Meadows Field Airport

What Meadows Field Airport does

Meadows Field Airport (IATA: BFL) is a publicly owned commercial service airport in Bakersfield, California, operated by the County of Kern Department of Airports. It is one of six airports in the county system and the primary commercial passenger gateway for the Bakersfield/Kern County catchment in California's Central Valley. The William M. Thomas Terminal houses 6 gates and serves approximately 35+ daily flights operated exclusively by United Airlines (SFO, DEN, and new LAX service from August 2026) and American Airlines (PHX, DFW), with nonstop destinations to Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, and Los Angeles. The airport markets a low-friction alternative to larger hubs, emphasizing short security lines, walkable parking, and a 1-hour pre-departure window. Landside operations include short-term ($13/day max) and long-term ($10/day) parking managed by Republic Parking, seven rental car brands, authorized Lyft and Uber pickup, a Blimpie concession, Omni Goods retail, and two Mamava lactation pods.

The underlying technology stack is assembled from third-party vendor integrations rather than proprietary development: real-time flight status is delivered through Aerocloud's embedded display, landing fee billing and collections were outsourced to Vector Airport Systems' PLANEPASS portal effective January 1, 2024, and the public website is built on WordPress with the Elementor Pro page builder. The airport also hosts general aviation operations through three FBOs (Atlantic Aviation, Bakersfield Jet Center, Epic Jet Center), charter operators (Golden State Air, Bakersfield Air Charter), and maintenance providers (Loyd's Aircraft Maintenance, MegaHertz Avionics, Bakersfield Aviation Services). Drone/UAS registration and guidance functions are emerging as an additional regulatory-administrative service line.

Revenue is generated through a diversified aeronautical and non-aeronautical model: aircraft landing fees based on FAA-certified Maximum Landing Weight and time of arrival, short-term and long-term parking, terminal advertising, food and retail concessions, rental car commissions across seven brands, and airport badging fees for AOA/SIDA credentialed personnel. The airport operates as a non-equity government entity with no private capital structure, no funding rounds, and no disclosed financials. Recent capital activity is limited to terminal road construction through July 10, 2026 and digital accessibility remediation under ADA Title II, WCAG 2.1, and Section 508.

Name

Meadows Field Airport

Legal name

County of Kern

Website

https://meadowsfield.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Meadows Field Airport is a County of Kern-owned commercial airport in Bakersfield, California, serving commercial passengers via United and American Airlines across five nonstop destinations, alongside general aviation, FBO, and parking/concession operations under a six-airport county system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Operations and Commercial Aviation Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Aviation Terminals & FBO Services (THABAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Aviation Ground Support & Trip Services (Dispatch, Permits, Handling) (THABAFAK)

Keywords

• Commercial airport services
• Passenger terminal operations
• General aviation services
• Airport parking facilities
• Landing fee management

Headquarters

HQ city

Bakersfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Parking Operations: Short-term and long-term parking services with daily rates. Short-term max $13/day, long-term $10/day, 0-15 minutes free.
2. Landing Fees: Aircraft operating fees assessed using time of arrival and FAA-certified MLW (Maximum Landing Weight). Billed monthly through Vector Airport Systems.
3. Terminal Advertising: Advertising opportunities within the terminal targeting travelers including influential decision makers and affluent demographics.
4. Concession Revenue: Revenue from food and retail concessions including Blimpie sandwich shop and Omni Goods retail store operating in the terminal.
5. Rental Car Commissions: Commission revenue from rental car companies with counters inside the terminal: Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty.
6. Airport Badging Fees: Fees for AOA (Air Operations Area) and SIDA (Security Identification Display Area) badges for airport workers, including replacement fees.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Meadows Field Airport (BFL) operates a public-use commercial passenger airport in Bakersfield, California, owned and managed by the County of Kern Department of Airports. Its core offering is the William M. Thomas Terminal with six gates handling flights on American Airlines and United Airlines to DFW, PHX, SFO, DEN, and (beginning August 11, 2026) LAX, complemented by short-term and long-term parking, terminal concessions, ground transportation coordination (rental cars, Lyft, Uber), general aviation FBO and charter operations, and aircraft landing fee billing. Revenue is generated from parking, landing fees, rental car commissions, concession commissions, terminal advertising, and airport badging fees.

