Tampa's Two Airports: A Traveler's Guide To The City's Aviation Hubs

Tampa, Florida, is served by Tampa International Airport, which is located 8 miles from the city centre. Tampa International Airport is the larger of the two airports serving the Tampa Bay area, with St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport serving as the smaller airport. Tampa International Airport is also known by its IATA code, TPA, and ICAO code, KTPA.

Tampa International Airport

The airport has a rich history, dating back to the early days of commercial airline service. Tampa Bay was the birthplace of commercial airline service when aviator Tony Jannus flew the first scheduled commercial flight in the world using a heavier-than-air airplane on January 1, 1914. The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years to accommodate increasing traffic and additional airlines. It has also received recognition for its art installations, such as the 21-foot flamingo sculpture named "HOME," nicknamed "Phoebe," installed in the main terminal in 2022.

St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport

The history of St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport dates back to 1941 when construction of the airport began. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the airport was acquired by the United States Army Air Forces and used as a military flight training base during World War II. After the war, the property was returned to Pinellas County to operate as a civil airport. The airport was originally called Pinellas International Airport and was given the IATA designation PIE. In 1958, the name was changed to St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport as tourists were unfamiliar with the location of Pinellas County.

The airport has been served by several major U.S. airlines over the years, including Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, National Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and more. Today, the airport offers non-stop flights to over 60 destinations and is a focus city for Allegiant Air.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

The airport has recently expanded its services, with Allegiant Air announcing eight new direct routes to the following cities: Albany, New York; Elmira, New York; Greenville, South Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee; Lexington, Kentucky; Moline, Illinois; Omaha, Nebraska; and Roanoke, Virginia. These new routes bring the total number of nonstop destinations served by all airlines at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to 67.

The airport is also recognised for its safety, with one traveller commenting that they felt "completely safe" flying in and out of the airport during the COVID-19 restrictions. Another reviewer notes that while the airport is growing, it remains "super easy to get in and out of". Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is a popular choice for travellers, with some expressing a preference for flying directly to this airport rather than to Tampa.

Tampa's airport history

Tampa International Airport (IATA: TPA, ICAO: KTPA, FAA LID: TPA) is the only airport in Tampa, Florida. It is located six miles (9.7 km) west of Downtown Tampa, in Hillsborough County.

Tampa International Airport was known as Drew Field Municipal Airport until 1952. The airport was established in 1928 on a 160-acre plot of land named after its former owner, local developer John H. Drew. In 1935, the more popular Peter O. Knight Airport opened on Davis Islands near Downtown Tampa, where both Eastern and National Airlines operated until 1946.

During World War II, the United States Army Air Corps negotiated with the City of Tampa to use Drew Field in 1939, and in 1940, the city leased the airport to the U.S. government for 25 years. The airfield was used by the Third Air Force and renamed Drew Army Airfield. After the war, the Army vacated the facility and it was returned to the City of Tampa.

In 1946, Drew Field became Tampa's first international airport when National Airlines inaugurated international service to Havana, Cuba. Trans Canada Airlines also began international flights around this time, and the airport was renamed Tampa International Airport. The second terminal opened in 1952, but it soon became inadequate as more airlines began operating from Tampa in the late 1950s.

In the early 1960s, the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which owns the airport, began planning a replacement terminal. Construction on the new terminal began in 1968, and it opened for passenger traffic on April 15, 1971. The new terminal featured a revolutionary hub-and-spoke design by then-Airport Director George Bean, which earned worldwide praise for its efficiency and convenience. Over 50,000 people attended the two-day open house event before the official opening.

Tampa's airport compared to St Petersburg's

Tampa International Airport (IATA: TPA, ICAO: KTPA, FAA LID: TPA) is the only airport in Tampa, Florida. It is located 8 miles from the centre of Tampa and is 17 miles away from St. Petersburg, Florida. Tampa International Airport is a publicly owned airport that serves 100 non-stop destinations across the world. It is known for its colour-coded wayfinding signage system, which was the first of its kind when introduced. The airport covers an area of 3,300 acres at an elevation of 26 feet above mean sea level and has three runways.

St. Petersburg, on the other hand, has its own airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE/KPIE). This airport is located 10km north of St. Petersburg and is 17km away from Tampa International Airport. It is the smaller airport serving the Tampa Bay area. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is served by LCCs and regional airlines and is an important general aviation and training facility in Florida. The US Coast Guard has a key air station at the airport.

In terms of size, Tampa International Airport is much larger than St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. Tampa International Airport covers 3,300 acres of land, while the exact area of St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is not known. Tampa International Airport also has more destinations and flights available, as it serves 100 non-stop destinations, whereas St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is served only by LCCs and regional airlines.

When it comes to driving distance, St. Petersburg is about 25-40 minutes away from Tampa International Airport, depending on the destination in St. Petersburg and the time of day. On the other hand, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is only about a 25-30 minute drive from St. Petersburg.

Both airports have their own advantages. Tampa International Airport is larger and has more flight options, making it a better choice for those looking for a wider range of destinations. It is also closer to the centre of Tampa. Meanwhile, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is a smaller and easier airport to navigate, with cheaper parking options and is a better choice for those specifically travelling to St. Petersburg or nearby areas.

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