Roberta Aguirre
Ocala International Airport (IATA: OCF, ICAO: KOCF, FAA LID: OCF) is located five miles west of Ocala, in Marion County, Florida, United States. Despite its name, commercial airlines do not fly to Ocala International Airport. The last airline flight left Ocala in 1987, and scheduled passenger airline service is unlikely to return. However, the airport still offers flights through general aviation and air taxi services, with 58,465 aircraft operations in the year ending October 31, 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commercial airline availability | No commercial airlines fly to Ocala International Airport |
| Last commercial airline service | USAir Express in 1987 |
| Nearest airport with commercial flights | Gainesville Regional Airport, 31 miles north of Ocala International Airport |
| Airport code | OCF |
| Runway length | 5,000 feet |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The last airline flight left Ocala in 1987
- Ocala International Airport covers 1,532 acres
- The airport had 58,465 aircraft operations in the year ending October 31, 2022
- Commercial airlines do not fly to Ocala International Airport
- The closest airport with commercial flights is Gainesville Regional Airport, 31 miles away
The last airline flight left Ocala in 1987
Ocala International Airport, also known as Ocala International Airport-Jim Taylor Field, is located five miles west of Ocala in Marion County, Florida. Despite its name, no commercial airlines currently fly to or from Ocala International Airport. The last airline flight departed from Ocala in 1987 when USAir Express pulled out, bringing an end to over four decades of scheduled air service at the airport.
Ocala's aviation history dates back to the early 1960s when the airport opened, replacing the previous Taylor Field. Initially, Eastern Airlines operated a Convair 440 flight daily, connecting Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, Vero Beach, and Miami. Eastern Airlines later introduced the Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop service, with the last Electra flight departing Ocala in 1972. Over the years, various airlines have served Ocala, including South Central Airlines, Florida Airways, Air Florida, and Shawnee Airlines. However, by the 1980s, passenger traffic had declined significantly, and airlines began to abandon smaller stops like Ocala in favour of regional hubs.
In the years following the departure of USAir Express, the airport underwent significant upgrades, including extending the main runway to 6,900 feet, adding a 3,000-foot crosswind runway, and constructing an air traffic control tower. Despite these improvements, scheduled passenger airline service has not returned to Ocala. While the airport still maintains the necessary certifications and facilities to host passenger aircraft, the return of commercial flights does not appear to be a priority for the city or the airlines.
The airport continues to see a significant amount of general aviation traffic, with a high volume of aircraft operations each year. The city of Ocala and Marion County are focused on ensuring the airport's compatibility with the surrounding environment and maintaining positive communication with airport users. While there are ongoing discussions with two unnamed airlines, the return of passenger flights to Ocala remains uncertain and is not currently on the radar.
Despite the lack of commercial airline service, Ocala International Airport remains an important component of the city's economic growth, catering to a large volume of business traffic. The airport covers 1,532 acres at an elevation of 90 feet and features two asphalt runways, accommodating a wide range of aircraft operations.
Renting a Car at Budget Airport Rental: Is it Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ocala International Airport covers 1,532 acres
Ocala International Airport, also known as Ocala International Airport-Jim Taylor Field, is located about five miles west of Ocala in Marion County, Florida. Covering 1,532 acres of land, the airport has a rich history dating back to the early contributions of Jim Taylor in 1927, when he donated the land for aviation development. The airport opened in the early 1960s, replacing the previous Taylor Field just southwest of Ocala.
The airport has undergone several expansions and upgrades over the years. In 1994, it acquired approximately 400 additional acres, bringing the total area to 1,532 acres. This expansion paved the way for future aviation development and improvements to meet federal regulations. Today, the airport features two asphalt runways: runway 18/36, measuring 7,467 by 150 feet, and runway 8/26, measuring 3,009 by 50 feet.
The airport's elevation sits at 90 feet, and it is equipped with an air traffic control tower that became operational in 2009. The tower operates under the FAA's contract tower programme as an FAA Level I facility. Ocala International Airport also has a terminal building, hangar units, and parking facilities. The existing terminal building, constructed in the 1960s, offers essential amenities such as rental car providers, administrative offices, and restrooms.
However, to accommodate growing demands, a new terminal building was proposed, with construction jointly funded by the City of Ocala and the FDOT. This new terminal, completed in the spring of 2020, spans 20,000 square feet, offering various amenities, including air carrier and fixed-base operator (FBO) services, administrative offices, rental car services, and a restaurant.
Ocala International Airport serves general aviation, corporate aviation, and the air cargo industry. It also accommodates flight training activities and has a vision to expand its role in that capacity. While the airport once had commercial airline service, the last airline flight departed in 1987, and commercial airlines do not currently serve the airport.
