This California Airport's $1.4B Expansion Project Is Expected To Be Completed In 2028

Situated just outside this historic city in Northern California, Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the main transport hub for the upper portion of the Golden State and a gateway to some of its most exciting and impressive attractions. Whether it's the magnificent views of Yosemite National Park, the stunning ski slopes and outdoor adventures of Lake Tahoe, or the elegant Michelin-starred eateries and fabulous vineyards of wine country, travelers arriving at Sacramento Airport are spoiled for choice.

Originally opened in 1967, Sacramento International Airport is beginning to feel its age. It currently welcomes nearly 14 million passengers every year and has seen continuous, year-over-year growth for two years, making it one of the fastest-growing airports in the U.S. As a result, expansion and redevelopment of its facilities are essential. SMForward, a $1.4 billion expansion project, began in 2024 and is designed to take Sacramento Airport "to new levels of awesome." Several phases of SMForward are already nearing completion, and the majority of the project is expected to be completed in 2028.

In a 2024 announcement, Patrick Kennedy, Sacramento County Supervisor and Chair, said, "With passenger numbers on track to break records again this year, this project is essential to meeting the demands of today and tomorrow. By expanding our Airport's capacity and enhancing the passenger journey, Sacramento County's Department of Airports is ensuring our region remains a top choice for travelers and businesses alike." In the same release, Cindy Nichol, Director of Airports for Sacramento County, described the project as "the culmination of years of planning and creativity."

SMForward will be a comprehensive overhaul of the entire airport, adding new gates and expanding the existing terminals, as well as providing significantly more parking spaces and better pedestrian access. Not only that, but the initial five-year scope of the project is designed to fit into the airport's 20-year masterplan, providing a platform for further development and future-proofing.

One of the major highlights of the Sacramento Airport expansion project is the construction of a new pedestrian walkway connecting Terminal B and Concourse B, designed to be fully ADA-compliant and with the ability to connect passengers to a potential future Concourse C. A new parking garage will vastly increase capacity, adding an additional 5,500 parking spaces to the west of Terminal B. Both of these phases are expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Looking further into the future, a major expansion of Concourse B is scheduled to begin this year, which will add six to eight new gates by the end of 2028. A new baggage claim carousel is planned for Concourse A and a new exit road to improve the flow of traffic.

Airport officials feel that the record-breaking passenger numbers in 2025 are a demonstration of the project's worth and a validation of the plans, despite American Airlines' decision to suspend certain flights over the summer. As Cindy Nichol said, "Passenger demand at SMF continued to climb in 2025, reflecting both the region's growth and travelers' preference for Sacramento International Airport. These results show that strategic investment, strong airline partnerships, and a clear vision for the future are paying off."