Ukiah Regional Airport (UKI) — Aviation Gateway to Mendocino County
Ukiah Regional Airport (FAA/IATA identifier: UKI) serves as the primary aviation hub for Ukiah, California, and the broader Mendocino County region. Situated just 2 miles southeast of downtown Ukiah, this general aviation facility provides critical air access to a community of approximately 16,000 residents nestled in the scenic Ukiah Valley. As the county seat of Mendocino County, Ukiah anchors an agricultural and viticultural economy that spans thousands of acres of vineyards, pear orchards, and hop yards — industries that rely heavily on the airport for time-sensitive transport, executive charters, and rapid freight movements. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Ukiah, reflecting the municipality's long-standing commitment to maintaining viable air infrastructure for both commercial and general aviation users.
UKI sits at an elevation of 614 feet above mean sea level (MSL), offering favorable approach conditions across most of the year. The airport features two runways: the primary paved runway designated 15/33 stretches 4,415 feet of asphalt surface, accommodating a wide range of general aviation and light charter aircraft. A secondary turf runway, designated 16/34, measures 3,800 feet and supports lighter single-engine and vintage aircraft operations. Together, these runways give UKI operational versatility uncommon for airports serving communities of Ukiah's size. Instrument approaches and standard VFR traffic patterns serve pilots arriving from the Bay Area, Sacramento Valley, and coastal communities, making UKI a reliably accessible field even during periods of reduced visibility common in the valley during winter months.
General Aviation and Charter Services
Ukiah Regional Airport functions predominantly as a general aviation facility, accommodating privately owned piston and turboprop aircraft, corporate jets, and charter operators serving Mendocino County. Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services are available on the field, providing fueling — including both 100LL avgas and Jet-A — aircraft tie-downs, hangar storage, and pilot amenities including weather briefing resources and flight planning support. Charter operators use UKI to move executives, medical personnel, and time-sensitive cargo throughout Northern California, bridging the gap between Mendocino County and the major commercial aviation centers to the south. For business travelers, flying into UKI avoids the lengthy ground drives from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located approximately 115 miles to the south, or Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, roughly 55 miles to the south via US-101.
Medical Transport and Emergency Aviation
One of the most critical roles Ukiah Regional Airport plays in the regional community is supporting air medical services. Given Mendocino County's rugged, largely rural terrain and limited ground transport corridors, air evacuation from UKI to trauma centers and specialty hospitals in the Bay Area is often the fastest — and sometimes only — practical option for critically ill or injured patients. Medical helicopters and fixed-wing air ambulance operators use the airport as a staging and transit point, connecting patients to facilities such as those in the San Francisco Bay Area or Sacramento metropolitan region. The airport's consistent operability and FBO support make it a dependable link in Northern California's emergency medical transport network.
Agriculture, Wine, and Timber Industry Use
Mendocino County's economy rests on a foundation of agriculture, viticulture, and timber — and all three industries make active use of Ukiah Regional Airport. The Ukiah Valley and surrounding appellations, including Redwood Valley and Potter Valley, produce Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other varietals that attract buyers, winemakers, and hospitality guests who fly directly into UKI rather than driving from STS or SFO. Timber companies operating in the Mendocino National Forest region and along the coast use the airport for equipment transport and executive travel. Pear and hop growers, operating at the margins of agricultural viability given the region's relative isolation, also benefit from UKI's freight-capable infrastructure. The airport thus functions as an economic enabler across multiple sectors, compressing distances that would otherwise impose severe competitive disadvantages on Mendocino County businesses.
Location and Ground Access
Located 2 miles southeast of central Ukiah, the airport is easily accessible via South State Street and Airport Road, with ground transport options including rental vehicles, taxi services, and ride-share applications serving the Ukiah area. Travelers connecting from Ukiah onward to commercial airline networks typically drive south to Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa for regional jet service, or continue to San Francisco International (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK), approximately 120 miles to the south, for full domestic and international connectivity. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), located roughly 100 miles south in the East Bay, also serves as a general aviation alternative for pilots transiting between Mendocino County and the broader Bay Area. Ukiah Regional Airport's central location within the Ukiah Valley ensures that pilots approaching from the north along the US-101 corridor or from the east via the Clear Lake basin have straightforward navigational references for arrival.
Ukiah Regional Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Ukiah, Oregon.
| Name | Ukiah Regional Airport |
| Address | 1403 South State Street, Ukiah CA 95482 Map |
| Phone | (707) 272-5515 |
| Website | |
| Hours |