Vashon Island Airport: Does It Exist?

Vashon Island, a nature-first community, is accessible by ferry, plane, or boat. The island is served by the Vashon Municipal Airport, a public airport with a grass runway and a helipad. The airport covers 20 acres of land and is located approximately two miles from the main town intersection. Commercial flights can be arranged by charter through Vashon Island Air for those without a private craft.

Vashon Municipal Airport

Vashon Island, surrounded by water, is accessible by ferry, plane, or boat. Vashon Municipal Airport is the public airport on Vashon Island, located on Cove Road, approximately two miles from the main town intersection. The airport covers 20 acres of land at an elevation of 316 feet (96 m) above sea level. It is one of the few public airports in Washington State with only a grass runway. The airport has one runway and one helipad, both with turf surfaces. The runway, 17/35, measures 2,001 by 60 feet (610 m x 18 m), while the helipad, H1, is 98 by 98 feet (30 m x 30 m).

For those travelling to Vashon Island, there are multiple transportation options. The Washington State Ferry (WSF) system offers four different routes to the island, with the Fauntleroy ferry dock being the most popular due to its proximity to the Seattle metro area. Alternatively, travellers can opt for a "foot ferry" and walk onto the island, using the local bus or ridesharing services from the dock to downtown Vashon. While cheaper than driving, this option means you will be without a car on Vashon.

In addition to the public Vashon Municipal Airport, there is also a private airport strip on Vashon Island. The closest international airports are SeaTac International Airport (BFI/KBFI) in Seattle, WA, just 15 miles away, and Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base (LKE/W55), located 19 miles from Vashon in Seattle. For those travelling by car, bus, or bicycle, there are professional drivers available to assist with transportation to and from the island.

Grass runway

Vashon Island in King County, Washington, United States, has two airports for personal crafts: one public and one private. The public airport, Vashon Municipal Airport, is located on Cove Road, approximately two miles from the main town intersection. It is one of the few public airports in Washington State with a grass runway.

The airport covers an area of 20 acres at an elevation of 316 feet above mean sea level. It has one runway and one helipad, both with grass or turf surfaces. The runway, 17/35, measures 2,001 by 60 feet, while the helipad, H1, is 98 by 98 feet. The airport features a sculpture commemorating a 1968 UFO sighting.

Vashon Municipal Airport is managed by an association of pilots known as Vashon Air Service, which leases the airport and maintains and operates it. The association, comprising 44 members, was formed over 40 years ago by five pilots who wanted a place to park their planes. Most members own hangars on sites they sublease from Vashon Air Service.

The airport had 2,000 aircraft operations in the year ending December 31, 2022, averaging 38 per week, all of which were general aviation. At that time, 28 single-engine aircraft were based at the airport. Commercial flights can be arranged by charter through Vashon Island Air.

Closest international airports

Vashon Island has two airports for personal crafts: a public one and a private one. The public airport, Vashon Municipal Airport, is located on Cove Road, approximately two miles from the main town intersection. It covers 20 acres of land at an elevation of 316 feet above mean sea level. It has one runway and one helipad, both with grass surfaces. Commercial flights can be arranged by charter through Vashon Island Air for those without a private craft.

The closest international airports are:

• SeaTac International Airport (BFI/KBFI) in Seattle, Washington, 15 miles from Vashon Island
• Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base (LKE/W55) in Seattle, Washington, 19 miles from Vashon Island
• William R. Fairchild International Airport (CLM/KCLM) in Port Angeles, Washington, 99 miles from Vashon Island

There are multiple ways to get to Vashon Island. The Washington State Ferry (WSF) system has four different routes to the island. The Fauntleroy ferry dock is the most popular entry point due to its proximity to the Seattle metropolitan area. The Southworth Ferry Dock is another option, especially for those coming from the West. From there, you can take a ferry to the Fauntleroy (West Seattle) ferry dock. It is worth noting that the Fauntleroy ferry is a passenger-only ferry, so you cannot drive your car onto it.

Other ways to get to Vashon Island include travelling by car, bus, bicycle, or ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft.

Getting to Vashon Island

Vashon Island is accessible by boat or plane. The island has two airports for personal crafts, one public and one private. The public airport, Vashon Municipal Airport, is located approximately two miles from the main town intersection. Commercial flights can be arranged by charter through Vashon Island Air. The closest international airports are SeaTac International Airport, Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base, and William R. Fairchild International Airport.

If you are travelling by plane, getting to Vashon Island from the airports is just a matter of arranging transportation such as a car, bus, bicycle, or ride-share.

The Washington State Ferry (WSF) system has four different routes to Vashon Island. Ferries depart from Fauntleroy, Pt Defiance, Southworth, and Tahlequah. The Fauntleroy ferry dock is the most popular entry point to the island due to its proximity to the Seattle metro area. The ferries from the South end of Vashon are smaller and less frequent than those from Seattle and Southworth. The ferry ride takes around 15-20 minutes.

You can also reach Vashon Island by bicycle. There is a passenger ferry from downtown Seattle to Vashon's North end that accommodates bicycles. Bicycles are also allowed on the larger car ferries but must be left on the deck.

King County Metro bus routes 118 and 119 run up and down Vashon Island. The bus ride from downtown Seattle to the Fauntleroy ferry terminal takes around 20 minutes, and the total commute is under an hour.

Vashon Air Service

Vashon Island, located in King County, Washington, United States, has two airports for personal crafts: one public and one private. The public airport, Vashon Municipal Airport, is unique in that it is one of the few public airports in Washington State with only a grass runway.

Vashon Municipal Airport is managed by Vashon Air Service, an association of pilots that was formed over 40 years ago. The association leases the airport from the commissioners who oversee the public facility, and in exchange, the association operates and maintains the airport, as well as pays for insurance and safety improvements. Vashon Air Service is currently headed by Bob Therkelsen, one of the original five pilots who formed the association. The association has grown to include 44 members, most of whom own hangars on sites they sublease from Vashon Air Service.

In 2016, Vashon Air Service faced some controversy when the commissioners voted to increase the amount they charged the association, from $2,300 to $23,000 per year, to meet new financial requirements. As a result, Vashon Air Service raised its sublease rates for hangar sites, which caused some tension among the members. However, according to Therkelsen, the new subleases were professionally drafted with the help of a lawyer and were compliant with state laws and the air service's own bylaws.

Vashon Municipal Airport covers an area of 20 acres at an elevation of 316 feet above mean sea level. It has one runway and one helipad, both with turf surfaces. The airport saw 2,000 aircraft operations in the year ending December 31, 2022, averaging 38 per week, all of which were general aviation. At that time, there were 28 aircraft based at the airport, all single-engine. The airport also contains a sculpture commemorating a 1968 UFO sighting.

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