| Merced Regional Airport MacReady Field |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: MCE – ICAO: KMCE – FAA LID: MCE | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Owner | City of Merced | ||
| Location | Merced, California | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 155 ft / 47 m | ||
| Website | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 12/30 | 5,914 | 1,803 | Asphalt |
| Statistics (2010) | |||
| Aircraft operations | 53,250 | ||
| Based aircraft | 66 | ||
| Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1] | |||
Merced Regional Airport (IATA: MCE, ICAO: KMCE, FAA LID: MCE), also known as MacReady Field, is a public airport located two miles (3 km) southwest of the central business district of Merced, a city in Merced County, California, United States. The airport is owned by the City of Merced.[1] It is mostly used for general aviation, but is also used by one commercial airline. Service is subsidized by the Essential Air Service program.
On May 15, 2011, Great Lakes Airlines commenced service to Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, with a stop over in Visalia, California. In addition to the Los Angeles service, the airline also offers two daily non-stop, round trip flights between Merced and Las Vegas.[2]
Previously, Great Lakes Airlines provided service to LA/Ontario International Airport in Ontario, California. Due to the success of flights to Las Vegas offered under prior carriers, service between Merced and Ontario was discontinued in favor of the more popular Las Vegas route.[3]
Bus connections to Yosemite National Park are available through the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS).
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Merced's first airport was at what is now Castle Airport in nearby Atwater, CA. The airstrip along with sixty-six acres of land was obtained in 1932 as a gift from the Twenty-Thirty Club and the Crocker-Huffman Company, and in 1936 the City of Merced assumed responsibility of the airport. During the next 5 years several buildings were constructed and the airport site was expanded to 123 acres (0.50 km2).
After the United States entered World War II, Merced Municipal Airport was leased to the U.S. Army Air Force, eventually becoming Merced Army Airfield (1943–1946), and later Castle Air Force Base (1947–1995).
Construction of a new airport at the present site about 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of Merced near Childs Avenue began in 1940. When the United States entered World War II the remaining work was completed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers working under the Civil Aeronautics Authority.[4] This new airport was known as "New Merced Municipal Airport".
In 1943 the new airport was leased to the U.S. Army Air Force and used as an axillary field for Merced Army Airfield (present day Castle Airport). Under the lease, the airport's name was changed to "New Merced Municipal Airport Auxiliary Field". The lease was terminated immediately after the war, and the airport was returned to civil control.[5]
In 1946 United Airlines built offices and a terminal building and began one DC-3 flight each way a day. That same year, damage incurred during the Army Air Force's use of the site was repaired, and additional improvements were completed using government funds. Two years later in 1948, Merced Municipal Airport was annexed to the City of Merced.[5]
During the 1950s the airport was used to service military aircraft from the United States Armed Forces, and in 1975 a control tower was constructed to handle additional air traffic.[4][5]
United's DC-3s were replaced by Convairs in 1955-56, then by DC-6s in 1968 and 737s in 1968-69; United left Merced for good in 1979.
On March 6, 2009 the city council voted to change the name of the airport from Merced Municipal Airport to Merced Regional Airport.[6]
The Airport has formerly been served by Air Pacific, American Eagle, Golden Gate Airlines, United Airlines, United Express and US Airways Express
Merced Regional Airport covers an area of 766 acres (310 ha) which contains one asphalt paved runway (12/30) measuring 5,914 x 150 ft (1,803 x 46 m).[1]
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2010, the airport had 53,250 aircraft operations, an average of 146 per day: 94% general aviation, 5% scheduled commercial, and 1% military and air taxi. There are 66 aircraft based at this airport: 94% single engine, 6% multi-engine, and no jet aircraft.[1]
Merced Regional Airport also serves as a base for Medi-Flight Northern California, an air ambulance service provided by Mercy Air, a subsidiary of Air Methods.[7] Medi-Flight shuttles critical patients from Mercy Medical Center Merced to hospitals in the Modesto and Fresno areas, as well as responding directly to accident scenes.
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Great Lakes Airlines | Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Visalia |
| Passengers | Change from previous year | |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5,157 |
|
| 2001 | 3,456 | 32.9% |
| 2002 | 7,626 | 129.3% |
| 2003 | 7,522 | 1.36% |
| 2004 | 8,004 | 6.41% |
| 2005 | 8,616 | 7.65% |
| 2006 | 7,885 | 8.48% |
| 2007 | 6,126 | 21.4% |
| 2008 | 2,173 | 64.9% |
| 2009 | 1,052 | 51.6% |
| 2010 | 2,051 | 94.7% |
| Source: Federal Aviation Administration [8] | ||
Since June 1957, Merced Regional Airport has hosted the annual Merced West Coast Antique Fly-In. Each year, the fly-in draws hundreds of pilots from across the Western United States to Merced to display their rare and antique aircraft. The fly-in also features an air show and an antique car show. In 2007, the 50th annual fly-in drew nearly 400 planes as well as several stunt pilots.[9]
Since 2008, the Merced West Coast Antique Fly-In has been canceled due to lack of sponsors and volunteers.[9] Pilots wanting to participate in the fly-in are still welcomed to congregate at the airport. However, this gathering is unofficial and given limited publicity.