Palo Alto Airport (KPAO), California
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Palo Alto Airport (KPAO) is a towered, single-runway field on San Francisco Bay serving business aviation traffic in the South Bay area. Customs clearance is not offered on site; the nearest customs airport is Moffett Federal Airfield, roughly 4 nm away.
Runways
Palo Alto Airport has one paved runway, 13/31, 2,441 ft long and 70 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Palo Alto Airport has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 6am to 8pm, daily, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Palo Alto Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Moffett Federal Airfield (KNUQ), 4 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Palo Alto Airport recorded 3,055 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in November and December. Business aviation traffic at KPAO is concentrated in the November-December and July periods, based on 2025 FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month December, 339 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Palo Alto Airport averages 3.7 days above 90°F in September and 5.9 freeze days in December. September is the warmest month, with average highs of 79.6°F, and December the coldest, at 57.6°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Palo Alto Airport has published operating constraints in six categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, noise procedures, environmental and other notes.
On approach to Runway 31, pilots should be alert to possible strong updrafts from a wind tunnel located on the west side of Moffett Federal Airfield.
For clearance delivery when the control tower is closed, contact NorCal Approach.
The airport is restricted by the airport operator to aircraft with a maximum certified weight of 12,500 lbs or less.
Runway 13 has an 8 ft dike 300 ft from the runway end; the obstruction is lighted.
Runway 31 has a 5 ft dike 230 ft from the runway end; the obstruction is lighted.
Pilots should be alert for pedestrians crossing a dike road that is 8 ft high and located 300 ft from the Runway 13 end.
A noise sensitive area extends from the southeast through the northwest of the airport. Aircraft landing at Palo Alto Airport are recommended to fly at or above 1,500 ft until crossing the Bayshore Freeway, and aircraft departing Runway 31 are recommended to turn 10 degrees right after takeoff until reaching the Dumbarton auto bridge.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
Transmission towers extending 100 ft above ground level are located east of the airport.
Airport lights operate continuously when the control tower is closed.
Self-fueling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There is continuous pedestrian and vehicle activity on aircraft taxi lanes that are not designated as taxiway movement areas.
Airport security procedures are in effect.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Palo Alto Airport has five airfields within 16 NM. The closest is Moffett Federal Airfield (KNUQ), 4.14 NM southeast.
Part of the San Francisco Bay Area area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KPAO
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$600.00 catering order at KPAO.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
The $75 minimum applies below $862.50.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weight limit at KPAO?
Palo Alto Airport is restricted by the airport operator to aircraft with a maximum certified weight of 12,500 lbs or less. Dispatchers scheduling heavier business aircraft into KPAO should plan an alternate. This limit applies regardless of runway length available.
Is fuel available at Palo Alto Airport around the clock?
Self-fueling is available 24/7 at KPAO, alongside standard attendance hours of 0600-2000 daily. Both 100LL and Jet A are offered on field, giving flexibility outside the staffed schedule.
What obstacles affect approach and departure at KPAO?
Palo Alto Airport has dikes near both runway ends: an 8 ft dike 300 ft from the Runway 13 end and a 5 ft dike 230 ft from the Runway 31 end, both lighted. Pilots on approach to Runway 31 should also watch for possible strong updrafts from a wind tunnel located on the west side of nearby Moffett Federal Airfield.