Product overview

Meadows Field Airport (BFL) is a public airport in Bakersfield, California operated by Kern County. The airport offers a unified passenger experience centered on its William M. Thomas Terminal with 6 gates, providing commercial passenger flights via American Airlines and United Airlines to destinations including Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, and Los Angeles. Supporting services include short-term and long-term parking, ground transportation (rental cars and rideshare), food/retail amenities, accessibility services, and lost and found. The airport also serves General Aviation through charter, maintenance, and FBO operations, plus drone/UAS services. Business offerings include procurement, landing fee management, advertising, and employment opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Short-Term Parking Convenient parking near the terminal entrance intended for quick trips and passenger drop-off/pick-up. Rate is free for the first 0-15 minutes and up to a $13.00 per day maximum. Operated by Republic Parking; number +1 (661) 387-1355.
• Long-Term Parking Parking lot within easy walking distance of the terminal entrance for extended trips. Priced at $10.00 per day with around-the-clock security. Operated by Republic Parking.
• Landing Fee Billing and Collection (Vector PLANEPASS) Fees assessed on aircraft operators based on time of arrival and FAA-certified Maximum Landing Weight (MLW). Billed monthly via Vector Airport Systems; the PLANEPASS portal allows operators to view invoices, pay via credit card, update accounts, download W9s, and review billing history. Contact: [email protected] or +1 (888) 588-0028.
• Airport Badging Services Issuance of AOA (Air Operations Area) and SIDA (Security Identification Display Area) badges to airport personnel requiring access to secure operational areas. Includes badge renewal, lost badge reporting, vehicle decal management, and a lost/stolen/damaged badge replacement fee starting at $40 that escalates with each occurrence. Contact: [email protected] or +1 (661) 391-1825.
• General Aviation FBO and Charter Services General aviation infrastructure and partner-operated services at BFL, including aircraft line service, tiedowns, fuel (AvFuel, Jet A, 100 Low Lead), hangars, GPU, oil, and passenger/crew amenities delivered through three on-airport FBOs: Atlantic Aviation (Mon-Sun 4:30AM-9:00PM), Bakersfield Jet Center by Loyd's Aviation, and Epic Jet Center (Mon-Sun 6:00AM-9:00PM with after-hours callout). Charter flight services are provided by Golden State Air Charter (24/7) and Bakersfield Air Charter.
• Terminal Advertising Advertising opportunities inside the William M. Thomas Terminal targeting travelers including influential decision makers and affluent demographics. Sold as a standalone inventory to advertisers via the airport's advertising program.

