Sacramento International Airport

Name

Sacramento International Airport

Legal name

Sacramento County Department of Airports

Website

https://sacramento.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Operations

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581), Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parking Access & Revenue Control (PARCS) & Payment Systems (BPABAKAD), Airport & Ground Operations Insurance (FSAJAHAF)

Keywords

• Airport operations
• Passenger aviation
• Cargo services
• General aviation
• Airport concessions

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Airline Landing and Operating Fees: Landing fees and airline operating fees charged to commercial carriers operating at Sacramento International Airport. Signatory and non-signatory airline fee schedules are published annually. Revenue supports airport operations and capital programs.
2. Terminal Concessions Revenue: Revenue from food, beverage, and retail concessions within terminals. The airport operates a concessions refresh program bringing 18 new dining concepts to Terminals A and B by mid-2026. Concessions program has received multiple ACI-NA awards for excellence.
3. Pre-Security Public Access Revenue: Revenue from public-access pre-security dining venues open to travelers and non-travelers. Local Flights Brews and Bites, a full bar and sit-down restaurant with grab-and-go and coffee shop, is open to the general public in Terminal B Level 3.
4. Cargo Operations (Mather Airport): Cargo facility and landing fees from cargo carriers including UPS at Mather Airport, which focuses on cargo aviation. UPS conducts regional cargo hauling with peak holiday season operations.
5. Real Estate Leasing: Revenue from leasing airport land and facilities to aviation tenants, including flight training academies (EVA Flight Training Academy), maintenance hangars, office/classroom buildings, and ground transportation providers.
6. Ground Transportation and Parking: Revenue from ground transportation operators, parking facilities, rental car operations, and associated facility fees at the airport.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is a county-operated passenger aviation hub serving the Sacramento region through nearly 150 daily flights to 38 nonstop destinations across 12 airline carriers, alongside a four-airport system that includes Mather Airport for cargo, Executive Airport for general aviation, and Franklin Field for flight training. The airport system generates revenue through airline landing and operating fees, terminal concessions (food, beverage, retail), parking and ground transportation, cargo facility fees, and real estate leasing to aviation tenants.

