Lois Larson
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) opened on October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. The airfield itself was called Sacramento Metropolitan Field, and the airport code SMF is derived from this original name. The airport is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento and is open 24 hours a day, with service from 12 major carriers. Despite its name, some people question whether SMF is truly an international airport, as it only serves a handful of destinations outside the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Sacramento International Airport |
| Location | 6900 Airport Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95837 |
| Date of opening | October 21, 1967 |
| Previous name | Sacramento Metropolitan Airport |
| Previous site | Sacramento Executive Airport |
| Previous name of airfield | Sacramento Metropolitan Field |
| Distance from downtown Sacramento | 12 miles |
| Number of carriers | 12 |
| Number of gates (future) | 50 |
| Number of terminals (future) | 2 or 3 |
| Solar array capacity | 7.9 MW |
| Solar array cost | $15 million |
| Expansion cost | $1.3 billion |
| Expansion name | SMForward |
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What You'll Learn
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF) opened in 1967 as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport
- SMF stands for Sacramento Metropolitan Field, referencing an old airport on Freeport Boulevard
- SMF has international flights to Canada and Mexico
- SMF has a $1.03 billion terminal modernisation project called The Big Build
- SMF has a systematic and structured approach to safety management
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) opened in 1967 as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) opened on October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. The airfield itself was called Sacramento Metropolitan Field, and the airport had one 8600-foot runway. The initial runway was on the west side of the airfield and is now named 17R/35L.
Prior to 1967, all commercial airline flights through the Sacramento region were handled at the current site of Sacramento Executive Airport, formerly known as Sacramento Municipal Airport. Sacramento Metropolitan Airport was the first purpose-built public-use airport west of the Mississippi.
The airport initially had five airlines: Pacific Air Lines, Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), United Airlines, Western Airlines, and West Coast Airlines. In the 1980s, SMF added an in-flight catering facility, an FAA Flight Inspection Field Office, a second air cargo facility, and the east runway. The east runway's opening was marked by the landing of a Concorde SST. During this time, several new airlines joined the original carriers at Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, including America West Airlines, Continental Airlines, and Northwest Airlines.
In 1998, the consolidated rental car facility and Terminal A opened, providing a single point of access for all rental car customers, which streamlined bus operations and improved air quality and customer service. In 2008, the Sacramento County Airport System began "The Big Build," a $1.03 billion terminal modernization project that replaced the aging Terminal B. The project was a response to rising passenger demand and the need to improve the airport's ability to attract new carriers and routes.
Today, Sacramento International Airport is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento and offers service from 12 major carriers. While the airport does have international flights, serving destinations in Canada and Mexico, some, like Walt, don't believe it should be classified as an international airport. Nonetheless, Sacramento International Airport continues to expand and improve, with a $1.3 billion expansion announced in 2023, solidifying its status as a significant gateway to Northern California and beyond.
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SMF stands for Sacramento Metropolitan Field, referencing an old airport on Freeport Boulevard
Sacramento International Airport, also known as SMF, opened on October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. The airfield itself was called Sacramento Metropolitan Field, and it referenced an old airport on Freeport Boulevard.
SMF is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento and is always open, with service available from 12 major carriers. It was the first purpose-built public-use airport west of the Mississippi when it opened in 1967. Initially, the airport had five airlines: Pacific Air Lines, Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), United Airlines, Western Airlines, and West Coast Airlines.
Over the years, SMF has undergone significant expansion and improvements. In the 1980s, the airport added an in-flight catering facility, an FAA Flight Inspection Field Office, a second air cargo facility, and the east runway, which was celebrated with the landing of a Concorde SST. During this time, several new airlines joined the original carriers, including America West Airlines, Continental Airlines, and Northwest Airlines.
In 1998, Terminal A and a consolidated rental car facility opened, providing a single point of access for all rental car customers, which helped to reduce congestion and improve air quality. More recently, in 2008, the Sacramento County Airport System initiated "The Big Build," a $1.03 billion terminal modernization project to replace the aging Terminal B and meet rising passenger demand.
SMF has also embraced sustainability initiatives, such as the commissioning of a solar array in 2018, which is expected to supply around 30% of the airport's electricity needs and result in significant cost savings. Additionally, SMF has continued to expand its international flight offerings, serving destinations in Canada and Mexico, which has sparked debates about the airport's classification as "international."
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SMF has international flights to Canada and Mexico
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located 10.5 miles (16.9 km) northwest of downtown Sacramento, California, United States. The airport serves as a gateway to various attractions in Northern and Central California, such as Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Old Sacramento State Historic Park, and the California State Capitol.
