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SD Airport Plans

Montgomery-Gibbs Executive and Brown Field Airports

Montgomery-Gibbs Executive and Brown Field Municipal Airports

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The Airports

Brown Field Municipal Airport

Brown Field Municipal Airport (Brown Field) is located 1.5 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border in the Otay Mesa community. It is a public-use, 24-hour, general aviation airport that also serves as a U.S. Port of Entry. The airport has two runways and provides a variety of services including aircraft storage and maintenance, flight training, aircraft and car rentals, skydiving and banner towing.

Originally named East Field in honor of Army Maj. Whitten J. East, the airport opened in 1918 when the U.S. Army established an aerial gunnery and aerobatics school to relieve congestion at Naval Air Station North Island. The U.S. Navy took over the airfield in 1943 and operated there until 1962, with the exception of a five-year period that the airport was decommissioned and used by the County of San Diego. In September 1962, the U.S. Navy transferred ownership of Brown Field to the City of San Diego, with the condition that it remains an airport for the use and benefit of the public.

For more information about Brown Field Municipal Airport, visit the City’s website.

Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport

Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport is a public-use, 24-hour, general aviation airport servicing all aircraft except air carrier and military. The airport has three runways and a helipad and provides a variety of services including aircraft storage and maintenance, flight training, aircraft rentals and sales, car rentals and pilot supplies. The airport property also features a restaurant, hotel and golf course.

Originally known as Gibbs Field, the airport opened in 1937 in the Kearny Mesa community with a single runway. It was used to train Army Air Corps cadets to fly until the City of San Diego (City) purchased the airport from Gibbs in 1947. The City later named the airport after John J. Montgomery, who is credited with making the first controlled flight in a fixed wing aircraft in the Otay Mesa area in 1883.

On January 28, 2016, the City Council passed a resolution to change the name of the airport to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport and establish a new vision by demonstrating a commitment to provide high quality services and facilities to the flying public.

For more information about Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, visit the City’s website.

Both Brown Field and Montgomery-Gibbs Airports are classified by the Federal Aviation Administration as reliever airports, meaning they serve general aviation aircraft that might otherwise use a congested air carrier airport (e.g., San Diego International Airport). Airline passengers benefit from reliever airports by experiencing fewer delays due to air traffic congestion.

General aviation aircraft that operate at both airports include:

  • Private
  • Corporate
  • Charter
  • Air ambulance, law enforcement, fire rescue
  • Flight training
  • Cargo (limited capacity)

Skydiving, banner towing and airships also operate at Brown Field.

  • Home
  • The Airports
  • About the Project
  • Get Involved
  • Documents
  • Schedule
  • Contact Us
  • CEQA

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