Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) is the oldest operating airport in the Los Angeles, California area, with a history stretching back to the early 1920s. The airport was started by a group of investors who wanted to build a private airport, and when construction was completed in 1922, it became the first airport in the Los Angeles area.

The airport was originally known as Clover Field, in honor of World War I aviator Greayer Clover, who had died in combat in 1918. This name was chosen both as a tribute to Clover, and also as a reference to the clover-covered fields that surrounded the airport. The airport was initially used for private aircraft and for sightseeing flights, but it soon expanded to include commercial and military operations.

By the late 1950s, the airport had outgrown its original facilities and plans were made to expand the airport. This expansion included the construction of a new terminal and runways, as well as the acquisition of additional property to make room for more aircraft. In 1959, the airport was renamed Santa Monica Municipal Airport, and the three-letter code SMO was assigned to it to identify it in the aviation system.

Today, Santa Monica Municipal Airport serves a variety of purposes, including commercial, private, and military operations. It is home to a number of airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and JetBlue. The airport has dozens of flights each day, and is a popular destination for both business and leisure travelers.

The airport's three-letter code, SMO, was assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 1959. The code is derived from the airport's name, Santa Monica Municipal Airport, and is used to identify the airport in the aviation system.

Santa Monica Municipal Airport has a long and rich history, and continues to serve the Los Angeles area with a variety of aviation services. It is home to dozens of flights each day, and is served by a number of airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and JetBlue. The airport's three-letter code, SMO, was assigned by the International Air Transport Association in 1959, and has since become an integral part of the airport's identity.