Santa Monica Airport

A Runway That Built Aviation

For most people today, Santa Monica Airport appears to be a small airport surrounded by a dense urban area.

Its history tells a very different story.

The airport officially opened in 1923 as Clover Field, making it the second-oldest continuously operating airport in the United States, second only to College Park Airport. It is also one of the locations where modern aviation began to take shape in a meaningful way.

Even before the airport formally opened, aircraft were already being built on the site. Douglas Aircraft Company was founded in 1921 in Santa Monica, and early production began nearby before expanding directly onto Clover Field in the following years.

Over the next few decades, Santa Monica became one of the most important aircraft manufacturing locations in the country.

Among the most notable aircraft built here was the Douglas DC-3, which first flew in 1935 and helped make airline travel reliable and economically sustainable. It was part of a broader lineup that included the DC-1 and DC-2, as well as later long-range aircraft such as the DC-4, DC-6, and DC-7.

Military production was just as significant. Aircraft such as the C-47 transport, B-26 bomber, TBD torpedo bomber, and B-18 bomber were produced in large numbers, especially during World War II.

The airport was also tied to some of the earliest milestones in aviation. In 1924, the Douglas World Cruiser departed from Clover Field as part of the first successful flight around the world, proving that global air travel was possible.

Production at Santa Monica continued into the early jet age, but by the 1950s the industry was changing. In 1953, the DC-7 marked the last full production of a major airliner at the Santa Monica plant.

A few years later, in 1958, a key turning point came when Donald Douglas requested a runway extension to support development of the DC-8. The request was denied, and production was subsequently shifted to Long Beach, where larger facilities and longer runways were better suited for jet aircraft.

Manufacturing at Santa Monica declined rapidly after that, and the closure of the plant was finalized following the 1958 decision, bringing an end to large-scale aircraft production at the airport.

At its peak, this single runway supported one of the busiest aviation operations of its time.

Still Active Today

Santa Monica Airport is not only a historic site.

It remains in active use, supporting general aviation and flight training, and continues to serve as a local access point within the Los Angeles area.

Santa Monica Airport also operates a small fleet of the Pipistrel Velis Electro, one of the first certified electric airplanes. They are used by a local flight school, making the airport one of the few places where early electric aviation is part of everyday flying.

Limited Passenger Service

Santa Monica Airport also accommodates a limited amount of passenger service.

JSX began operations at Santa Monica in December 2025, using the ATR 42. It currently operates flights to Scottsdale, Las Vegas, and Napa, with a total of five scheduled passenger flights per day.

While limited, this service shows that the airport remains a vital and active part of the local aviation network.

A Changing Surrounding Environment

Over time, the area surrounding the airport has changed significantly.

What was once open land has become a dense urban environment within the city of Santa Monica. Residential neighborhoods now sit directly adjacent to the airport, influencing how it operates today.

As a result, the airport has transitioned from a large-scale manufacturing center into a smaller, more limited operation compared to its earlier decades.

The 2017 Change and the 2028 Timeline

A major turning point came in 2017.

As part of an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration, the runway was shortened from 5,000 feet to 3,500 feet. This change reduced private jet operations and limited the use of larger aircraft.

That same agreement also set a timeline pointing toward a potential closure in 2028.

More Than Just an Airport

Beyond its role in aviation, the airport has also served practical functions for the surrounding region.

During the Palisades fire, the airport was used to stage helicopters, allowing crews to operate more efficiently and respond quickly. Located roughly 5 miles from Pacific Palisades, it is the closest airport to the area, which made it especially useful as a base for aerial firefighting operations and coordination.

At the same time, it is connected to future developments in aviation.

For the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Archer Aviation has been selected as the official air taxi provider. Plans include using electric aircraft to transport passengers between key locations, with Santa Monica expected to serve as one of the operational hubs.

Looking Ahead

As of right now, the airport is expected to close in 2028.

However, that outcome is not entirely set in stone. The long-term future of the site will ultimately involve the community, and the City Council has yet to make a final decision on what happens next.

In that sense, the airport’s future is still being shaped.

Santa Monica Airport remains a vital part of the community. It continues to support flying activity and connects both the history and future of aviation in one place.

It is a site where key developments in aviation history took place, and it remains active today.

Whether it ultimately closes or continues in some form, its legacy is already well established.

For now, operations continue—and its final chapter is still being written.