Diamond Home Improvement, Wells Fargo, AT&T, and Jeld-Wen.

The Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport, located five miles southeast of Klamath Falls, also plays an important role in the local economy. Approximately 750 people work at the airport or in aviation-related businesses, generating over $85 million in economic impact for the community. The airport is used for general aviation, military aviation, and a few airline flights. In addition to the airport, the region's access to major transportation routes, such as I-5, ensures its connectivity to major markets.

Klamath Falls' diverse range of industries provides a solid foundation for its economic growth. The region's resilience is further demonstrated by its ability to withstand tough economic times. With its strong community, skilled workforce, and competitive business environment, Klamath Falls is well-positioned for continued economic prosperity and growth.

Frequently asked questions