Palo Alto Airport Long Range Facilities & Sustainability Plan (LRFSP)

Based on City Council feedback at the September 16, 2024 Palo Alto Airport study session and to meet constraints not to expand its footprint, staff are reconsidering planning alternatives while also working to make near-term progress on leaded fuel and noise issues. This project is on pause while this work proceeds.

The Palo Alto Airport Long Range Facilities and Sustainability Plan (LRFSP) will guide the Palo Alto Airport with their 20+ year development plan, focused on improving facilities and enhancing the Palo Alto Airport’s sustainability and resiliency. The goal of the LRFSP is to determine the extent, type, and schedule of improvements needed to accommodate existing and predicted future needs at the Airport in a sustainable manner. The LRFSP considers which airport improvements are necessary based on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) criteria, and supports the Palo Alto Airport's role in the community as a transportation partner with a focus on safety, sustainability and resiliency.

Status Update on Unleaded Fuel at the Palo Alto Airport: The Airport is working to implement the unleaded fuel transition plan presented to City Council at the September 2024 Airport study session. Most recently, Swift 100R, a high-octane unleaded fuel, was brought to the airport in December 2024 and the Airport is working to promote the sale of the fuel to users.

Update on the Airport Noise Program: The Palo Alto Airport is working with users to minimize noise impacts and using a flight tracking system to identify aircraft that violate the voluntary noise abatement procedures. The Airport is also working with other Bay Area airports to ensure their users are informed about Palo Alto Airport’s voluntary noise abatement procedures.

A girl sits on her dad's shoulders while they look at a helicopter on the tarmac

Meetings & Community Engagement

Thank you to all who submitted survey responses, the survey is now closed. Results were transmitted as part of the September 16, 2024 City Council Study Session.

Previously Held Meetings

Public Meeting 1 (May 17, 2023)

May 17 Summary and Presentation(PDF, 7MB)

Public Meeting 2 (August 24 and September 21, 2023)

Public Meeting 3 (October 18, 2023)

October 18 Summary and Presentation(PDF, 5MB)

Sustainability Charrette (November 15, 2023)

November 2023 Summary and Presentation(PDF, 2MB)

Public Meeting 4 (February 21, 2024)

February 21 Summary and Presentation(PDF, 14MB)

Public Meeting 5 (June 20, 2024)

June 20 Summary and Presentation(PDF, 18MB)

Project Documents

A group of people at Palo Alto Airport Day

Long Range Plan Components

The Inventory step involved the gathering and organizing of information regarding the existing conditions of the Airport and the surrounding community. Additionally, the section includes a complete inventory of existing airside and landside assets, support facilities (CalDART, Life Flight, Sheriff), as well as airport access, wayfinding, and parking.
The Facility Needs and Recommendations component will summarize Palo Alto's Airport's ability to accommodate future aeronautical and non-aeronautical demand through the planning period. The recommendations will guide the alternative development process by examining projected perceived needs of the following major components: airfield, airspace, landside, general aviation, airport support facilities and equipment, as well as utilities and infrastructure.
A Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) aims to institutionalize finding solutions to improve the environmental and societal impacts of the Airport through long-range planning.
Airfield alternatives will be developed associated with the identified facility needs and recommendations, environmental considerations, engineering factors, costs, and overall feasibility for implementation.
Implementation Plan will determine a foundation for implementing items from facility requirements, SMP, and waste & recycling plan.

More about the Airport

100 years of Aviation in Palo Alto - The original Palo Alto Airport was built in 1923 on the grounds of Stanford University adjacent to the Stanford Stadium. In 1935, the Airport moved to the current location in the Baylands due to a lawsuit regarding noise which was filed in 1934. The Airport has shifted slightly in alignment over the years to meet its current form. In 2014, the City of Palo Alto terminated a 50-year lease with the County of Santa Clara, transferring operation of the Airport back to the City.

Airport Vision and Goals -The City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan 2030 outlines official policies on land use and community design, transportation, housing, natural environment, safety, business, economic, and community services, and provides a long-range vision for both private and public property within the City of Palo Alto, Stanford University, and other property in unincorporated Santa Clara County. Although this is not an airport-specific document, it does outline several goals and policies pertaining to the Palo Alto Airport.

Helicopter Flight on Palo Alto Airport Day