Sacramento International (KSMF), California
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Sacramento International (KSMF) is the primary business aviation gateway for California's capital region, handling a mix of scheduled airline traffic and general aviation on twin parallel runways rated for large jet operations. The airfield sits at a modest 27 feet elevation and offers onsite CBP inspection services along with a USDA compliance agreement, giving international operators a functional customs option without a diversion to a downstream port of entry. Its two 8,600-foot concrete runways and Group III taxiway network support most business jets, though several taxiways and ramp spots carry wingspan and load restrictions worth checking before filing.
Runways
Sacramento International has two paved runways. The longest, 17L/35R, is 8,605 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Sacramento International has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Sacramento International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Sacramento International recorded 6,488 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in January, March and April. Business aviation traffic at KSMF is heaviest in the first quarter of the year, with January and March each posting over 600 operations before tapering through the fall and winter months.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month March, 607 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Sacramento International averages 23.2 days above 90°F in July and 8.7 freeze days in December. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 93.6°F, and January the coldest, at 55.0°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Sacramento International has published operating constraints in six categories: access, weight restrictions, noise procedures, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
The unpaved surface north of Taxiway P, east of Taxiway A, and south of the Cargo 1 ramp is closed to helicopters.
West ramp spots 63W, 65W, 66, and F1 are restricted to tow-in and tow-out only from Taxilane B2. When pushing back for departure from west ramp spots 63W, 65W, 66, and F1, each aircraft must push back onto Taxilane B2 and pull forward to the engine start line prior to starting engines. Airplane Design Group V aircraft parked on spot 66 must push onto Taxiway A after receiving approval from ATC.
Taxiway remark #2: the maximum allowable gross aircraft load for Taxiways G1 and G2 and the general aviation parking apron is 70,000 pounds for single gear aircraft, 170,000 pounds for dual gear aircraft, and 250,000 pounds for dual tandem gear aircraft.
Noise sensitive areas lie west of the airport along the Sacramento River. Local turns are discouraged for jet aircraft. When conducting an IFR approach in VFR conditions, execute the missed approach at the departure end of the runway. VFR traffic patterns should be planned to the east. Minimum power settings should be used.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 900/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 840/R/A/W/T
All aircraft must contact ATC ground control prior to any movement on the ramp.
Crop dusters operate in the vicinity of the airport at or below 200 feet AGL.
Taxiway remark #2 continued: an aircraft cannot exceed Airplane Design Group III criteria unless it has a wheel base of less than 60 feet.
Military aircraft parking is limited. Contact airport operations if parking is required.
The portion of Taxiway W from 500 feet east of Taxiway A to 2,100 feet east of Taxiway A is not visible from the tower.
Taxiway Y4 is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of less than 118 feet (Group III).
Aircraft must push back tail to the north from terminal gates A1, A3, and A5.
Taxiway B1 is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of less than 118 feet (Group III).
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Sacramento International has five airfields within 18 NM. The closest is Mc Clellan Airfield (KMCC), 9.07 NM east.
Part of the Sacramento area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KSMF
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.
$2,400.00 catering order at KSMF.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
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 customs options are available at KSMF?
Sacramento International (KSMF) provides onsite CBP inspection services, meaning international arrivals can clear customs directly at the airport rather than diverting to another port of entry. The airport also holds a USDA compliance agreement, which supports handling of agricultural cargo or aircraft subject to USDA inspection. This combination makes KSMF a practical option for international business aviation traffic into the Sacramento region. Operators should still confirm current CBP staffing and any advance notice requirements before planning an international arrival.
Are there wingspan restrictions on taxiways at Sacramento International?
Yes, Sacramento International (KSMF) restricts two taxiways based on aircraft wingspan. Taxiway Y4 and Taxiway B1 are both limited to aircraft with a wingspan of less than 118 feet, placing them in Airport Design Group III. Operators of larger business jets or transport-category aircraft need to confirm ground routing with ATC or airport operations before taxi, since these two taxiways are not available to Group IV or larger aircraft. Ground control coordination is required for all aircraft prior to ramp movement in any case.
What are the load limits on the general aviation apron and connecting taxiways at KSMF?
At Sacramento International (KSMF), Taxiways G1 and G2 and the general aviation parking apron carry defined gross weight limits: 70,000 pounds for single gear aircraft, 170,000 pounds for dual gear aircraft, and 250,000 pounds for dual tandem gear aircraft. Aircraft using these surfaces also cannot exceed Airplane Design Group III criteria, unless the aircraft has a wheel base under 60 feet. These limits matter for larger business jets and any aircraft planning to park or taxi through the general aviation apron area. Dispatchers should verify aircraft weight and gear configuration against these figures before routing through this area.
What runways are available at Sacramento International (KSMF)?
Sacramento International (KSMF) operates two parallel concrete runways, 17L/35R at 8,605 feet and 17R/35L at 8,598 feet, both 150 feet wide. Both runways are paved and sized to accommodate large business jets and transport-category aircraft without length limitations for most operations. The airport is towered, and all aircraft must contact ATC ground control before any ramp movement. This runway configuration, combined with the airport's flat 27-foot elevation, supports consistent operations across a wide range of aircraft types.
Does Sacramento International have any noise or pattern restrictions pilots should know about?
Sacramento International (KSMF) has designated noise sensitive areas west of the airport along the Sacramento River, and local turns over this area are discouraged for jet aircraft. Pilots conducting an IFR approach in VFR conditions are instructed to execute the missed approach at the departure end of the runway rather than continuing over the noise sensitive zone. VFR traffic patterns are planned to the east of the field, and minimum power settings are requested throughout. These procedures reflect the airport's proximity to residential areas along the river.