Redding Municipal Airport (RDD) — Redding, California

Redding Municipal Airport (IATA: RDD, FAA: RDD) serves as the primary commercial and general aviation gateway for Shasta County and the greater Northern California region. Located approximately 3 miles southeast of downtown Redding, the airport sits at an elevation of 505 feet above sea level and covers more than 1,000 acres of developed airfield and terminal property along the floor of the Sacramento Valley.

The airport's single commercial terminal handles scheduled passenger service primarily through United Express, which operates regional jet and turboprop connections to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). These daily flights provide Redding-area travelers with connections to United's expansive domestic and international network, making RDD a practical starting point for trips throughout the country and abroad. The terminal features a single concourse with gate areas, ticketing counters, baggage claim carousels, and a small retail and food concession area.

Redding Municipal Airport covers two active runways: Runway 16/34, which extends 8,000 feet and can accommodate larger regional aircraft, and Runway 12/30 at 5,570 feet, used for general aviation and lighter traffic. The runway infrastructure supports a broad range of operations beyond commercial service, including charter flights, cargo operations, air ambulance services, and the substantial general aviation activity that characterizes much of the airport's daily volume.

The general aviation facilities at RDD are extensive. Multiple fixed-base operators (FBOs) on the field provide fuel, maintenance, hangar storage, and pilot services. Shasta Aero Service and other FBO tenants cater to private pilots, corporate flight departments, and transient aircraft operators who use Redding as a fuel stop or destination along California's north-south corridor. The airport's position along Interstate 5 and near the confluence of the Sacramento and Pit rivers makes it a logical refueling and layover point for cross-country flights.

Air ambulance and medical transport operations play a significant role at Redding Municipal Airport due to the region's geography. Shasta County and surrounding areas in the Trinity Alps, Cascade Range, and Northern Coast Ranges are served by helicopter and fixed-wing medical aircraft based at RDD, providing critical links to trauma centers and specialized hospitals in Sacramento and the Bay Area. The airport's altitude, long runway, and instrument approach capabilities support year-round medical operations even during the valley's occasional tule fog events in winter months.

The City of Redding operates the airport through its Airports Division, which also oversees Benton Airpark, a smaller general aviation facility on the west side of the city. The municipal operation ensures local government oversight of capital improvements, safety programs, noise abatement procedures, and tenant lease management. Recent infrastructure investments have addressed terminal modernization, airfield lighting upgrades, and pavement rehabilitation on the taxiway system.

Redding's location approximately 160 miles north of Sacramento and 230 miles north of San Francisco makes RDD a practical alternative for travelers in Shasta, Trinity, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties who would otherwise face long drives to major hubs. The airport also serves as a staging base for wildfire aerial operations during California's fire season, with air tankers, lead planes, and support aircraft regularly operating from RDD when fire activity is elevated in the surrounding national forests.

Ground transportation options from Redding Municipal Airport include rental car agencies operating on-site, taxi and rideshare pickup zones in front of the terminal, and connections to Redding's city bus network. The airport's proximity to downtown Redding, the Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and Shasta Lake recreational areas makes it a convenient entry point for visitors exploring far Northern California's outdoor and cultural attractions.

Redding Municipal Airport - RDD Contact Information

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

Name Redding Municipal Airport - RDD
Address 6751 Woodrum Circle, Redding CA 96002 Map
Phone (530) 224-4320
Website
Hours

Map of Redding Municipal Airport - RDD


Frequently Asked Questions — Redding Municipal Airport (RDD)

Redding Municipal Airport is currently served by United Express, which operates multiple daily flights connecting RDD to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). From SFO, passengers can connect to United Airlines flights across the United States and internationally. The regional service is typically operated by SkyWest Airlines using Embraer ERJ-175 regional jets. Seasonal schedules and frequency may vary, so travelers are encouraged to check United.com or contact the airport for the most current timetable information.

Redding Municipal Airport is located approximately 3 miles southeast of downtown Redding, making it one of the more conveniently situated regional airports in California relative to its city center. Ground transportation options include rental cars from national agencies with counters inside the terminal, taxi service available outside the arrivals exit, and rideshare pickups through apps such as Uber and Lyft in the designated zone. City bus routes connect the airport area to central Redding, and several local shuttle and car service operators offer prearranged transportation to destinations throughout Shasta County and neighboring communities in Tehama and Trinity counties.

Yes, general aviation is a core part of operations at RDD. The airport hosts fixed-base operators (FBOs) including Shasta Aero Service, which provides Avgas and Jet-A fueling, aircraft maintenance, hangar and tiedown storage, pilot lounge facilities, and courtesy cars for transient pilots. The 8,000-foot primary runway and full instrument approach capabilities make RDD suitable for turbine-powered business aircraft as well as piston GA traffic. Corporate flight departments, air charter operators, and private pilots regularly use the field as a destination and refueling stop along California's Interstate 5 corridor between Sacramento and the Oregon border.

Redding Municipal Airport serves as a critical aerial firefighting base during California's fire season, typically running from late spring through fall. The airport's long runways, ramp space, and Northern California location make it a primary staging area for air tankers, single-engine air tankers (SEATs), lead planes, and support aircraft coordinating fire suppression efforts across the Shasta-Trinity, Lassen, and Klamath national forests. During major fire events such as the 2018 Carr Fire, which burned into the Redding city limits, aerial operations from RDD are intensified with multiple agency aircraft working around the clock. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the U.S. Forest Service both utilize the airport as a tanker base.

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