Merced's Airport: Does It Exist?

is there an airport in merced

Merced Regional Airport (MCE) is located two miles southwest of Merced, California. The airport covers 766 acres of land and is at an elevation of 155 feet. In the year ending November 21, 2019, the airport recorded 58,650 aircraft operations, averaging 161 per day. The airport has been used for the filming of television shows, including an episode of Mannix in 1973.

Characteristics Values
Name Merced Regional Airport (MacReady Field)
IATA MCE
ICAO KMCE
FAA LID MCE
Location 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Merced, California
Area Covered 766 acres (310 ha)
Elevation 155 feet (47 m)
Runway 12/30: 5,914 by 150 feet (1,803 x 46 m), Asphalt; ILS/DME; PAPI (RWY30); VASI (RWY12)
Airlines Advanced Air, Air Pacific, American Eagle, Golden Gate Airlines, United Airlines, United Express, US Airways Express, Inland Empire Airlines, Great Lakes Airlines
Annual Aircraft Operations 58,650 (average 161 per day)
Aircraft Breakdown 93% general aviation, 6% airline, <1% military
Aircraft Based 39 (95% single-engine, 5% multi-engine)
Terminal Size Current: 5,000 sq. ft.; New: 11,000 sq. ft.
Terminal Cost $17 million
Annual Events Merced West Coast Antique Fly-In (until 2007)

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Merced Regional Airport's location and elevation

Merced Regional Airport, also known as Merced Yosemite Regional Airport (MacReady Field), is located two miles (3.2 km) southwest of Merced, in Merced County, California. The airport covers 766 acres of land (310 ha) at an elevation of 155 feet (47 m).

The airport is situated near Childs Avenue in Merced and is accessible via U.S. Route 99 and California State Route 59. The site was originally an airstrip and 66 acres (0.27 km2) of land, but it has since expanded multiple times, with additional land acquisitions in 1955 and the 1970s, allowing for runway extensions and the construction of a control tower.

In terms of elevation, the airport sits at a relatively low altitude of 155 feet (47 m). This elevation is suitable for aircraft operations, as evidenced by the airport's history of hosting various commercial and military flights. The airport has one runway: 12/30, which measures 5,914 feet (1,803 m) in length and 150 feet (46 m) in width.

Merced Regional Airport has a long history, dating back to the 1930s when it was first established. It has served various purposes over the years, including hosting antique aircraft fly-ins, providing medical services through air ambulance partnerships, and offering commercial and military flights. The airport continues to operate as a commercial service airport, providing essential connections to nearby destinations and playing a vital role in the region's transportation network.

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Airlines that serve the airport

Merced Regional Airport, also known as Merced Yosemite Regional Airport (MacReady Field), is located two miles (3.2 km) southwest of Merced, California. The airport covers 766 acres (310 ha) of land and has one runway.

In the year ending November 21, 2019, the Merced Regional Airport had 58,650 aircraft operations, averaging 161 per day. Of these, 93% were general aviation, 6% were airline operations, and less than 1% were military. The airport has been served by several airlines over the years, including:

  • Advanced Air
  • Air Pacific
  • American Eagle
  • Golden Gate Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • United Express
  • US Airways Express
  • Inland Empire Airlines
  • Great Lakes Airlines

Advanced Air currently provides commercial airline service to Harry Reid International Airport, and previously served Los Angeles International Airport until the city council voted to change the service to Hawthorne Municipal Airport in 2023. The airport has also been used for filming, including an appearance in the TV series Mannix in 1973.

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The airport's history

Merced Regional Airport, also known as Merced Yosemite Regional Airport (MacReady Field), is located two miles (3.2 km) southwest of Merced, California. The airport covers 766 acres of land at an elevation of 155 feet and has one runway.

The history of the airport dates back to 1932 when the Merced City Council accepted the site of the airport as a gift from the Twenty-Thirty Club and the Crocker-Huffman Company. The site included an airstrip and 66 acres of land located 3 miles northwest of the city. The airport was dedicated on April 3, 1932, and leased to George Voight for five years. A subsidiary of the Stinson Aircraft Company started Merced's first scheduled airline service.

