Mather Airport – Rancho Cordova, California

Mather Airport (MHR) is a public-use airport located in Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County, California, approximately 15 miles east of downtown Sacramento. Operated by the Sacramento County Department of Airports, Mather serves as a vital general aviation and cargo hub in the greater Sacramento region. Originally constructed as Mather Air Force Base in 1918, the facility was converted to civilian use following the base's closure in 1993 and has since grown into a significant regional aviation asset.

The airport sits at an elevation of 98 feet above mean sea level and features two intersecting runways. Runway 4L/22R measures 11,301 feet in length, one of the longest commercial-grade runways in Northern California, a legacy of its military heritage that now supports heavy cargo aircraft and long-haul operations. Runway 4R/22L measures 4,949 feet and accommodates general aviation traffic. The facility covers approximately 5,700 acres, providing ample space for aircraft storage, maintenance facilities, and future development.

Mather Airport serves as a designated reliever airport for Sacramento International Airport (SMF), offloading general aviation traffic and cargo operations to ease congestion at the primary commercial gateway. The airport is home to numerous Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), including Mather Aviation, which provides fuel, hangar space, tie-down services, and pilot amenities. The facility accommodates a diverse mix of users, from private pilots operating single-engine piston aircraft to corporate jets and large turboprop freighters.

Cargo operations represent a significant portion of Mather's activity. The airport hosts several freight carriers that take advantage of its long runways and 24-hour operational capability. FedEx and other logistics providers utilize Mather as a regional distribution point, with aircraft ranging from Cessna Caravans to Boeing 727 freighters transiting through the facility. The airport's location along Highway 50 and its proximity to the Union Pacific intermodal yard in Rancho Cordova make it a strategic link in Northern California's supply chain.

The Mather Airport Business Park, developed on former base land surrounding the airfield, hosts aviation and non-aviation businesses that have transformed the area into a regional employment center. The park includes aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations, flight training academies, aerospace component manufacturers, and logistics firms. This mixed-use development model has enabled Sacramento County to generate economic activity from the former military installation while maintaining robust aviation operations.

Flight training is another cornerstone of Mather's mission. Several Part 141 and Part 61 flight schools operate at the airport, taking advantage of the uncongested airspace over the Sacramento Valley and the variety of airspace classes accessible within a short flight. Students training at Mather gain experience in Class D airspace operations, cross-country navigation across the Central Valley, and mountain flying preparation for Sierra Nevada crossings. The airport's control tower, operated by contract air traffic controllers, provides a structured learning environment for student pilots.

Mather Airport coordinates closely with neighboring airports including Livermore Municipal Airport to the west, Meadowlark Airport in Huntington Beach, and Oakland International Airport (OAK) to the southwest. This regional network allows pilots to plan routes across Northern California with reliable fuel and maintenance stops. Ground transportation to and from Mather is supported by services such as Direct Airport Shuttle, which connects the airport to Sacramento-area hotels, downtown, and transit hubs, complementing the airport's role as a multi-modal transportation node.

Sacramento County continues to invest in Mather's infrastructure through its Airport System Capital Improvement Program. Recent projects have included runway pavement rehabilitation, updated runway lighting and instrument approach systems, and expanded hangars to meet growing demand for based aircraft. With over 100,000 annual operations recorded in recent years, Mather Airport remains one of the busiest general aviation airports in California and a cornerstone of the Sacramento region's transportation and economic infrastructure.

Mather Airport Contact Information

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

Name Mather Airport
Address 3745 Whitehead Street, Rancho Cordova CA 95655 Map
Phone (916) 875-7077
Website
Hours

Map of Mather Airport

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Airports near Rancho Cordova

Frequently Asked Questions – Mather Airport (MHR), Rancho Cordova, CA

Mather Airport carries the FAA identifier MHR and ICAO code KMHR. It is located in Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County, California, at coordinates approximately 38°33′N 121°17′W, about 15 miles east of downtown Sacramento along the Highway 50 corridor. The airport sits at 98 feet MSL and is easily accessible from Folsom Boulevard and Sunrise Boulevard interchanges.

Mather Airport does not currently operate scheduled commercial passenger airline service. It functions as a public-use general aviation and cargo airport. Passengers seeking commercial flights to and from the Sacramento area should use Sacramento International Airport (SMF), located approximately 20 miles northwest of Mather. However, charter flight operators based at Mather can arrange on-demand passenger flights through FBOs such as Mather Aviation.

Mather Airport provides both 100LL (avgas) and Jet-A fuel available 24 hours a day. The primary FBO, Mather Aviation, offers self-serve and full-serve fueling, hangar rentals, tie-down spaces, pilot lounges, courtesy cars, and aircraft maintenance services. Pilots can reach Mather Aviation by calling ahead or using standard FBO directory apps. The airport also supports ramp space for transient aircraft and overnight parking for corporate and cargo operators.

Ground transportation at Mather Airport includes services from Direct Airport Shuttle, which provides scheduled and on-demand van service connecting the airport to Sacramento hotels, the Sacramento Amtrak station, downtown, and other regional destinations. Ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft also serve the airport address. Car rental companies do not maintain on-site counters at Mather, but off-airport rental locations in Rancho Cordova are accessible via shuttle. The airport's proximity to Highway 50 ensures fast access to the broader Sacramento freeway network.

Mather Airport originated as Mather Field in 1918, established as a U.S. Army Air Corps training base during World War I. The base played a significant role in pilot training throughout World War II and the Cold War, operating as Mather Air Force Base until its closure in 1993 under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. Sacramento County assumed ownership of the airfield and surrounding property, converting it to civilian use. The long 11,301-foot runway — built to accommodate jet trainers and bombers — remains one of the most valuable inherited assets, enabling Mather to attract heavy cargo aircraft that cannot use shorter regional airstrips.

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