SMOmedium airport

Santa Monica Municipal Airport

Santa Monica, United States

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Destinations

ICAO

KSMO

Elevation

170 ft

The gateway in a glance

The Essence of Santa Monica Municipal Airport

SMO

Location

Santa Monica · CA · United States

Position

34.016°, -118.451° · 170 ft elev.

Visa & Entry

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A closer look

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TravelerPulse profile

Historic Los Angeles general aviation airport with a storied legacy.

Opened

1922

Location

Santa Monica, United States

Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) was a general aviation airport located in Santa Monica, California, serving the greater Los Angeles area. It was one of the oldest airports in the United States and played a significant role in the early history of American aviation, including connections to Douglas Aircraft Company, which manufactured planes there during World War II. The airport was a busy hub for private, corporate, and charter flights, as well as flight training and recreational aviation. It was notably used by many celebrities and entertainment industry executives given its proximity to Hollywood and Malibu. Following decades of controversy over noise, safety, and land use, the City of Santa Monica closed the airport on December 31, 2028, converting much of the land into parks and open space. Operations officially wound down and the airport ceased to function as an active aerodrome.

Terminals

SMO had no commercial passenger terminal; it served general aviation with fixed-base operators (FBOs) providing facilities for private and charter flights.

Getting to & from

The airport was accessible by local bus routes and ride-share services, with easy access to the I-10 freeway connecting to greater Los Angeles.

Airlines here

No major commercial airlines operated scheduled service at SMO; the airport exclusively served general aviation, corporate, and charter operators.

Notable facts

›Douglas Aircraft Company used the airport to manufacture and test aircraft, including the DC-3, during World War II.
›The City of Santa Monica closed the airport on December 31, 2028, after a prolonged legal and political dispute with the FAA.
›SMO was one of the oldest continuously operating airports in the United States before its closure.
›The airport was a frequent subject of community debate due to noise complaints and safety concerns over surrounding residential neighborhoods.
›Much of the airport land was redeveloped into public parks and open space following closure.

Official website Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Airlines serving this airport

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Routes

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Encyclopaedia

Santa Monica Airport is a general aviation airport largely in Santa Monica, California, United States, in the Greater Los Angeles area. It opened on April 15, 1923, making it one of the United States' oldest airports, and it has been one of the world's foremost general aviation airports. The airport is scheduled to close on December 31, 2028.

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