San Bernardino International Airport

San Bernardino International Airport
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Name	San Bernardino International Airport
Iata	SBD
Icao	KSBD
Faa	SBD
Type	Public
Owner	San Bernardino International Airport Authority
City-served	San Bernardino, California
Elevation-ft	1,031
R1-number	6/24
R1-length-ft	10,000
R1-surface	Asphalt/concrete

San Bernardino International Airport is a public airport located in San Bernardino, California, situated on the site of the former Norton Air Force Base. It functions as a regional air cargo and general aviation facility serving the Inland Empire and connects to nearby urban centers such as Los Angeles, Riverside, and Ontario. The airport is owned by the San Bernardino International Airport Authority and has been the focus of redevelopment initiatives involving local, state, and federal stakeholders.

History

The airport occupies the former Norton Air Force Base property, which traces its origins to World War II-era expansion and Cold War-era operations involving the United States Air Force, Air Materiel Command, and later Military Airlift Command. Following the closure of Norton under the Base Realignment and Closure process, the City of San Bernardino, the County of San Bernardino County, California, and the Redevelopment Agency of the County of San Bernardino pursued reuse plans that aligned with initiatives by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation. Early redevelopment included environmental remediation coordinated with the Environmental Protection Agency and grants from the Economic Development Administration. The site's conversion into a civilian airport prompted partnerships with institutions such as the California State University, San Bernardino and attracted involvement from corporations like FedEx, BNSF Railway, and regional development groups tied to the Inland Empire planning initiatives.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The airport features a 10,000-foot runway (designated 6/24) capable of accommodating large cargo aircraft and corporate aviation, with pavement and lighting upgrades funded through programs administered by the Federal Aviation Administration and state transportation agencies including the California Department of Transportation. On-site facilities include cargo aprons, hangars, fixed-base operator services, and a terminal area designed to support freight operations and general aviation tied to businesses from Los Angeles International Airport-area supply chains, Ontario International Airport, and regional logistics hubs near Riverside, California. The airfield layout integrates taxiways, instrument landing systems, and air traffic procedures consistent with Federal Aviation Regulations overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration. Surface access is supported by connections to Interstate 10, Interstate 215, and nearby State Route 210, and the property includes infrastructure for potential intermodal links to rail corridors used by Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway freight services. Utilities and stormwater systems were upgraded in coordination with agencies such as the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Airlines and Destinations

Historically, the airport has focused on cargo, charter, and general aviation rather than extensive scheduled passenger service; operators have included contract carriers and regional freight partners such as FedEx Express and charter operators serving corporate clients from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. Proposals for scheduled passenger service have involved discussions with regional carriers and low-cost airlines influenced by market dynamics in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Orange County, and San Diego County. The airport has pursued partnerships with aviation service providers, logistics firms, and aerospace companies including suppliers to Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities and occasional contract flights supporting government and commercial clients.

Ground Transportation

Ground access to the airport is provided via Interstate 10 and Interstate 215, with arterial connections to State Route 210 and local streets serving the City of San Bernardino and unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County, California. Regional transit links have been explored with Omnitrans and proposals involving Metrolink (California), with intermodal planning referencing the nearby BNSF San Bernardino Yard and freight rail corridors. Shuttle services, taxi operators, and rental car firms connect the airfield to destination points such as Ontario International Airport, Los Angeles Union Station, and business parks in the Inland Empire; long-term strategies have included coordination with the Southern California Association of Governments and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority for integrated mobility and goods-movement planning.

Economic Impact and Development

Redevelopment of the former Norton Air Force Base site into the airport has been central to regional economic development strategies promoted by leaders in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California, and the Inland Empire business community. Economic analyses by entities such as the Economic Development Administration and regional chambers— including the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce—have emphasized job creation in logistics, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors, attracting investment from freight operators like FedEx and from aerospace contractors linked to NASA programs and defense procurement. Tax-increment financing and state incentives administered through California agencies have supported land-use conversion, while workforce development partnerships with institutions such as San Bernardino Valley College and California State University, San Bernardino aim to prepare labor pools for careers in aviation, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. The site redevelopment also features commercial real estate projects tied to inland port concepts championed by regional planners and trade organizations such as the Port of Los Angeles and Los Angeles/Long Beach Port Complex stakeholders.

Safety, Operations, and Environmental Considerations

Operational safety at the airport follows standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration and involves coordination with Air Traffic Control facilities and emergency services from the San Bernardino County Fire Department and San Bernardino Police Department. Environmental remediation from former military uses was conducted under oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, with ongoing monitoring for soil and groundwater conditions. Noise abatement, air-quality concerns, and emissions mitigation have been addressed in consultation with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and state environmental review processes under the California Environmental Quality Act. Wildlife hazard management and stormwater controls adhere to guidance from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to balance operational needs with habitat considerations.

Category:Airports in San Bernardino County, California Category:San Bernardino, California