Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is your gateway to Northern California destinations and major cities across the U.S., and the world. Located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento and always open, service is available from 12 major carriers.

The Early Years

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 public use 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, PSA, United, Western, and West Coast.

The 1980'S

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). 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.

The 1990'S

In the 1990s, the consolidated rental car terminal and Terminal A opened (1998). Meanwhile, passenger traffic continued to grow. Sacramento Metropolitan received a new name – Sacramento International Airport. The consolidated rental car terminal, the first of its kind in the nation, enabled 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, USAir, and Continental Airlines.

The New Millenennium

he new millennium ushered in even more changes, none more significant than those following September 11, 2001. Airport security procedures were forever 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. While customs services were available at the airport, Sacramento was finally designated as a “port of entry” in 2006.

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.

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.” The $1.03 billion terminal modernization project replaced 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. 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.

Salvage and deconstruction of the International Arrivals Building and demolition of the original Terminal B is scheduled to begin after the new Central Terminal B opens on October 6, 2011. The process is anticipated to be completed by May 2012.

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 Mexico and Hawaii while Aeromexico’s (2011) debut reestablished foreign-flag service with nonstop service to Mexico.