Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport report to Board of Supervisors shows continued growth in passengers, revenue

Passenger traffic at Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport was up 4 percent from 2022 to 2023 and is up 15 percent so far this year, according to data shared with the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. Overall, there were 82,710 commercial and general flights in and out of the airport in 2023 and 641,178 total airline passengers.

The information from the airport and Department of Public Infrastructure was part of an annual Board update summarizing airline activity, noise concerns, community outreach, capital projects, maintenance activities and grant-funded projects. The Board also approved the addition of two Airport Operations Specialist positions for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.

“The Board of Supervisors takes seriously the transparency of airport operations and its potential impact on citizens living in and around the airfield,” said Supervisor James Gore, whose district includes the airport. “This report makes clear that the airport is on track in providing a safe and friendly environment for air travel, community concerns and resilient infrastructure for protection during disasters.”

The most significant highlights in the 2023 update were the completion of a $40 million terminal modernization project, which added 33,000 square feet of amenities and restaurants to enhance passenger experience, and the installation of a wildlife exclusion fence, which frees up staff inspection hours allowing a focus on other duties.

Other highlights in the 2023 update include:

• Establishment of an Avelo crew base, including 45 new local jobs.
• Being awarded roughly $10.5 million in federal grants.
• The annual Airport Partners job fair featured a record 36 participating companies and approximately 200 job seekers.
• The airport was ranked fourth Best Small Airport in the United States by readers of Newsweek magazine.
• Community workshops were held in Windsor and Sebastopol to gather input regarding an Approach Feasibility Study of alternative flight paths for noise mitigation and reduction of emissions.
• The airport hosted a number of community educational events including Girls in Aviation Day, Young Eagles Rally, Wings and Wheels car and aircraft show, Challenge Air Fly Day for children with disabilities and Pacific Coast Air Museum Hot Dog Thursdays.
• STS completed a successful rehabilitation project involving the airport runway pavement, including replacement of a deteriorating culvert.
• The airport also invested in a number of critical studies including an organizational review, sustainability management plan, stormwater system survey, master fuel farm feasibility study, microgrid feasibility study, building survey and compost facility.
• An all-electric tractor was purchased for mowing the Airfield Safety Area.
• The airport saw advertising revenue increase by 500 percent to $300,000 per year due to digital advertising opportunities in the new terminal.

In response to the terminal expansion and ongoing passenger growth at the airport, the Board of Supervisors today also approved the addition of two Airport Operations Specialist positions for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. The new staff will allow for additional coverage, reduced workload and redundancy during emergencies. Ongoing funding for both positions will come from the Airport Enterprise Fund through revenue from rents and fees and will not require contributions from the County’s General Fund.

The Board of Supervisors today also authorized work to begin on updating the structure and advisory roles of the Aviation Commission, which advises the Board in matters related to aviation policy, airport operations, and regional air transportation planning. The update is designed to better align the Aviation Commission with the evolving needs of the airport and surrounding community.

Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport is a certified commercial service airport under federal regulations with operating agreements in place with three air carriers including Alaska, American and Avelo, providing direct service to 14 U.S. destinations. Commercial service airports are required to follow all Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration regulations. Overall, the airport provides approximately 400 local jobs through more than 40 related businesses.  

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Media Contact:
Dan Virkstis
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org 
(707) 565-3040