The Sacramento County Department of Airports, the entity that operates the Sacramento International Airport (SMF), has announced a $1.3 billion expansion project that will transform the airport to meet projected passenger growth over the next seven years.

Called SMForward, the expansion consists of six projects launching in 2024. To start is the construction of a $140 million pedestrian walkway, which will connect Terminal B to Concourse B. Additional projects include expansions to Terminal A and Concourse B, with new gates and amenities; a new Terminal B parking garage; and a consolidated ground transportation center that will bring taxi, rideshare, and off-site shuttle providers to one place that is walkable from both terminals. This major undertaking is expected to be completed in late 2027 following the completion of a new $400 million centralized rental car facility. 

SMForward is the largest construction project in the Airport’s history. It will be financed through a combination of federal and state grants, municipal bonds issued by the airport, and user fees. The endeavor also aims to create employment and economic opportunities for local businesses, spurring further development in the region. 

“Over the next five years, this transformation will create world-class facilities that will enhance our customer’s travel experience while improving crucial infrastructure to meet our growth,” said Cindy Nichol, Director of Sacramento County Department of Airports. “Our airfield has plenty of capacity, but our parking, concourses, and roadways have several choke points. SMForward will address these issues and create an airport ready to serve the modern passenger.”

The SMF expansion comes as air travel demand in the region continues to exceed expectations. SMF nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2022 following six consecutive years of year-over-year passenger growth through 2019. Now, passenger growth is averaging 4.3 percent annually through 2041.

“SMForward represents the continued implementation of SMF’s master plan, which the Sacramento County Board approved of Supervisors in February 2022,” said TJ Chen, Deputy Director of Airport Planning and Development. “The plan evaluated past and projected passenger growth along with infrastructure needs as a basis for developing a plan to accommodate that growth. In addition to roadways and gates, the master plan anticipates the additional facilities and airfield infrastructure needed to meet the growing demand for air travel.”