There are five airports within 80 miles of Merced, California. The closest three are located within eight miles of the center of Merced and are not serviced by international airlines. However, one offers connecting flights to an international airport. The remaining two airlines are over 50 miles away from Merced. These are international airports serviced by major commercial airlines.
Merced Regional is located off Highway 99 in the city of Merced. It is a publically owned airport serving Merced and surrounding areas. Great Lakes Airline is the only commercial airline in operation at MCE. According to a City of Merced press release, as of April 7, 2010, Great Lakes will fly twice daily to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada from which other connecting flights are available.
A former U.S. airbase, Castle Airport is located off of Highway 99 in the city of Atwater, approximately eight miles from the center of Merced. The majority of its air traffic consists of general aviation (as opposed to military or major airlines) and flights related to two flight schools: Sierra Academy of Aeronautics and the American School of Aviation.
Flying M Ranch is a privately owned airport located off Highway 99 in Merced. It requires permission prior to landing as it does not offer major commercial airline service.
The closest major international airport to Merced, Fresno Yosemite International Airport is 56 miles from the center of Merced, California, off of Highway 180. FAT is also the closest airport to Yosemite National Park. It offers service from eight domestic and one Mexican Airline, which operate national and international flights. It is open between 3 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. or until the last arrival. It contains restaurants, shops, and short and long-term parking.
The Norman Y. Mineta Airport is located in San Jose, CA, 79 miles from Merced. It is accessible by way of three major freeways; 101, 880 and 87. It offers major airline service consisting of direct and connecting national and international flights 24 hours a day. It features shopping and dinning areas, short and long-term parking and, as of 2010, an expanded eight-lane security checkpoint.