SMF has a bright future, with a $1.3 billion expansion plan announced in 2023, which will see the addition of new gates and potentially a new Terminal C. The airport currently has two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, with 32 gates between them.
SMF offers international flights to Canada and Mexico, with direct flights to Vancouver, Toronto, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and León/Guanajuato. Southwest Airlines also operates a weekly nonstop flight to San José del Cabo in Mexico. While there are no direct flights to the Caribbean, there are quick connection flights and nonstop flights to Hawaii.
The airport has a rich history, opening as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport on October 21, 1967. The airport's code, SMF, stands for Sacramento Metropolitan Field, referencing an old airport on Freeport Boulevard. Over the years, SMF has undergone significant expansion and improvements, including the addition of an east runway in 1987, celebrated by the landing of a Concorde SST.
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SMF has a $1.03 billion terminal modernisation project called The Big Build
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) has undergone several improvements and expansions over the years to enhance the airport experience for travellers and increase competitiveness as a destination. One notable project is the $1.03 billion terminal modernisation initiative known as "The Big Build."
In 2008, the Sacramento County Airport System embarked on "The Big Build," addressing the ageing Terminal B and the rising demand for improved passenger services. The project replaced the original Terminal B with a new facility three times its size, featuring an airside concourse and a landside terminal connected by an automated people mover. This modernisation project aimed to enhance the airport's ability to attract new carriers and routes, positioning SMF as a pivotal aviation hub in Northern California.
Following "The Big Build," SMF continued its trajectory of growth and transformation with the announcement of the SMForward project in 2024. SMForward represents a $1.3 billion expansion, the largest construction programme in the airport's history. It encompasses six ambitious projects, including a stunning $140 million pedestrian walkway connecting Terminal B to Concourse B, empowering passengers with flexible travel options.
The SMForward initiative also includes expansions to Terminal A and Concourse B, adding new gates, amenities, and a consolidated ground transportation centre. A new Terminal B parking garage is also in the works, addressing parking capacity concerns. This phase of expansion is expected to reshape the airport to accommodate projected passenger growth, creating world-class facilities that enhance the overall travel experience.
SMF's commitment to modernisation and expansion extends beyond physical infrastructure. In January 2018, the airport commissioned a solar array rated at 7.9 MW, supplying approximately 30% of its electricity needs. This sustainable initiative, built at a cost of $15 million, is expected to save the airport nearly $1 million annually.
Through projects like "The Big Build" and SMForward, Sacramento International Airport (SMF) has demonstrated its dedication to innovation, passenger comfort, and sustainability. These transformative initiatives solidify SMF's position as a dynamic aviation hub, shaping the future of travel in Northern California and beyond.
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SMF has a systematic and structured approach to safety management
Sacramento International Airport, also known as Sacramento Airport, is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento, California. The airport code SMF stands for Sacramento Metropolitan Field, a reference to an old airport on Freeport Boulevard. Sacramento Metropolitan Airport opened on October 21, 1967, and was the first purpose-built public-use airport west of the Mississippi.
SMF's systematic approach to safety management involves setting goals, planning, and measuring performance. It encompasses organizing, planning and implementation, evaluation, and action for improvement. Organizing involves defining the structure, responsibility, accountability, communication, documentation, training, and competency of the organization. Planning and implementation include identifying hazards, managing risks, and setting goals and objectives to drive performance and measure progress.
The evaluation phase involves measuring and assessing OSH performance, establishing processes for reporting and investigating accidents and incidents, and conducting internal and external audits to review and verify the system. Finally, action for improvement entails creating, managing, and closing out corrective and preventive actions, as well as ensuring a continual improvement process.
SMF's structured approach to safety management is in line with the recommended Occupational Safety Management System (OSMS) or Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS). An OSMS provides a systematic way to identify, monitor, and control hazards and risks while ensuring the effectiveness of risk controls. It is a comprehensive process for managing occupational safety risks and is integrated into the overall business management system of an organization.
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Frequently asked questions
SMF stands for Sacramento Metropolitan Field, a reference to an old airport on Freeport Boulevard.
Sacramento Airport is called SMF because the letters SMF stand for Sacramento Metropolitan Field, which was the name of the airfield when the airport opened in 1967.
Sacramento Airport is an international airport because it has international flights to Canada and Mexico.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) opened on October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. The airfield itself was called Sacramento Metropolitan Field and had one 8600-foot runway.
Sacramento Airport has a solar array that supplies around 30% of its electricity needs and is expected to save the airport nearly $1 million annually. The airport also has a bright future with expansion plans, including adding new gates and constructing a new terminal.
