Travelers in Northern California take note: Redding Regional Airport will halt all commercial flights for nearly a month this fall to allow a major runway rehabilitation project.
The $30 million overhaul, backed by federal grants, will shut the airport from September 23 through October 20, 2025. During that period, crews will resurface the main runway and upgrade critical airfield infrastructure, meaning passengers will need to plan around a significant disruption in air service.
For the nearly four-week closure, no passenger flights will take off or land at Redding, which normally offers daily service to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Denver via United Express and Alaska Airlines.
Airport officials are urging travelers with fall plans to rebook through other airports and coordinate with their airlines ahead of time.
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Why the Runway Upgrade Is Needed
For airport officials, the inconvenience is outweighed by the urgent need to fix aging infrastructure. Redding’s primary runway is decades old and showing signs of distress, with cracks forming and pavement “curling” along the joints due to wear and heavier aircraft traffic.
“Our runway is decades old and nearing the end of its useful life. It’s vital to maintain safety and reliability… Delaying this project risks losing service altogether and potentially impacting wildfire operations, as well as other business users,” warns Airports Manager Andrew Solsvig.
In other words, rehabilitating the runway is essential to meet Federal Aviation Administration standards and keep the airport operational for the long term.
The airport, originally built in 1942, handled roughly 175,000 passengers last year, so ensuring a safe, reliable runway is critical for the region’s connectivity.
What the $30 Million Project Involves
The FAA-funded project includes a comprehensive overhaul of Redding’s airfield to enhance safety and comply with current regulations. According to the airport, key upgrades will include :
- Runway resurfacing: Repaving and strengthening the main 7,003-foot runway surface, which is comparable to laying over 6 miles of two-lane highway.
- Taxiway and blast pad improvements: Repairing taxiway connectors and adding a new blast pad safety buffer at the end of the runway for jet blast protection.
- Lighting upgrades: Installing a new runway lighting system with energy-efficient LED bulbs to improve visibility and reduce maintenance.
- Updated markings and signage: Repainting all pavement markings and replacing airfield signs (legends) to guide pilots on the ground, aligning with current FAA standards.
Construction is set to begin September 23 and will continue non-stop for 28 days. During most of that period, Redding’s shorter crosswind runway will remain open for private planes, medical flights, and firefighting aircraft.
However, there will be an intense six-day window (October 6–11) when even that runway closes completely so crews can rebuild the intersection of the two runways. “September 23, we’re shutting the main runway down… opening it the night of October 20. And then within that, both runways are scheduled to be closed on October 6 through the 11,” explained project engineer Jeff Leonard at a recent public meeting.
The schedule was deliberately timed for early fall – after the summer travel rush and toward the end of wildfire season – to minimize disruption and to get the work done before winter rains arrive. If all goes to plan, the renovated runway will reopen on October 20 and commercial airline service can resume by the following day.
Travel Disruptions and How to Plan
With Redding Regional Airport effectively shut to airline traffic for a month, travelers will need to adjust their plans.
United and Alaska Airlines will suspend all flights to and from Redding during the construction window. “We will have no commercial flights during that time… we know that they’re going to need to use alternate airports,” Solsvig said, urging passengers to “talk to their airlines, make sure to coordinate their travel plans” well in advance.
Affected customers should contact their airline for rebooking or refund options, as tickets on RDD flights during the closure will need to be accommodated via other airports.
In practice, most Redding-area flyers will have to drive or find ground transportation to an alternate airport for any trips in that late-September to late-October period. Airport officials specifically encourage travelers to make arrangements through other cities during the shutdown.
The closest major hub is Sacramento International (SMF), roughly 150 miles south, which offers numerous daily flights to California and nationwide destinations.
Depending on one’s itinerary, other regional airports like Medford, OR (MFR) or the Arcata-Eureka airport (ACV) on the North Coast could serve as alternatives. Travelers should factor in the extra travel time and potential costs of using a different airport, and plan accordingly.
Locally, the month-long pause in airline service may have ripple effects on tourism and business. Some visitors might postpone trips, and companies that rely on convenient air travel will face a temporary inconvenience. Why go through all this pain? City leaders say the short-term disruption will yield long-term gains for the community.
The runway rehabilitation is viewed as a vital investment in Redding’s future connectivity. As Solsvig puts it, “It lays the foundation – literally – for the future. A rehabilitated runway ensures we can support existing aircraft, continue safe operations, and maintain FAA compliance… keeping RDD competitive and capable of serving our region’s needs for decades to come.”
In addition to the runway overhaul, the city has plans to improve the airport’s parking facilities and is courting new air service (Denver was added in 2025, for example). All these efforts aim to boost Redding’s profile as a regional travel hub once the dust has settled.
If you’re flying out of Northern California this fall and Redding is your usual airport, be sure to note the Sept. 23 – Oct. 20 closure on your calendar. With a bit of foresight – and perhaps a road trip to Sacramento or another airport – you can navigate around the shutdown.
And when Redding Regional Airport reopens with its upgraded runway, travelers can look forward to a safer, more reliable flying experience ready to serve the region for years to come.