SFO Airport (San Francisco International Airport) – Cargo, Address, Transit

About This Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO/KSFO) handled 537,115 tonnes of air cargo in 2025, down 4.5 percent from 562,151 tonnes in 2024, and remains Northern California's principal transpacific belly-cargo gateway. Almost all of that volume travels in the holds of long-haul passenger aircraft, with United Airlines by far the largest carrier and Asian operators such as Nippon Cargo Airlines and Korean Air Cargo historically prominent on the trade lane. For pure freighter rotations and overnight express, however, San Francisco Bay Oakland (OAK) across the bay is the practical choice, since the FedEx and UPS bases sit there and night operations are permitted. SFO is building a new cargo terminal scheduled for completion in spring 2028, equipped with automated storage and materials-handling technology intended to raise throughput substantially. US Customs and Border Protection clears shipments on site, and proximity to Silicon Valley shapes the commodity mix: semiconductors, servers, networking equipment, prototypes and high-value spare parts inbound, pharmaceuticals and Californian perishables outbound. Highways 101 and 380 plus Interstate 280 link the airport to the corridor between San Francisco and San José, while the Port of Oakland adds a multimodal option for heavy or oversized consignments. Alongside OAK, the usual alternatives are San José Mineta (SJC) for short-haul volumes and Los Angeles International (LAX) for additional intercontinental freighter frequency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IATA code of San Francisco International Airport?▼

The IATA code of San Francisco International Airport is SFO. This three-letter code is used for unique airport identification in international air transport.

Where is San Francisco International Airport located?▼

San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco, US.

What is the ICAO code of San Francisco International Airport?▼

The ICAO code of San Francisco International Airport is KSFO. This four-letter code is used internationally in aviation.

What is the elevation of San Francisco International Airport?▼

San Francisco International Airport is at an elevation of 4 meters (13 ft) above sea level.

San Francisco International AirportSFO · KSFO

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