In 1940, the United States Army sought to establish a basic pilot training facility in the Merced area, but the Merced Municipal Airport was deemed unsuitable due to a lack of space. The Army ultimately selected a site near Atwater for its Air Corps Basic Flying School. However, construction delays at that site forced the Army to temporarily lease the Merced Municipal Airport in 1941, and it became a storage facility for aircraft assigned to the Air Corps Basic Flying School.

Over the years, the airport has been served by various airlines, including Air Pacific, American Eagle, United Airlines, and Great Lakes Airlines. United Airlines operated direct flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco using Boeing 737-200s, the only scheduled passenger jets at the airport. The airport has also been utilised as a filming location, appearing in the 1973 television series Mannix.

From 1957 to 2007, the airport hosted the annual Merced West Coast Antique Fly-In, attracting pilots from across the western United States to display their antique aircraft. The event featured air shows and antique car shows. In 2021, the airport secured a contract with Advanced Air to provide commercial airline service to Harry Reid International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. In December 2023, construction began on a $17 million terminal replacement project, expanding the terminal to 11,000 square feet.

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Terminal expansion plans

Merced Regional Airport, also known as Merced Yosemite Regional Airport (MacReady Field), is located two miles (3.2 km) southwest of Merced, California. The airport covers 766 acres of land at an elevation of 155 feet and has one runway.

In December 2023, the airport broke ground on a $17 million terminal replacement project. The current terminal building spans 5,000 square feet, and the new terminal is planned to be 11,000 square feet, more than doubling the size of the existing structure. This expansion project reflects the airport's focus on enhancing its facilities and services.

The terminal expansion plans are likely to include larger check-in and departure areas, improved baggage handling systems, and additional passenger amenities such as more retail and dining options. The expanded terminal will be designed to accommodate a greater number of passengers, reduce congestion, and improve the overall travel experience. The project may also involve upgrading the airport's technology, including implementing self-service kiosks and enhancing security systems.

The $17 million investment in the new terminal demonstrates a commitment to transforming the airport into a modern and efficient transportation hub. The expanded terminal will offer increased operational capacity, enabling the airport to handle a higher volume of passengers and flights. This development aligns with the airport's goal of providing safe, reliable, and convenient air travel for its customers.

The terminal expansion project is a significant step forward in the airport's history, and it is expected to bring multiple benefits to the region. These include improved connectivity, enhanced economic development, and increased tourism potential. The larger and more modern terminal will be better equipped to handle a wider range of aircraft and will be able to cater to a more diverse range of passenger needs.

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Medical services based at the airport

Merced Regional Airport, also known as Merced Yosemite Regional Airport (MacReady Field), is located two miles (3.2 km) southwest of Merced, California. The airport covers 766 acres (310 ha) of land and has one runway.

Merced Regional Airport serves as the base for Riggs Air, an air ambulance service provided by Sierra Medical Services Alliance (SEMSA) in partnership with Air Methods. Riggs Air provides an essential service, shuttling patients between Mercy Medical Center Merced and nearby trauma centres. They also respond directly to medical emergencies, providing critical care and transport to those in need.

The air ambulance service is well-equipped to handle a range of medical situations, with a team of experienced medical professionals on board. The aircraft is designed to accommodate patients requiring advanced medical care, with specialised equipment to ensure their safety and comfort during transport.

In addition to emergency responses, Riggs Air also facilitates non-emergency medical transfers between hospitals or medical facilities. They coordinate with local hospitals, ensuring that patients who require specialised care can be efficiently transported to the appropriate centre, even if it is located a significant distance from Merced.

The presence of Riggs Air at Merced Regional Airport ensures that the local community has access to timely and potentially life-saving medical services. The air ambulance plays a crucial role in serving the region, particularly in time-sensitive situations where every minute counts, providing rapid transport to advanced medical facilities.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the Merced Yosemite Regional Airport (MacReady Field) is located two miles (3.2 km) southwest of Merced, in Merced County, California.

The IATA code for the airport is MCE, the ICAO code is KMCE, and the FAA LID code is also MCE.

Airlines that have served the airport include Advanced Air, Air Pacific, American Eagle, Golden Gate Airlines, United Airlines, United Express, US Airways Express, Inland Empire Airlines, and Great Lakes Airlines.

You can fly to Harry Reid International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport or Hawthorne Municipal Airport (since 2023) from Merced.

Popular attractions near the airport include Stephen Grey Park and Stephen Leonard Park.

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