Message from Manager

"Watch us take off!"

We certainly are taking off here at Napa Valley Airport.

Air taxi service, corporate jet and fractional ownership jet traffic is increasing. Anchor or cornerstone long-term tenants such as Bridgeford Flying Services (55 years at Napa Airport) Jonesy’s Famous Steakhouse (55 years), Golden Gate Air Operations Unit of the California Highway Patrol (10 years) and JAL Flight Training Facility (30 years) are joined by Apex Aviation and 6 jet aircraft storage hangars. In addition to our corporate tenants we also have 179 short-term hangar agreements.

Napa Valley Airport tenants provide 313 jobs with a total income of $17.9 million annually. The Airport is financially supported through revenue earned at the Airport along with Federal and State grants for capital improvements. There is no County general fund support. It is estimated that aircraft at Napa Valley Airport provide $1.8 million annually in property taxes. Nearly 75 percent of the tax dollars collected is allocated to Napa Valley schools.

We’re proud of our airport, and what it means to our community. Visit Napa Valley Airport to take a flight, dine at Jonesy’s, watch arriving and departing aircraft, and visit Napa County’s best civic value.

Martin Pehl, A.A.E., Airport Manager

Directions

Directions can be found under the Contact heading.

History

The attack on Pearl Harbor sparked construction of an airfield in Napa. The Napa Auxiliary Air Defense Field was built in 1942, along with hundreds of other new facilities up and down the coast. Not long after the Napa Air Defense Field became operational, the threat of attack ended. At war's end in 1945, the federal government turned over control of the airport to Napa County.

Two years later, the airport featured a hangar, shop and administration building, and five fixed base operators (FBO's) vied for business. Only one of the five survived beyond 1947 - Bridgeford Flying Services, which remains in operation today.

In 1952, Southwest Airlines commuter service from Napa to San Francisco began. The operation was short-lived, ending the same year after a fire destroyed the administration building. Federal funds fueled construction of a new terminal, but commuter service was never restored.

The growth of general aviation in the post-war years led to a new taxiway and apron in 1963, and construction of a control tower in 1964.

In 1971, Japan Air Lines (JAL) began work on a facility for pilot training. JAL brought increased growth to the airport, with new hangars and training facilities, and future JAL pilots continue to develop their skills in Napa today. JAL has operated continuously for over 36 years with well over 500,000 accident free flight hours logged. More than 2500 JAL Captains and First Officers have been trained. JAL is a welcome addition to the airport and the community.

Napa Valley Corporate Park, just north of the airport, and the Gateway Project to the east side of the airport, are home to a growing number of businesses. Commercial growth and future development of a destination hotel nearby, promises to stimulate greater corporate use for Napa Valley Airport facilities.

From the 1970s to the present, Napa Valley has grown into a highly desirable tourist destination. Events like the Napa Valley Wine Auction, and major events at the nearby Infineon Raceway, create a peak of arrivals and departures at the Napa Valley Airport. A number of corporate jets are now based at Napa Valley Airport and there is a lengthy waiting list for hangar space.

From its origins as an air defense outpost, the Napa Valley Airport has become an irreplaceable resource for general aviation, and an economic engine for the community.

Transportation

Bridgeford Flying Services, a full service FBO located at Napa Valley Airport, will make advance reservations for ground transportation and aircraft charter to suit your needs. Contact them at 707-224-0887.

Helicopter charters, tours and airport transfers are available from Wine Country Helicopters. Contact them at 707-226-8470.

Ground transportation providers are not based on the airport, but various rental agencies serve the Airport from their facilities in the City of Napa. Visit the Napa Chamber of Commerce or Napa Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau for listings of ground transportation providers. Vehicle charter services are readily available, including bus transportation for large groups.

Staff

Napa Airport is a subdivision under the County Public Works Department. A seven-member airport advisory board oversees the planning and development of the airport. The members are appointed by the five-person County Board of Supervisors. The Airport Manager and an eight-person staff oversee operations on the 820-acre facility.

Important Numbers

Airport Operations (707) 253-4300 or (707) 253-4301
Airport Manager (707) 299-1694

Brochure

About Napa Valley Airport Brochure (.pdf)