London Layovers: Indian Citizens' Transit Rights
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport had 58,465 aircraft operations in the year ending October 31, 2022
Ocala International Airport is located five miles west of Ocala, in Marion County, Florida. Despite its name, no commercial airlines fly to Ocala International Airport. The last airline flight departed Ocala in 1987, and it is unlikely that scheduled passenger airline services will return. The airport is utilised by private pilots, with a high volume of general aviation operations. In the year ending October 31, 2022, the airport recorded 58,465 aircraft operations, averaging 160 per day. This included a range of general aviation, air taxi, and military flights.
The airport covers 1,532 acres and sits at an elevation of 90 feet. It features two asphalt runways: runway 18/36, which is 7,467 feet by 150 feet, and runway 8/26, which is 3,009 feet by 50 feet. The airport has undergone several upgrades and expansions over the years, including the addition of a crosswind runway and extensions to the main runway.
Ocala International Airport, previously known as Ocala Regional Airport or Jim Taylor Field, opened in the early 1960s. Initially, Eastern Airlines operated a Convair 440 flight daily, serving the route from Jacksonville to Miami, with a stop in Ocala. Eastern Airlines later introduced the Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop service, with the last flight departing Ocala in 1972.
Following the departure of Eastern Airlines, other airlines offered scheduled passenger services from Ocala, including Air Florida, which operated jet services to various destinations in Florida. Additionally, USAir Express, operated by Allegheny Commuter, provided Beechcraft turboprop flights to Orlando. Skyway Commuter also served Ocala with Beechcraft turboprops and Piper prop services to Gainesville and Orlando.
While commercial flights are not available from Ocala International Airport, nearby Gainesville Regional Airport, located approximately 31 miles south, offers commercial airline services.
Pringles and Airport Security: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Commercial airlines do not fly to Ocala International Airport
Despite its name, Ocala International Airport does not accommodate commercial airlines. The last airline flight departed from Ocala in 1987, and it is unlikely that scheduled passenger airline services will return.
Ocala International Airport is located in Marion County, Florida, around 31 miles south of Gainesville Regional Airport. The airport opened in the early 1960s, initially offering a single daily Convair 440 flight operated by Eastern Airlines. This flight served the route Jacksonville-Gainesville-Ocala-Vero Beach-Miami. Eastern Airlines later transitioned to using the Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop, with the last Electra flight departing Ocala in 1972.
Following the cessation of commercial airline services, the airport underwent expansions and improvements. These included the addition of a crosswind runway, an extension of the main runway, an instrument landing approach, and the construction of an air traffic control tower. While these enhancements have upgraded the airport's capabilities, they have not attracted the resumption of commercial airline operations.
Although commercial airlines do not serve Ocala International Airport, it still facilitates various types of aviation. According to data for the year ending October 31, 2022, the airport accommodated 58,465 aircraft operations, averaging 160 per day. The majority of these operations, 95%, fell under general aviation, while air taxi and military flights accounted for 3% and 1%, respectively.
For individuals seeking commercial airline services, nearby alternatives include Gainesville Regional Airport and other larger airports in the region. These airports are likely to have a broader network of destinations and more frequent flight options.
Airport Security: Ice Packs, Allowed or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The closest airport with commercial flights is Gainesville Regional Airport, 31 miles away
Ocala International Airport is located five miles west of Ocala, in Marion County, Florida. Despite its name, no commercial airlines fly to or from Ocala International Airport. The last airline flight left Ocala in 1987, and it is unlikely that scheduled passenger airline services will return.
The closest airport offering commercial flights is Gainesville Regional Airport, which is located 31 miles away from Ocala International Airport. This airport is served by Eastern Airlines, which operates a Convair 440 flight with a routing of Jacksonville (JAX) - Gainesville (GNV) - Ocala (OCF) - Vero Beach (VRB) - Miami (MIA) and return.
If you are looking for commercial flights from Ocala, your best option is to travel to Gainesville Regional Airport. This airport offers flights to various destinations, and you can use online tools such as Travelocity to find discount airfare and browse flights from different airlines.
When planning your trip, it is important to familiarize yourself with the check-in requirements, baggage policies, and recommended arrival times for your flight. For domestic flights, it is recommended to arrive at the airport two hours in advance, while for international flights, arriving three hours early is advised.
Airport Security: Pacemaker Safety Precautions and Protocols
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, despite its name, commercial airlines do not fly to Ocala International Airport. The last airline flight left Ocala in 1987.
You can check for flights from nearby cities and their airports.
Before leaving your house, make sure you have everything you need, including flight and hotel itineraries. Check your OCF flight status online and arrive at the airport early. Most airlines recommend arriving two hours early for a domestic flight and three hours early for an international flight.
