|
Modesto City-County Airport (MOD) was the nation's first municipally-owned airport, opening for general aviation
operation in 1918, relocating in 1929 to the current location. During World War II, Modesto Airport was used as a
military auxiliary airbase to train U.S. Air Corps pilots. The airport started with only a single runway; a second
runway was added in the 1950’s.
Originally, the airport was named Modesto Municipal Airport. On May 25, 1955 the City of Modesto partnered with
Stanislaus County to enable expansion of the Airport and the name was changed to Modesto City-County Airport. In
October 1974, Harry Sham Field was added to the name to honor the Airport Manager who served between 1949 and 1968.
Air carrier service was first offered to the community in 1946 when United Airlines opened its newly-constructed
terminal and began the Valley Queen service. Modesto has had continuous air service since then to Bay Area airports.
United flew either DC-3s or B-737s until 1978 when the airline industry was deregulated.
In the 1990’s, corporate and business aviation became the fastest-growing segment of activity for the Airport.
Corporate jets provide their owners with convenient point-to-point service. Taxes from over 200 aircraft based at
MOD bring the community over $1 million a year.
On October 12, 1991, the Modesto City Council and Stanislaus Board of Supervisors rededicated the remodeled
8,900 s.f. passenger terminal as R. C. Smith Terminal, in honor of the Airport Manager (1969-1989) who was
nationally-known for convincing the Federal Aviation Administration that small commercial service airports should
receive higher levels of funding and support.
For the scheduled United Express/SkyWest Airlines flights between Modesto and San Francisco call 1-800-241-6522
for current times, or www.united.com. SkyWest Airlines’
local number is (209) 526-3108.
|
