Airports in Jefferson County, Washington
Jefferson County, Washington sits at the heart of the Olympic Peninsula — a region defined by rugged mountains, dense rainforests, and a dramatic Pacific coastline. With a population of approximately 34,000, the county's aviation infrastructure centers on a single public-use general aviation airport that has served the Port Townsend community for over six decades. Whether you're arriving by private aircraft, planning a scenic flight above the Olympic range, or coordinating ground transportation to and from regional hubs, understanding Jefferson County's airport landscape is essential for pilots and travelers alike.
Jefferson County International Airport (0S9 / TWD)
The primary public-use airport serving Jefferson County is Jefferson County International Airport, operating under FAA Location Identifier 0S9 and IATA code TWD. Located at 195 Airport Road, Port Townsend, WA, the airport sits approximately 4 nautical miles (7 km) southwest of Port Townsend city center, positioned conveniently between State Routes 19 and 20, with airport access from Route 19.
The airport is owned and operated by the Port of Port Townsend, which has managed the facility since June 1959. Encompassing 320 acres, the airport functions exclusively as a general aviation facility — meaning it does not offer scheduled commercial airline service. Instead, it serves private pilots, charter operators, air taxis, and the growing community of sport aviation enthusiasts who are drawn to the Olympic Peninsula's spectacular flying terrain.
Runway and Facility Details
Jefferson County International Airport features a single asphalt runway designated 9/27, measuring 3,000 feet by 75 feet (914 m × 23 m). The field elevation is 110 feet above mean sea level (MSL), with a standard traffic pattern altitude of 1,000 feet MSL (approximately 890 feet AGL). Runway 09 operates with right-hand traffic.
Lighting and navigation aids are in place to support operations during low-visibility and nighttime conditions. The airport is equipped with:
- REIL (Runway End Identifier Lights) on runway 09
- PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) on both runway ends 09 and 27
- MIRL (Medium Intensity Runway Lights) along the full runway length
These systems are activated on pilot request during sunset-to-sunrise operating hours, giving general aviation pilots reliable instrument references during evening arrivals and early morning departures.
Annual Operations and Traffic
According to FAA data, Jefferson County International Airport recorded approximately 58,100 aircraft operations annually — averaging roughly 159 operations per day. The traffic breakdown reflects the airport's general aviation character:
- General aviation: 97%
- Air taxi: 3%
- Military: less than 1%
This volume places the airport firmly in the active tier of Washington State's general aviation network, supporting flight training, recreational flying, business travel, and backcountry access to the remote Olympic Peninsula communities.
On-Airport Services
Despite its relatively compact footprint, Jefferson County International Airport offers a well-rounded set of services for visiting and based pilots.
Fixed Base Operator (FBO): Port Townsend Aircraft Services, LLC serves as the airport's full-service FBO. They provide fuel, ground handling, and support services. Pilots should note that one-hour advance notice is required for fuel services. Contact: 360-385-3777.
Aircraft Maintenance: Tailspin Tommy's / Aurora Aircraft Maintenance offers comprehensive maintenance services on the field, including major and minor repairs, annual inspections, aircraft modifications, insurance claim work, and aircraft salvage. Contact: 360-912-7005 or 360-809-0483.
Dining: Spruce Goose Cafe is a popular pilot destination open seven days a week from 7 AM to 4 PM, serving both inside dining and take-out. Named with a nod to aviation history, the cafe is a welcoming stop for $100 hamburger flights from the greater Puget Sound region.
Regional Context and Connections
Jefferson County's geographic position on the Olympic Peninsula means that access to major commercial airports requires ferry crossings or extended overland travel. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the dominant regional hub, lies approximately 51 miles by air but roughly 101 miles by road — a drive that often takes over two hours due to the ferry leg across Puget Sound. This distance makes Jefferson County International Airport a genuinely practical alternative for private pilots who want direct access to Port Townsend and the surrounding county without navigating the congested Seattle metro area.
To the northwest, William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles (Clallam County) provides an alternative regional landing option approximately 42 miles away, while Sequim Valley Airport (W28) in neighboring Clallam County sits about 26 miles distant and benefits from the Olympic rain shadow with consistently good VFR conditions.
For residents and visitors throughout Jefferson County — from the Victorian seaport of Port Townsend to the remote communities along Hood Canal and the Quilcene Valley — the local airport represents a critical link in the region's transportation infrastructure, enabling faster access to medical facilities, business destinations, and recreational flying throughout the Pacific Northwest.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major Washington Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
There are 1 International Airport in Jefferson County, Washington. Jefferson County International Airport is one of the busiest international airports in the Jefferson County and in the state of Washington.
Jefferson County International Airport
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Jefferson County, Washington.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 0 Regional Airport in Jefferson County, Washington.
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 0 Municipal Airport in Jefferson County, Washington.
Local Airports
There are 5 Local Airport in Jefferson County, Washington.
Staceys Airport
Hadlock Airport
Sky Valley Airport - Wa68
Jefferson County Airport
Olympic Airport - Wa45
Frequently Asked Questions About Airports in Jefferson County, Washington
The primary airport serving Jefferson County is Jefferson County International Airport, located at 195 Airport Road in Port Townsend (FAA ID: 0S9, IATA: TWD). Operated by the Port of Port Townsend since 1959, the airport sits about 4 nautical miles southwest of downtown Port Townsend. It is a general aviation facility with no scheduled commercial airline service. The airport's single asphalt runway (9/27) is 3,000 feet long and handles approximately 58,100 operations per year, serving private pilots, air taxis, and recreational flyers accessing the Olympic Peninsula.
Yes. Port Townsend Aircraft Services, LLC is the on-airport FBO offering fuel and ground support — pilots should call ahead at 360-385-3777 with at least one hour's notice for fuel services. For maintenance, Tailspin Tommy's / Aurora Aircraft Maintenance operates on the field and handles annual inspections, major and minor repairs, aircraft modifications, and insurance claims work. Contact them at 360-912-7005. The on-airport Spruce Goose Cafe (open daily 7 AM–4 PM) is a favorite dining stop for visiting pilots, making Port Townsend a popular $100 hamburger destination from throughout the Puget Sound region.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is approximately 51 miles by air from Port Townsend, but the driving distance is roughly 101 miles and typically takes over two hours due to the ferry crossing across Puget Sound. Jefferson County residents needing commercial airline service must factor in this ferry transit when planning trips through SeaTac. For those who can fly general aviation, a direct flight from Jefferson County International Airport (0S9) to the Seattle metro area eliminates the ferry bottleneck entirely — one of the key practical advantages of maintaining a local general aviation airport on the Olympic Peninsula.
Two nearby airports in neighboring Clallam County serve the broader North Olympic Peninsula region. William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles is approximately 42 miles northwest of Jefferson County International Airport and offers a longer runway suitable for larger general aviation aircraft. Sequim Valley Airport (W28) is about 26 miles away and is well known among pilots for its favorable flying weather — sitting in the Olympic Mountain rain shadow, it receives only about 17 inches of rain per year and enjoys VFR conditions the vast majority of the year, contrasting with wetter conditions on the western slopes of the Olympics.
Jefferson County International Airport is owned and operated by the Port of Port Townsend, a public port district that has managed the facility since June 1959. The airport encompasses 320 acres and is classified as a public-use general aviation airport. The Port of Port Townsend views the airport as a critical piece of regional infrastructure, supporting economic development, emergency access, and transportation connectivity for Jefferson County's approximately 34,000 residents — particularly important given the county's peninsular geography and limited overland routes to the broader Puget Sound region.