Salinas Municipal Airport

Salinas Municipal Airport Master Plan Public Meeting

Salinas Municipal Airport has become a leading destination for business aviation on the California Central Coast. Conveniently located 5 minutes from downtown Salinas, 25 minutes from the Monterey Bay area, and 45 minutes from Silicon Valley, many visitors choose Salinas because of ease of access, and bottom-line savings. Our roots have grown deep and wide, allowing us to effectively serve general aviation as our primary customer base.

With complete landing and navigation systems for all-weather conditions, restaurant and catering amenities, conference and business meeting facilities, airframe, power plant and refinishing services, the Salinas Municipal Airport is a first-class destination that is handling the rapidly growing business aviation demands of our region. Salinas has uncongested airspace, complete local political support, no noise mitigation problems, and room for expansion.

Easily handling our 80,000 annual flight operations, this tower-controlled field provides immediate entry into the Silicon Valley, San Francisco Bay area, Monterey Bay, Carmel Valley, Pebble Beach, Big Sur, and the Salinas Valley. Welcome to the beautiful California Central Coast, a place we call home.

Drone Operations

Did you just buy a new drone or already have a drone, but don't know what the proper procedures are for operating it because you live near the airport?

Well, operating your drone is a simple procedure, depending on the drone's mission. First, I would take care to make sure that your drone is registered on the website of the Federal Administration of Aviacion (FAA) in FAA DroneZone. If you want to use your drone for business opportunities or some kind of compensation, then the operator would need a Remote Pilot License from the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), "Part 107 License". If you wish to fly your drone for recreational use (see the FAA website for the definition of recreational use), then you do not need to have a 'Part 107 License'.

Now to fly your drone, the FAA must grant you authorization through the LAANC system or the FAA DroneZone website and fly with some restrictions as there may be aircraft in the area. As Salinas Municipal Airport is a Class 'D' classified airport and the Air Traffic Control Tower grants authorizations from the ground surface up to 2499 feet of medium sea level (MSL). The operator is required to have a two-way radio communication device that is able to monitor nearby traffic and communicate with the Air Traffic/Traffic Control Tower. If you need additional information, at the citios below you will have more information about flying drones or you can contact the Airport Administration Office for further assistance.

FAA DroneZone
FAA LAANC
FAA UAS Information

Salinas Municipal Airport Master Plan

The Salinas Municipal Airport is in the process of updating its master plan, a document that guides the development of an airport to keep up with the aviation demand within a 20 year period. Throughout the master plan process, the airport will be publishing documents and other information at this link here "SNS Airport Master Plan Public Documents".

Airport Master Plan Video Update - August 2022
Airport Public Recap #2
Chapter 1 - Inventory
Chapter 2 - Regional Context
Chapter 3 - Forecast

Salinas Municipal Airport Economic Impact Study

March 25, 2021

The airport is a vital contributor to the local and regional economy and contributes to the growth of employment and economic production in and around the city of Salinas. Salinas Municipal Airport is not only a source of transportation services for individuals and businesses, but serves as an employment center for hundreds of workers and encourages economic growth.

Salinas Municipal Airport not only has an economic impact within and around the city, but has a social impact and offers unique benefits from being an airport. The Salinas Municipal Airport Economic Benefits Analysis Report describes...

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