Named customers13 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vector Airport SystemscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Effective January 1, 2024, Vector assumed billing and collection of landing fees on behalf of BFL. Operators access PLANEPASS self-service portal for payments and invoice management. Contact: [email protected] or +1 (888) 588-0028.
• United AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor airline partner operating nonstop flights from BFL to San Francisco (SFO) and Denver (DEN). New daily nonstop service to Los Angeles (LAX) begins August 11, 2026. Contact: +1 (800) 864-8331.
• American AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor airline partner operating nonstop flights from BFL to Phoenix (PHX) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). Contact: +1 (800) 433-7300.
• Avis Car RentalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRental car counter inside terminal building. Local: +1 (661) 392-4160. Reservations: +1 (800) 831-2847.
• Budget Rent a CarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRental car counter inside terminal building. Local: +1 (661) 399-2367. Reservations: +1 (800) 527-0700.
• Dollar Car RentalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRental car counter inside terminal building. Local/Reservations: +1 (661) 393-2044.
• Enterprise Rent a CarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRental car counter inside terminal building. Local: +1 (661) 558-1372. Reservations: +1 (855) 266-9289.
• HertzminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRental car counter inside terminal building. Reservations: +1 (800) 704-4473.
• National Car RentalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRental car counter inside terminal building. Reservations: +1 (844) 382-6875.
• Thrifty Car RentalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRental car counter inside terminal building.
• LyftminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized ridesharing company operating from BFL. Passengers collect bags before requesting ride at arrivals curb.
• UberminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized ridesharing company operating from BFL. Passengers collect bags before requesting ride at arrivals curb.
• Atlantic AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBO operator at BFL providing aircraft line service including tiedowns, fuel (AvFuel, Jet A and 100 Low Lead), oil, GPU, and hangars. Hours: Mon-Sun 4:30AM-9:00PM. Address: 1550 Skyway Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308. Phone: +1 (661) 391-4900.
• Bakersfield Jet Center by Loyd's AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBO operator and charter service provider offering aircraft line service, fuel, hangars, and crew/passenger amenities. Address: 1601 Skyway Drive Suite 100, Bakersfield, CA 93308. Phone: +1 (661) 393-1334.
• Epic Jet CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBO operator providing aircraft line service, fuel, and passenger amenities. Hours: Mon-Sun 6:00AM-9:00PM with after hours callout availability. Address: 1105 Douglas Street, Bakersfield, CA 93308. Phone: +1 (661) 399-7011.
• Golden State Air CharterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharter flight operator providing professional charter services 24/7. Local: +1 (661) 393-5300. Main: +1 (800) 516-2110. Address: 1550 Skyway Dr. Suite 201, Bakersfield, CA 93308.
• Bakersfield Air CharterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharter flight operator mentioned on general aviation page.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Aena S.M.E. World's largest airport operator by passenger volume, managing 46+ airports in Spain and internationally. Comparable as a large-scale, multi-airport operator providing context for scaled airport operating models.
• Fraport AG: Global airport operator and owner of Frankfurt Airport, with portfolio operations at multiple regional airports worldwide. Comparable as a scaled airport operator model, though much larger and more diversified than BFL.

Direct peers

• Long Beach Airport (LGB): Smaller Southern California regional airport with similar terminal size, short convenience-oriented value proposition, and limited-gate operating model. Direct functional analog to BFL's structure.
• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR): Convenience-positioned Southern California regional airport competing on short TSA lines, on-site parking, and ease of access. Closest analog to BFL's convenience-based competitive positioning.
• Palm Springs International Airport (PSP): Regional California airport with comparable passenger volume, a hub-and-spoke route structure, and similar limited-gate infrastructure. Comparable in both scale and the seasonality of demand.
• Santa Barbara Airport (SBA): California regional airport with comparable scale, government ownership, and a similar mix of leisure and business O&D demand. Operates with a similar small-terminal, multi-destination model.
• Ontario International Airport (ONT): Regional California airport with multi-carrier service and a similar mix of business and leisure O&D demand. Comparable in operating profile to BFL though larger; competes with BFL for some Inland Empire / Central Valley catchment.
• Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT): Regional commercial airport in California's Central Valley serving Fresno with similar scale, route structure (multiple hub nonstop destinations), and government-ownership model. Most directly comparable peer in size, market, and catchment economics.

Emerging players

• Signature Flight Support: Global FBO network and competitor to Atlantic Aviation in the broader general aviation services market. Comparable as an FBO ecosystem peer relevant to BFL's GA business mix.

Others

• Atlantic Aviation (FBO): Largest US FBO network and direct tenant at BFL. Comparable as a general aviation services peer and as a partner whose performance affects BFL's general aviation revenue and pilot experience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FlyMeadowsField
• Facebookfacebook.com/meadowsfieldairport
• Instagraminstagram.com/meadowsfieldairport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kern-county-airports-dept

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Meadows Field Airport