Sacramento International Airport
Sacramento International Airport | |||||||||||||||
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| Airport type | public | ||||||||||||||
| Owner | County of Sacramento | ||||||||||||||
| Serves | Sacramento, California | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 27 ft / 8.2 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 38°41′44″N 121°35′27″W / 38.69556°N 121.59083°W | ||||||||||||||
| Website | http://www.sacramento.aero/smf/ | ||||||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||||||
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| Statistics (2010[1]) | |||||||||||||||
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Sacramento International Airport (IATA: SMF, ICAO: KSMF, FAA LID: SMF) is a public airport located 10 miles (16 km) northwest of the central business district (CBD) of Sacramento, in Sacramento County, California, USA. It is run by Sacramento County. Southwest Airlines currently accounts for about half of all airline passenger traffic.
History
Due to the vast housing growth around Sacramento Executive Airport, the City of Sacramento Planning Department and the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors commissioned a study to move large commercial air operations to a less populated area.
Sacramento International Airport opened October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. Prior to this date, all commercial airline flights through the Sacramento region were handled at the current site of Sacramento Executive Airport, then known as Sacramento Municipal Airport.
In 1957, the proposed construction of Sacramento Metropolitan Airport and purchase of nearly 6,000 acres north of downtown Sacramento was considered extravagant, risky, poorly located and based on unrealistic passenger expectations. The skeptics were wrong. The original estimate of 750,000 annual passengers soon proved to be a conservative one as the airport surpassed one million passengers during the first year of operation. Upon opening in 1967, Sacramento Metropolitan Airport was the first airport west of the Mississippi that had been built completely from the ground up for public use.
The airport was initially served by five airlines: Pacific Air Lines, PSA Airlines, United Airlines, Western, and West Coast.
The 1980s ushered in a new era of construction and growth. During this time, development efforts included: the in-flight catering facility (1980), an FAA Flight Inspection Field Office (1985), a second air cargo facility (1985), and the east runway (1987). On June 24, 1998, the east runway’s opening was celebrated by the landing of a Concorde. America West, Continental, Morris Air and American Eagle Airlines joined the original carriers at Sacramento Metropolitan Airport during this time.
In the 1990s, the consolidated rental car facility and Terminal A opened (1998), which was designed by Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects[2]. Meanwhile, passenger traffic continued to grow. With the opening of a new terminal building, it was renamed Sacramento International Airport, though it did not receive its first international flights until 2002 when Mexicana initiated nonstop service to Guadalajara. The airport was officially designated a port of entry on October 5, 2006.[3]
The consolidated rental car terminal, the first of its kind in the nation, gave all rental car customers a single point of access that could be reached via a single shuttle service. This innovation streamlined bus operations to reduce congestion at the terminal curbs and improve air quality while also enhancing overall customer service.
Over the years, advances in technology changed how the airport distributed information to its customers. The Sacramento County Airport System launched its first Web site in April 1997.
During this time, airline service also changed. Southwest (1991), Alaska (1993), Horizon (1993), and TWA (1994) were added to the list of carriers serving Sacramento. Southwest and Alaska Airlines experienced rapid growth, offsetting the departure or cessation of operations of airlines such as American Eagle, Continental, and USAir.
The new millennium ushered in even more changes, none more significant than those following September 11, 2001. Airport security procedures were forever changed by the tragic events of that day. The newly formed Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration were created and sweeping changes were implemented to improve aviation security.
Despite the immediate effects on air travel, September 11 did not deter growth at Sacramento International Airport. Four new airlines were soon added to Sacramento International: Continental returned (2000) and Frontier (2002), Mexicana (2002), Hawaiian (2002), and Aloha Airlines (2003) initiated service. Mexicana’s arrival initiated international nonstop service and necessitated completion of the International Arrivals Building for the federal inspection services prior to the first international arrival at Sacramento International Airport.
The Terminal A Parking Garage opened September 23, 2004 to rave reviews. The six-story structure enabled passengers to enjoy covered parking, a short walk to the terminal and public art (“Flying Gardens” by Dennis Oppenheim and “Flying Carpet” by Seyed Alavi).
In 2006, Sacramento International Airport became one of the first airports in the nation to offer free wireless Internet service (WiFi) to its customers.
As the nation’s economy was taking a hard hit in 2008, commercial aviation was challenged by reduced passenger numbers and increasing fuel and other operations costs. Express Jet, Aloha and Mexicana ceased operation within the span of two years. America West, Northwest and US Airways merged and United and Continental initiated their merger by the end of 2011. Despite these challenges, Alaska satisfied demand by adding nonstop service to Guadalajara, Mexico and Hawaii (Maui) while Aeromexico’s (2011) debut reestablished foreign-flag service with daily nonstop service to Guadalajara, Mexico.
