Southern California Logistics Airport

Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville is not merely a transport hub, but an impressive industrial giant situated in the midst of the picturesque Mojave Desert. Unlike standard passenger hubs, this location is renowned for its surreal atmosphere: here, under the bright Californian sun, hundreds of massive liners await their fate or undergo modernisation. A former military base has been transformed into a global logistics centre, which, thanks to its scale and unique character, often serves as a filming location for Hollywood blockbusters.

The airport possesses a number of unique features that distinguish it from other aviation facilities in the USA:

• Strategic Location and Climate: The airport is located in a desert zone with extremely low humidity. Such weather conditions are ideal for the long-term storage of aircraft, preventing metal corrosion. This is why VCV is known as one of the world's largest sites for aircraft preservation.
• Ultra-Long Runway: The second-longest runway in the United States (over 4,500 metres) allows the airport to accept absolutely any type of aircraft, including the heaviest cargo planes and giants like the Airbus A380 or the An-124 "Ruslan".
• Cinematic Popularity: Thanks to its futuristic landscapes and rows of stored aircraft, the airport territory is regularly used for filming movies, commercials, and music videos. Scenes for films such as "The Fast and the Furious", "The Sum of All Fears", and "Jarhead" were shot here.
• Logistics Capabilities: The airport is part of a global multimodal cargo hub, combining aviation, rail, and road transport, and also holds the status of a Foreign Trade Zone, making it a key node for international business.

• Official Website: Current information, schedules (if applicable), and news can be found on the airport's official portal www.flyvcv.com.
• Enquiry Service Phone: For information, you can call the main airport administration number: +1 (760) 243-1100.
• Airport Address: 18374 Phantom W, Victorville, CA 92394, USA.
• Email: For email communication, it is recommended to use the contact forms on the official website, as a public email for general enquiries may not be available.
• Social Media: As Southern California Logistics Airport is primarily a cargo and logistics centre, official social media accounts oriented towards passengers may not be maintained.
• Lost Luggage Information: Since the airport does not serve regular commercial passenger flights, there is no unified lost luggage service. For all questions related to lost luggage, please contact your air carrier or charter company directly.
• Passenger Support Contacts: Support for passengers on private and charter flights is provided by airline representatives or the Fixed-Base Operator (FBO), rather than a general airport service.

You can reach Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) from the city centre of Victorville, located approximately 15 km away, in several ways. It is important to consider that this is primarily a major logistics and maintenance centre, not a standard passenger hub, which directly affects transport accessibility. Therefore, the most convenient and predictable option for the journey is by car.

Car Hire is the optimal choice for moving around this region of the USA. Offices of rental companies (Hertz, Enterprise, etc.) are located in the city of Victorville itself, not on the airport territory. The drive from the city centre to the airport will take just 15–20 minutes. Another reliable method is taxi or ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft. The cost of the trip will average $30–50. It is recommended to book a car in advance to avoid long waits.

The public transport system in this part of California is not oriented towards direct connections with VCV Airport. Buses from the Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) operate within the city, but their routes do not pass directly through the airport. You would have to travel to the nearest stop and then call a taxi, making this method extremely inconvenient and unpredictable regarding time.

There is a car park at the administrative buildings on the airport territory; however, it is not intended for the long-term storage of passenger vehicles as is common in major commercial airports. If you are planning to fly into this region, it is most likely your flight will arrive at one of the neighbouring passenger airports. The nearest major air gateways are Ontario International Airport (ONT), approximately 63 km away, and Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), 100 km from Victorville. You may also consider San Bernardino International Airport (SBD), which is closer but serves fewer destinations.

It is important to note that Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) in the city of Victorville is not a traditional passenger airport with regular commercial flights. Its primary purpose is cargo transport, technical maintenance, repair, and long-term storage of aircraft. Due to this specific nature, the terminal infrastructure familiar to travellers is absent here.

The airport has no passenger terminals in the standard sense of the word, with departure and arrival zones for commercial airlines. Instead, the vast territory houses hangars, logistics complexes, and parking areas for aircraft. The entire layout of the airport is subordinated to the tasks of cargo and technical maintenance, rather than passenger flow.

Since regular passenger flights are not serviced here, concepts such as transfers between terminals, standard check-in procedures, and security screening are not applicable. The handling of private and charter flights may be carried out through a Fixed-Base Operator (FBO), but this does not imply the presence of public terminal complexes.

If you are planning a trip to this region of the USA, you should consider the nearest passenger airports, such as Ontario International Airport (ONT), which is located approximately 60 kilometres to the south.

The history of Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) is unique and differs from most civil airports. Its roots go back to a military past: it was founded in 1941 as the military airfield Victorville Army Airfield. During the Second World War, it served as an important training base for bomber pilots. Later, in 1950, the airfield was renamed George Air Force Base and throughout the Cold War was a key facility of the US Air Force Tactical Air Command.

