Sacramento's Airport Accessibility: How Many Airports Serve The City?

Sacramento, California, is home to several airports, including Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento Executive Airport, Sacramento Mather Airport, and McClellan Airfield. Sacramento International Airport, located about 10 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento, is the primary airport serving the Sacramento metropolitan area. It covers 6,000 acres and has two parallel runways, offering both domestic and international flights to various destinations. The other airports in Sacramento, such as Sacramento Executive Airport and Sacramento Mather Airport, cater to general aviation, flight training, and airshows, providing a range of aviation services to meet the diverse needs of the region.

Sacramento International Airport

The airport is a gateway to various attractions in Northern and Central California, including Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, and Wine Country. It is also a transportation hub to California and the world, with 12 major carriers offering nonstop destinations across North America.

The airport has two terminals, Terminal A, with 13 gates, and Terminal B, with 19 gates, totaling 32 gates. All indoor public areas have free Wi-Fi provided by the Sacramento County Airport System. The airport is accessible via Airport Boulevard directly from Interstate 5 at exit 528, and public transportation options are available, including bus services and a future planned light rail link.

Sacramento Executive Airport

The airport has a rich history, originally opening in 1930 as the Sutterville Aerodrome. During World War II, the airport was taken over by the U.S. Army Air Corps, and after the war, it returned to civilian control and underwent various name changes. It was known as the Sacramento Municipal Airport until October 1967, when most airlines moved to the new Sacramento International Airport. The airport was then renamed the Sacramento Executive Airport, and the County of Sacramento became the operator.

The airport has two paved and lighted runways, with the main runway, Runway 2/20, measuring 5,503 feet by 150 feet. The airport provides various services for pilots and aircraft, including tie-downs, hangar rentals, and fuel options such as trucks and 24-hour self-serve credit card pumps. Additionally, the airport offers free short-term automobile parking in front of the terminal for up to 72 hours.

Sacramento Mather Airport

Sacramento, California, is served by several airports, one of which is Sacramento Mather Airport. This airport is a public facility located 11 miles east of Sacramento in Sacramento County, California, United States. It is situated on the former site of Mather Air Force Base, which closed in 1993, and has a long history, having first opened nearly 100 years ago.

In terms of operations, Sacramento Mather Airport is busy, recording 99,467 aircraft operations in the year ending December 31, 2018, averaging 272 movements per day. The airport caters to a range of aviation sectors, with general aviation accounting for 51% of movements, followed by air taxi at 13%, airline at 5%, and military at 32%. As of 2018, 52 aircraft were based at the airport, comprising 10 single-engine, 1 multi-engine, and 41 military aircraft.

McClellan Airfield

Sacramento, California, is served by several airports, one of which is McClellan Airfield (FAA: MCC). The airfield is located in the unincorporated area of McClellan Park, California, six miles (9.7 km; 5.2 nmi) northeast of Sacramento's central business district. It is a privately-owned, public-use airport that was once a military base, the McClellan Air Force Base, from 1939 to 2000.

The history of the airfield dates back to 1935 when the construction of the Pacific Air Depot began. The main structures, including administrative buildings, barracks, warehouses, and a hospital, were completed in April 1938. In December 1939, the base was named after Major Hezekiah McClellan, a pioneer in arctic aeronautical tests who died in a plane crash in 1936. The base played a significant role during World War II, arming and preparing planes for overseas shipment after the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1948, it was renamed the McClellan Air Force Base and continued to serve as a repair and overhaul facility throughout the Cold War.

The airfield has one concrete paved runway measuring 10,600 x 150 ft. (3,231 x 46 m) and four concrete helipads, each measuring 57 x 57 ft. (17 x 17 m). It caters to various aircraft, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, helicopter, and military planes. The airport is mainly used for general aviation, and its tenants include CAL FIRE, Calstar, Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento, Dassault Falcon, and the United States Forest Service, among others.

Rio Linda Airport

Sacramento, California, is home to several airports, including Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento Executive Airport, Sacramento Mather Airport, and McClellan Airfield. Rio Linda Airport (FAA LID: L36) is also located in Sacramento County, about one mile south of the city of Rio Linda.

The airport facilities include a fixed-base operator offering fuel and parking services, as well as a lounge, restrooms, and a weather briefing station. During that same 12-month period, 139 aircraft were based on the field, with the majority (136) being single-engine planes and the remaining three being multi-engine airplanes.

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