Product overview

Sacramento County Department of Airports operates a system of four airports: Sacramento International Airport (SMF) focused on passenger aviation, Mather Airport (MHR) focused on cargo operations, Executive Airport (SAC) focused on general aviation, and Franklin Field (F72) focused on general aviation training. SMF serves as the primary passenger hub offering nearly 150 daily flights to 38 nonstop destinations. The airport system also includes a $1.3 billion capital improvement program (SMForward), a comprehensive concessions modernization with 18 new dining concepts, the Local Flights Brews and Bites restaurant, and an Optimized Profile Descent program for noise reduction. The airports also provide environmental programs, noise management systems, wildlife hazard management, sustainability initiatives, and film/photography permits for commercial projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sacramento International Airport (SMF) Passenger Aviation Services Primary passenger aviation hub offering nearly 150 daily flights on twelve domestic and international carriers to 38 nonstop destinations, with two terminals (A and B), comprehensive passenger services, dining, and retail concessions serving over 10 million passengers annually.
• Mather Airport (MHR) Cargo Operations Cargo-focused airport providing facilities and capabilities to handle the largest cargo loads (including Boeing 747), with access to the entire Northern California market. Home to UPS regional cargo operations and EVA Flight Training Academy.
• Executive Airport (SAC) General Aviation Services Premier general aviation airport in the California Capital region, home to over 30 businesses, ideally located near numerous tourist destinations. Provides facilities and services for private and business aviation operators.
• Franklin Field (F72) Flight Training Airport Public use airport owned and operated by SCDA, handling approximately 36,000 operations per year including flight school activities. Serves the general aviation community exclusively without an air traffic control tower.
• SMF Concessions Program Comprehensive refresh program for dining and retail across Terminal A and B, including 18 new dining concepts, Sacramento-based restaurants, updated national brands, grab-and-go choices, new coffee offerings, and redesigned spaces. 47% of concessions are small businesses; multiple ACI-NA Richard A. Griesbach Excellence in Concessions awards.
• Local Flights Brews and Bites (Pre-Security Restaurant) Pre-security restaurant and cafe in Terminal B featuring full bar, sit-down dining, grab-and-go options, and separate coffee shop. Operated by Local Flights LLC (Edwin Balli and Andrea Ayala), owners of The Rio Pub. Menu crafted by Chef Adam Pechal featuring upscale comfort food and locally sourced ingredients. Open to the general public without a boarding pass.
• Film and Photography Permits Commercial filming and photography permits available at all four SCDA airports, including passenger terminals, ramp areas, and hangars. Permits required for all professional and student filming projects.
• Real Estate Leasing for Aviation Tenants Leasing of airport land and facilities to aviation tenants including flight training academies (EVA Flight Training Academy), maintenance hangars, office/classroom buildings, and ground transportation providers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10+ million passengers annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sacramento Valley ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociate Partner of the Sacramento County Department of Airports. The conservancy works on environmental and land preservation initiatives related to airport properties.
• Sacramento County Business Enterprise Resource Center (SacBERC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding Partner for SCDA. SacBERC supports small business development and connects businesses with airport opportunities.
• Aviation Commitment to Action on Climate ChangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCDA is a signatory to the Aviation Commitment to Action on Climate Change, coordinated through aviationbenefits.org. This positions SMF within a global network of airports addressing climate action commitments.
• Cosumnes Community Services District Fire DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCosumnes CSD Fire Department partnered with Sacramento County Airport Fire to conduct controlled wildland training fires at Franklin Field Airport. Firefighters trained under State Certified Fire Instructors from Cosumnes Fire Training Division.
• Sacramento Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSBDC played a critical role in connecting Local Flights LLC to the airport concession opportunity at SMF. SBDC provided guidance and support throughout the proposal and competitive selection process.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAA worked closely with SCDA and UPS to design, test, and implement the Optimized Profile Descent (OPD) procedure at Mather Airport. FAA provides ARTS radar data for ANOMS flight tracking system and approval for various operational programs.
• UPScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPS partnered with SCDA and FAA to develop the Optimized Profile Descent (OPD) procedure at Mather Airport. UPS adopted OPD as its default procedure for Mather arrivals, contributing to noise and emission reductions.
• California Department of Transportation (CalTrans)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe County of Sacramento is a member of a Unified Certification Program (UCP) administered by CalTrans, which makes DBE certification decisions on behalf of the County. SCDA accepts CalTrans certifications for DBE and ACDBE programs.
• Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA)coreOthersSCDA Director Cindy Nichol elected as ACI-NA Vice Chair (2025). SCDA is an active member; Nichol previously served as Chair of the Board Finance Committee. ACI-NA provides industry advocacy, policy development, and best practice sharing for North American airports.
• Mather Airport — EVA Air Flight Training AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEVA Air operates its U.S.-based flight training academy at Mather Airport, with ongoing expansion including a new dormitory (87 studios + 6 suites, expected completion end of 2026). EVA Air, headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, represents a major international investment in Sacramento's aviation infrastructure.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority: MWAA operates Reagan National and Dulles International as a multi-airport authority. The multi-airport system with distinct strategic focuses and self-funded enterprise model makes MWAA structurally comparable to SCDA's four-airport portfolio.
• San Francisco International Airport: Larger Bay Area hub airport operated as an enterprise department. Although significantly larger, SFO competes directly with Sacramento for Northern California passengers and provides a regional peer benchmark for service quality and concessions.

Direct peers

• San Jose International Airport: Operated by the City of San Jose as a medium-sized commercial airport serving Silicon Valley with similar passenger volumes. Directly comparable in scale, California capital-region focus, and enterprise-funded operations model.
• Tampa International Airport: Hillsborough County Aviation Authority operates TPA, a medium-hub airport with a multi-airport system and award-winning concessions program. Comparable in operational excellence recognition and capital program execution.
• San Diego International Airport: San Diego County Regional Airport Authority operates SAN, a medium-hub coastal California airport with comparable passenger levels and concessions programs. Both serve state capital-adjacent markets with strong leisure demand.
• Portland International Airport: Port of Portland operates PDX, a medium-hub state-capital airport with similar passenger volumes and state-government governance structure. Cindy Nichol, SCDA's Director, previously served at Port of Portland, indicating direct operational comparability.
• Oakland International Airport: Port of Oakland operates this medium-hub commercial airport in the San Francisco Bay Area, capturing overlapping Northern California passenger traffic. Comparable in service mix and competitive positioning to Sacramento.
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: City of Austin operates AUS, a fast-growing medium-hub airport serving a state capital with similar population growth dynamics. Both airports have pursued major capital programs and demonstrated record passenger growth.
• Indianapolis International Airport: Indianapolis Airport Authority operates IND, a Midwest medium-hub airport of similar scale with multiple ACI-NA concessions recognitions. Comparable in capital improvement execution and self-funded enterprise operations.
• Nashville International Airport: Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority operates BNA, a medium-hub airport with comparable passenger volumes and significant capital improvement programs. Both have focused on concessions modernization and operational excellence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FlySMF
• Facebookfacebook.com/SacIntlAirport
• Instagraminstagram.com/flysmf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sacramento-international-airport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Sacramento International Airport