Long dominated by Southwest and United (United Express), the intra-California market was joined in 2011 by American (American Eagle) and Delta (Delta Connection) which fly from Los Angeles International Airport.
Air Canada flew to this airport in 2007-8, but terminated it in 2008 due to the economic downturn.
The following represents airline market share based on total passenger volume during the 2010 calendar year.[1]
| Rank | Airline | Percent Market Share | Total Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southwest Airlines | 52.5% | 4,642,281 |
| 2 | United Airlines/United Express | 10.6% | 936,461 |
| 3 | Delta Air Lines/Delta Connection | 8.1% | 713,134 |
| 4 | Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air | 7.8% | 691,336 |
| 5 | US Airways/US Airways Express | 5.1% | 452,876 |
| 6 | American Airlines | 4.2% | 370,897 |
| 7 | Continental Airlines | 3.6% | 320,049 |
| 8 | Frontier Airlines | 3.1% | 274,474 |
| 9 | JetBlue | 2.4% | 215,158 |
| 10 | Hawaiian Airlines | 1.7% | 165,122 |
Facilities
Sacramento International Airport covers 6,000 acres[4] (22 km²) and has two runways:
- Runway 16L/34R: 8,601 x 150 ft. (2,622 x 46 m), Surface: Concrete
- Runway 16R/34L: 8,600 x 150 ft. (2,621 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt
All indoor public areas feature free public wi-fi (wireless Internet) provided by the Sacramento County Airport System.
Expansion project
On June 7, 2006, plans were announced to replace the aging Terminal B with a brand new terminal by the year 2012. In 2008, the Sacramento County Airport System broke ground on the largest capital improvement project in the history of the County of Sacramento: “The Big Build”. Designed by Corgan Associates, Inc. in association with Fentress Architects, the $1.03 billion terminal modernization project replaces the airport’s original, aging Terminal B to meet the rising demand for passenger services and improve the airport’s ability to attract new carriers and routes. Aeromexico, Alaska/Horizon, American, Frontier, Hawaiian, jetBlue and Southwest are located in the new terminal while Delta, United/Continental and US Airways operate out of Terminal A.
The Central Terminal B complex is three times the size of the original Terminal B with the two parts of the complex – airside and landside – connected by an automated people mover.
Airport officials held a press conference on July 15, 2011 at the California State Fair, announcing the terminal will open on October 6, 2011. This is many months ahead of schedule from the original projected opening in 2012.[5]
The new Central Terminal B became fully operational on October 6, 2011. Salvage and deconstruction of the International Arrivals Building and demolition of the original Terminal B is scheduled to begin soon after the opening of the new terminal. The process is anticipated to be completed by May 2012.
Public transportation
Yolobus bus #42 connects the airport to downtown Sacramento and the nearby communities of Woodland and Davis. Sacramento Regional Transit will provide a future light rail link to the airport, with revenue service on the Green Line projected to begin in 2017.[6]
Terminals, airlines, and destinations
The airport has two terminals.
