Stockton, CA – Today, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved $26,225,000 to fund transformative improvements at the Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) which will support revitalization of key facilities, increase capacity for commercial airline service and attain future economic development goals.

The funding will be used for the following infrastructure projects:

• $8 Million: Terminal Investments. Construct a new five gate, at-grade hold room designed to comfortably accommodate 400 peak hour passengers. Remodel parts of the existing baggage claim, Transportation Security Administration security area and ticket counter portions of the existing terminal. Add new baggage conveyors, provide space for rent-a-car counters and update restrooms.
• $7 Million: West Ramp Restoration/Redesign. Restore and redesign the west ramp to accommodate new hangar construction.
• $5.8 Million: New Hangars/Awnings. Construct new aircraft storage hangars (38 units), aircraft sunshade awnings (10 units). Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) awning, and replacement commercial hangar.
• $4.5 Million: Commercial Hangar Acquisition. Acquire an existing commercial hangar to update and repurpose portions, or all, of the building and its site.
• $600,000: Construct a Pilot Center and Self-Serve Fueling Facility.
• $325,000: Air Traffic Control Tower Study. Complete a siting study for a new FAA-operated/County-owned air traffic control tower.

“These improvements are much needed and a long time coming,” said SCK’s Airport Director, Richard Sokol. “SCK’s current air carrier terminal building is more than 60 years old. Over the years, some basic mechanical systems of the building have been repaired, but the layout and functionality of the building has gone essentially unchanged. In addition, aircraft size and passenger load has increased and the way airlines use airport facilities has substantially changed since the 1960s. The existing building must be updated to successfully meet the needs of air carriers who wish to grow the airline market at SCK.”

Sokol noted that the building was originally designed for airplanes seating 50 passengers, while today’s operators feature aircraft seating 138 passengers or more. He also said the existing passenger hold room was added in 2011, but its size cannot support concurrent operations of multiple aircraft used by today’s airlines. In addition, security rules and procedures did not exist in 1965 and the way outbound bags are processed has also changed dramatically.

“This funding is a huge step to help attract prospective airline carriers and cargo operators to our region and contribute to jobs, economic development, and overall quality of life,” said San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chair, Miguel Villapudua. “We foresee a time in the near future where we are transporting thousands of passengers each day on multiple airlines to destinations across the U.S. SCK already serves a market of over 1.2 million residents from San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties alone. The addition of an updated terminal with a competitive scheduled airline service would greatly enhance the economic vitality of the County and Central Valley.”

Upon the funding approval, the Board also authorized County staff to solicit qualifications for professional vendors for two progressive design-build construction projects, one for the airline terminal building and a second for the general aviation ramp and other structure improvements.

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