Mather Airport (MHR) — Sacramento County, California

Mather Airport, designated by the FAA with the identifier MHR and assigned the unique facility ID 27602, is a public-use general aviation airport located in Mather, an unincorporated community in Sacramento County, California. Situated approximately 13 miles east of downtown Sacramento, Mather occupies the former grounds of Mather Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation that was closed in 1993 under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. Since its conversion to civilian use, the airport has grown into a regionally significant cargo and general aviation facility serving the greater Sacramento metropolitan area.

The airport sits at an elevation of 98 feet above mean sea level and encompasses a land area of approximately 2,600 acres — a footprint inherited from its military past. Mather features two active runways: Runway 04L/22R, measuring 11,300 feet in length, and Runway 04R/22L at 8,000 feet. These long runway configurations make Mather particularly well-suited for heavy cargo aircraft and military training operations, setting it apart from many regional general aviation airports in Northern California.

Mather Airport is owned and operated by Sacramento County, which has invested in developing the former base into a multi-use aviation and business campus known as Mather Field Business Park. The airport supports a diverse mix of tenants and aviation activities, including air cargo operations, firefighting aviation support (particularly during California's wildfire seasons), law enforcement aviation, corporate aircraft, and fixed-base operators (FBOs) offering fuel, maintenance, and hangar services.

One of Mather's most distinctive roles is serving as a critical aerial firefighting base. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the U.S. Forest Service have historically utilized Mather as a staging area for large air tankers and other firefighting aircraft during high-fire-danger periods. The airport's expansive ramp space and long runways accommodate the DC-10 and 747 air tankers operated by contractors under federal and state firefighting contracts.

Allegiant Air previously operated scheduled commercial passenger service from Mather Airport, branding it as Sacramento Mather Airport for a period in the 2000s, offering affordable leisure flights to destinations including Las Vegas and Los Angeles. While that scheduled service has since ended, the airport continues to be evaluated periodically for potential commercial service reactivation given Sacramento County's ongoing population and economic growth.

For general aviation pilots, Mather Airport offers instrument approaches including ILS/LOC approaches to Runway 22R, supporting operations in low-visibility conditions. The airport is served by Mather Jet Center, an FBO providing fuel (both 100LL avgas and Jet-A), aircraft parking, pilot lounges, and ground handling services. The on-site amenities, combined with Mather's uncongested airspace compared to nearby Sacramento International Airport (SMF), make it a preferred destination for business and charter aviation in the region.

Mather is geographically well-positioned relative to other Northern California airports. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) lies approximately 60 miles to the southwest across the Central Valley. Meadowlark Airport, a private facility, is located in the greater Sacramento area. To the west, Oakland International Airport (OAK) — served by Clean Energy fueling infrastructure and Oakland Airport Security operations — sits roughly 80 miles away, offering a contrast as a major commercial hub. Direct Airport Shuttle and other ground transportation services connect Mather to Sacramento-area destinations for crew and passenger transfers.

The Mather community surrounding the airport has transitioned from a military housing enclave to a planned residential and commercial neighborhood, with thousands of homes developed on former base land since the mid-1990s. The airport remains a significant employer and economic driver for eastern Sacramento County, supporting aviation businesses, logistics operations, and government aviation contracts that collectively sustain hundreds of jobs in the region.

Mather Airport - MHR Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Mather, California.

Name Mather Airport - MHR
Address 10510 Superfortress Avenue, Mather CA 95655 Map
Phone (916) 875-7077
Website
Hours

Map of Mather Airport - MHR


Airports near Mather

Frequently Asked Questions — Mather Airport (MHR), Mather, California

Mather Airport carries the FAA identifier MHR and is assigned facility ID 27602. It is located in Mather, an unincorporated area of Sacramento County, California, approximately 13 miles east of downtown Sacramento. The airport is owned by Sacramento County and was converted from the former Mather Air Force Base following its 1993 BRAC closure.

Mather Airport does not currently offer scheduled commercial passenger airline service. Allegiant Air operated flights from Mather in the 2000s under the name Sacramento Mather Airport, but that service has been discontinued. The airport primarily serves general aviation, air cargo, firefighting aviation, and military and government flight operations. Travelers seeking commercial flights in the Sacramento area typically use Sacramento International Airport (SMF), located about 20 miles to the northwest.

Mather Airport features two runways suitable for a wide range of aircraft. Runway 04L/22R measures 11,300 feet in length, making it capable of handling the largest commercial and cargo aircraft, including 747 and DC-10 air tankers used in wildfire suppression operations. Runway 04R/22L provides 8,000 feet of runway length, suitable for turbine and large piston aircraft. Both runways are equipped with instrument approach procedures, including ILS/LOC approaches to support operations in reduced visibility conditions.

Mather Jet Center serves as the primary fixed-base operator (FBO) at Mather Airport, providing 100LL avgas and Jet-A fuel, aircraft parking and tie-downs, hangar rentals, pilot lounge access, and ground handling services. The facility is equipped to support both light general aviation aircraft and large corporate jets. For pilots transiting between Northern California airports such as Livermore Municipal (LVK) or positioning for the San Francisco Bay Area, Mather's uncongested ramp and competitive fuel pricing make it a practical stop.

Mather Airport plays a critical logistical role in California's aerial firefighting infrastructure. CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service have designated Mather as an air tanker base during high-fire-risk periods, leveraging its 11,300-foot primary runway to accommodate very large air tankers (VLATs) such as converted Boeing 747s and DC-10s. These aircraft require long runways for safe operations with heavy retardant loads. Mather's proximity to the Sierra Nevada foothills — where many significant California wildfires originate — makes it a strategically advantageous staging location for rapid deployment of firefighting aircraft across the northern and central Sierra region.

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