| Airlines | Destinations | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Aeroméxico | Guadalajara | B |
| Alaska Airlines | Guadalajara, Kahului, Seattle/Tacoma | B |
| Alaska Airlines operated by Horizon Air | Boise, Palm Springs, Portland (OR) | B |
| American Airlines | Dallas/Fort Worth | B |
| American Eagle | Los Angeles | B |
| California Pacific Airlines | Carlsbad [begins October 15, 2012] [7] [8] | TBD |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City Seasonal: Detroit | A |
| Delta Connection operated by SkyWest Airlines | Los Angeles, Salt Lake City | A |
| Frontier Airlines | Denver | B |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Honolulu | B |
| JetBlue Airways | Long Beach, New York-JFK[9] | B |
| Southwest Airlines | Burbank, Chicago-Midway, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Ontario, Orange County, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Diego, Seattle/Tacoma | B |
| United Airlines | Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Houston-Intercontinental, Washington-Dulles | A |
| United Express operated by SkyWest Airlines | Arcata/Eureka, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco | A |
| US Airways | Phoenix Seasonal: Charlotte, Philadelphia | A |
Top destinations
| Rank | City | Passengers | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver, CO | 412,000 | Frontier, Southwest, United |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | 384,000 | American, Delta, Southwest, United |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | 373,000 | Southwest, US Airways |
| 4 | San Diego, CA | 314,000 | Southwest |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | 299,000 | Southwest |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | 292,000 | Alaska, Southwest |
| 7 | Portland, OR | 248,000 | Alaska, Southwest |
| 8 | Ontario, CA | 220,000 | Southwest |
| 9 | Burbank, CA | 209,000 | Southwest |
| 10 | Orange County, CA | 201,000 | Southwest |
Enplanement history
Passengers (All Carriers - Sacramento, CA: Sacramento International (Origin Airport)) for 2009 year
| MONTH | DOMESTIC | INTERNATIONAL | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 312,551 | 4,652 | 317,203 |
| 2 | 303,862 | 3,619 | 307,481 |
| 3 | 360,373 | 3,797 | 364,170 |
| 4 | 375,776 | 4,562 | 380,338 |
| 5 | 382,853 | 3,123 | 385,976 |
| 6 | 420,856 | 5,814 | 426,670 |
| 7 | 412,548 | 6,336 | 418,884 |
| 8 | 388,433 | 4,732 | 393,165 |
| 9 | 358,921 | 2,834 | 361,755 |
| 10 | 376,991 | 4,949 | 381,940 |
| 11 | 347,749 | 4,573 | 352,322 |
| 12 | 359,967 | 5,946 | 365,913 |
| Total | 4,400,880 | 54,937 | 4,455,817 |
Accidents and incidents
On the morning of September 25, 1978, a Boeing 727-200 operating flight PSA Flight 182 on the Sacramento-Los Angeles-San Diego Route collided in mid-air with a Cessna 172 while attempting to land at San Diego Airport. The two aircraft collided over San Diego's North Park, killing all 135 people on Flight 182 and the two people on the Cessna, along with 7 people on the ground.
On the afternoon of Thursday, August 26, 2010, JetBlue Airbus A320 Flight 262 arriving from Long Beach, CA blew four tires upon landing, creating a fire around the plane and causing passengers to evacuate. Out of the 87 passengers and five crew, 15 sustained injuries, although none of them were particularly serious. Five passengers were hospitalized, but none were killed. A JetBlue spokesman said that the flight reported an issue with the brakes.[11]
On April 1, 2011, Southwest Airlines Flight 812 from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Sacramento International Airport operated with a Boeing 737-300 aircraft registered N632SW, was forced to declare an emergency and divert to Yuma International Airport after a hole appeared in the top of the aircraft fuselage. The aircraft landed approximately 40 minutes after takeoff from Phoenix.[12]
At approximately 6:30 PM on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, Seattle-bound Southwest Airlines Flight 2287 aborted take-off due to two blown-out tires. Although the plane reportedly made a hard landing, all 130 passengers aboard survived.[13]
References
- ^ a b http://www.sacairports.org/int/about/finance/stats/2010/December%2010%20stats.pdf
- ^ Sacramento International Airport Terminal A - Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects
- ^ Turner, Melanie (October 6, 2006). "Sacramento International Named Official Port of Entry". Sacramento Business Journal.
- ^ http://www.sacairports.org/int/about/history.html
- ^ Turner, Melanie (July 15, 2011). "New Sacramento airport terminal to open in fall".
- ^ http://www.sacrt.com/documents/RT%20Fact%20Sheets/GL2Airport.pdf
- ^ http://www.flycpair.com/about/aboutDestinations.htm/
- ^ http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/business/Carlsbad-Airline-Palomar-Airport-Ted-Vallas-California-Pacific-Airlines-152036135.html/
- ^ http://www.jetblue.com/wherewejet/
- ^ http://www.transtats.bts.gov/airports.asp?pn=1&Airport=SMF&Airport_Name=Sacramento,%20CA:%20Sacramento%20International&carrier=FACTS
- ^ http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/26/2985341/jet-blue-blows-2-tires-landing.html
- ^ "Six foot hole opens in 737 during flight". AP / KING 5. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|Author=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ http://www.myfoxspokane.com/news/kcpq-seattlebound-southwest-flight-aborts-takeoff-in-sacramento-after-blowing-tires-20111227,0,1236537.story
External links
- FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective June 13, 2024
- Resources for this airport:
- AirNav airport information for KSMF
- ASN accident history for SMF
- FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
- NOAA/NWS weather observations: current, past three days
- SkyVector aeronautical chart for KSMF
- FAA current SMF delay information
- FAA Airport Form 5010 for SMF PDF
- Sacramento International Airport (official site)