A turning point in the airport's history came in 1992, when the airbase was closed as part of a national programme to reduce military facilities. This event launched a massive transformation. The military complex was transferred to civilian authorities, who began an ambitious project to create a major logistics and commercial centre. Thus, the former military base turned into the Southern California Logistics Airport, located in the city of Victorville.

Thanks to its location in the dry climate of the Mojave Desert, VCV quickly found its unique niche. Ideal weather conditions with low humidity proved excellent for the long-term storage and preservation of aircraft, protecting them from corrosion. This made the airport one of the world's largest "aircraft boneyards", where airlines send their liners for temporary or permanent storage. Furthermore, the airport boasts one of the longest runways in the country, capable of accepting the world's largest aircraft, including the Airbus A380.

In recent history, the airport played a key role during global crises in the aviation industry. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of passenger liners from all over the world were stored here simultaneously. Parallel to this, VCV actively developed as a centre for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). Major companies, including Boeing, use its facilities for various works and testing. The airport has become an important multimodal hub, effectively combining air, rail, and road transport.

One of the most interesting facts about VCV Airport is its popularity in the world of cinema. Impressive views of rows of aircraft stretching to the horizon have repeatedly attracted Hollywood directors. The airport has become a filming location for scenes in blockbusters such as "The Fast and the Furious", "Jarhead", and "The Sum of All Fears". This makes it not just an important industrial facility, but a place with a rich and multifaceted history.

It is important to understand that Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) is not a standard commercial airport for regular passenger transport. Its main specialisation is cargo logistics, technical maintenance, aircraft storage, and servicing private charter flights. In this regard, the set of services for passengers here is specific and differs from major passenger hubs.

There are no familiar terminals on the airport territory with a multitude of restaurants, cafes, and shops. The handling of passengers arriving or departing on charter or private flights is usually carried out through ground handling operators (FBO — Fixed-Base Operator). These centres provide their clients with comfortable lounges, Wi-Fi access, charging stations, and sometimes conference rooms for business meetings.

Specialised services, such as bank branches, currency exchange points, 24-hour medical centres, or playrooms for children, are absent here. Passengers requiring special conditions, including travellers with reduced mobility, are recommended to discuss all details and needs with their air carrier or FBO operator in advance to ensure a comfortable stay.

There are no hotels directly on the territory of Southern California Logistics Airport. The nearest accommodation options, as well as full-service restaurants, shops, and other services, can be found in the city of Victorville, located a few minutes' drive from the airport. This city in the USA offers a wide choice of hotels and establishments to suit any taste and budget.

When planning a trip, it is important to understand that Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) in the USA is not a standard passenger airport. It specialises in cargo transport, logistics, as well as technical maintenance and storage of aircraft. Regular commercial passenger flights are not operated from here.

In this regard, infrastructure for passengers is absent on the territory of VCV Airport, including cafes, restaurants, beverage outlets, and shops. There are no familiar departure or arrival zones with food service points, so finding a place for a snack or a full meal directly at the airport will not be possible.

The nearest establishments where you can eat are located in the city of Victorville, which is a few kilometres from the airport. In Victorville, you will find a wide selection of cafes and restaurants to suit any taste — from well-known fast-food chains to establishments offering American and Mexican cuisine. To reach them, you will need a car or taxi.

When planning a journey, it is important to consider the specifics of each airport. Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) in the city of Victorville is a unique facility that does not serve regular commercial passenger flights. Its main specialisation is logistics, technical maintenance, repair, and long-term storage of aircraft. For this reason, standard tips for tourists flying on ordinary flights are not applicable here.

At VCV, there are no passenger terminals familiar to travellers with check-in zones, standard security control for mass flows of people, Duty-Free shops, or waiting lounges at boarding gates. Procedures related to arriving 2-3 hours before departure, online check-in, or rules for carrying liquids in hand luggage are not relevant to the activities of this airport.

However, tips may be useful for those visiting the airport for other purposes:

• For Business Partners: If you are arriving at VCV for work, ensure you contact the receiving party in advance. Clarify the exact meeting place, the procedure for obtaining passes, and security rules at the facility, as access to the territory is strictly controlled.
• For Aviation Enthusiasts: VCV is known as an "aircraft boneyard" and attracts spotters. Before visiting, study information about the availability of official viewing areas outside the perimeter. Remember that unauthorised entry onto the airport territory is strictly prohibited.
• For Private Flight Passengers: Service for private and business aviation is carried out through specialised terminals (FBO). All instructions regarding arrival time, parking, and completing formalities will be provided to you by your flight operator.

Thus, if you are a regular tourist planning a flight across the USA, you should look for flights from the nearest passenger airports, such as Ontario International Airport (ONT), Palm Springs (PSP), or Los Angeles airports (LAX).