Sacramento International Airport

Sacramento International Airport

Kristopher L. Plummer

ASCI 401 Airport Development and Operations

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

October 2017

        Abstract

Aviation is a critical part of both our national economy, but also our national infrastructure. It allows the movement of both cargo and people alike, throughout the domestic and the international markets, thus, driving and stimulating national and global economic growth. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the gateway, into the heart of Northern California. It easily allows tourist and businesses alike, the flexibility to access the Northern California heartland, the dynamic industry of the San Francisco and Oakland Bay area and the abundance of relaxation and pleasure that awaits in the surrounding area of Lake Tahoe and Reno. It serves as the principal hub of aviation within the San Joaquin Valley, connecting Northern California to major cities across the United States.

Sacramento International Airport

History

        SMF opened its doors on the 21st of October, 1967, as the Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, (Sacramento County, n.d.). SMF is nestled into the heart of Northern California illustrated on Figure 1. Currently SMF serves ten major carriers; in Terminal A (American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines), in Terminal B (Aeromexico, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon, JetBlue, Southwest, and Volaris), (Sacramento County, n.d.).

Figure 1. Airport Location

[pic 1]

Airport Location Map Source: (PB Aviation, 2004)

Early History: 1967 to 2000

        Before the opening of Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, all commercial traffic and cargo flights that were flying into and out of the region, was handled at Sacramento Executive Airport or the formerly Sacramento Municipal Airport, (Sacramento International Airport (SMF) History, Facts and Overview, n.d.). In 1957, a plan was proposed for the construction of a new airport. This airport would cover 6,000 acres of land, be owned/operated by Sacramento County, and be situated 12 miles to the north of downtown Sacramento (PB Aviation, 2004). However, several people who reviewed the plans, considered them to be too large and overly ambitious or even extravagant. One of the reasons the plan was considered too risky, was the poorly located site and size of the proposed airport. The proposed size was based on an estimate of passenger traffic which was expected to be around 750,000 passengers annually, (Sacramento County, n.d.). However, those initial estimates would be proven to be far more conservative, and in fact, were flat-out wrong, as the airport easily surpassed one million passengers in its first year alone, (Sacramento International Airport (SMF) History, Facts and Overview, n.d.). One other interesting point about the airport, is the fact that it was the first public use airport that was situated west of the Mississippi, was constructed from the ground up, (Sacramento County, n.d.).    

        During the 1980’s and 1990’s commercial aviation seemed to explode as the number of passengers utilizing air travel, put a severe strain on the system, both domestically and globally.  For SMF both the 80’s and 90’s were both seen as growth and construction. The construction was aimed at improving both airside and landside facilities. Some of the new developments included: the in-flight catering facility, an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Inspection Field Office, an additional cargo facility, and a parallel east runway. To celebrate its completion, the airport had a landing of a Concorde aircraft, (Sacramento County, n.d.).  Additionally, with continued passenger growth, the airport opened a new Terminal A, and upon its completion in 1996, the airport was launched as the airport we know today, Sacramento International Airport, (Sacramento International Airport (SMF) History, Facts and Overview, n.d.).

A New Millennium: 2000 to Present

        With the advent of increased computer technology and the arrival of the internet, in April of 1997, the Sacramento County Airport System launched its first website, (Sacramento County, n.d.). With the internet, comes the new millennium. The horrible events that occurred on September 11, 2001 were not just localized and felt on the eastern seaboard but were felt globally. For SMF, airport security procedures were immediately changed with the guidance of the newly-formed Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration. Despite both the horrific events and the changes to security protocols and operations, both passenger and cargo operations were not hindered, in fact, they continued to grow.

        With Mexicana looking to initiate scheduled international nonstop service, SMF had to complete an International Arrivals Building, for federal customs inspection services, before the planned first international arrival. With continued growth in passenger traffic, SMF in September of 2004 opened its six-story parking garage, which offered both covered parking and a short walk to either Terminal A or B. 2006 brought interesting changes to SMF. First, SMF became one of the first airports in the country to provide free wireless Internet or Wi-Fi. Additionally, SMF was designated as an official “port of entry,” (Sacramento County, n.d.).

        The last major change to improve both efficiency and future passenger growth, broke ground in 2008, as the largest capital improvement project in Sacramento County history. “The Big Build” as it was called cost over $1.03 billion and would be completed and ready for operations in October of 2011, (Sacramento County, n.d.). During the same time, the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression hit the entire United States. This had a direct impact on the number of reduced passengers and increased fuel and operating costs and would lead to the eventual removal and mergers of airlines that regularly serviced SMF.

        The next big phase that is coming to SMF is currently underway. The SMF Master Plan Update is looking at the future travel demands and requirements for SMF, to be successful all the way through 2035, (Leigh/Fisher, 2016). Some of these proposed updates include; runway extensions, terminal extensions and/or additional terminals, preparations for direct flights to Europe, parking, and interstate connectivity. Possibly the most important piece though is the expectation of almost double the number of passengers in 2035 compared to 2015.