New Life Flight hangar at Walla Walla airport will help crews get in the air faster

A new hangar for Life Flight aircraft and crew at the Walla Walla Regional Airport was completed recently and is now in full use, representatives of the Port of Walla Walla and Life Flight announced Monday, April 13.

Life Flight Network is a nonprofit air medical transport service that provides ICU-level transport for seriously ill or injured persons from the scene to an emergency or from one hospital to another with rotor-wing and fixed-wing aircraft.

Life Flight has already operated out of Walla Walla before this new hangar opened, but officials said the new hangar, now located closer to its aircraft, will help crews get in the air up to 15 minutes faster.

Life Flight CEO Ben Clayton said this helps health services in rural areas.

"Just because you live in a rural place doesn't mean you shouldn't have access to high-quality care," Clayton said. "That's something we take very, very seriously."

Life Flight nurse Kylie Vanarsdale said an extra 15 minutes can mean a lot in patient care and could be the difference between life and death.

"Things can change really quickly," Vanarsdale said.

Life Flight transports Walla Walla patients that need greater care to other nearby hospitals in areas such as the Tri-Cities, Spokane, Seattle and Portland.

The new hangar houses nurses, paramedics and pilots on-site during their shifts. It features sleep quarters for the crew.

Port of Walla Walla Executive Director Pat Reay said having Life Flight in the area is important to the region.

"This project represents an important investment in our airport and the health and safety of the region we serve," Reay said. "Life Flight plays a critical role in providing rapid access to emergency medical care over a large and often rural service area. Having a modern, purpose-built building like this ensures we can continue to serve (that mission) effectively."

The $2.6 million project was paid for by Port funds including loans and grants. Originally, the project was estimated to cost $2.4 million, and the Port received a $2 million loan and $200,000 in grant money to help pay for it, according to prior Union-Bulletin reporting.

In October of 2024, the Port approved an additional $200,000 after the cost increased due to delays and additional building requirements because of new state codes.

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