Boca Raton's Airport: Does It Exist?

does boca raton have an airport

Boca Raton, Florida, is conveniently located between two major airports: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Palm Beach International Airport. Both airports are 26 miles away from the city centre. Boca Raton also has its own airport, which is publicly owned and used for private jets and planes. It is located two miles northwest of the city's central business district and offers a customs facility.

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Boca Raton Airport: history and facilities

History

Boca Raton Airport, a state-owned public-use airport, was established in 1936 and is located two miles (3 km) northwest of the central business district of Boca Raton, Florida. In 1941, the airport, then known as Boca Raton Army Airfield, was selected to house a military airfield due to its geographic and practical advantages. These included its mild climate, flat terrain, and location adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, making it ideal for flight training.

During World War II, the airfield played a significant role in the expansion of the US Air Force, then known as the U.S. Army Air Forces. In 1959, a portion of the airfield was turned over to the City of Boca Raton and became the Boca Raton Airport, with the remaining land becoming the campus of Florida Atlantic University. The airport's first control tower, named after Philip Modder, opened in 2000. Today, the airport serves the recreational, corporate, and flight training needs of the community, averaging over 83,000 operations annually.

Facilities

Boca Raton Airport covers an area of 214 acres (87 hectares) and has one asphalt-paved runway designated 5/23, measuring 6,276 x 150 feet (1,913 x 46 meters). The airport has a control tower, two full-service fixed-base operators (Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation), 125 T-Hangars, and an FAA Contract Tower. It is conveniently located near business centers, entertainment, dining, and luxury shopping options. The airport also features a customs facility, an on-site hotel, and restaurants.

The Burton D. Morgan School of Aeronautic of Lynn University is located at the airport, providing educational opportunities in aviation. Boca Raton High School students also have the opportunity to tour the airport and learn about various career paths in aviation beyond piloting and mechanics.

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Boca Raton Airport: customs and border control

The Boca Raton Airport is a state-owned public-use airport located two miles northwest of the central business district of Boca Raton, Florida. The airport is open to the public and is governed by a seven-member Authority appointed by the City of Boca Raton and Palm Beach County Commission.

The airport offers a customs facility that welcomes travellers from all over the world, putting them just minutes away from business centres, entertainment, dining, and luxury shopping. The 4,400-square-foot Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility opened in May 2018, allowing international flights to fly directly into the Boca Raton Airport.

Customs and Border Control Procedures

The Customs and Border Protection facility is available for clearing Thursday through Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. After-hour clearings can be requested by calling 561-665-5842, and an additional fee of $280 applies.

Procedures for Pilots

When flying into the Boca Raton Airport from an international destination, pilots should taxi up to the Customs and Border Protection Facility, located between Taxiways P7 and P8. The Boca Raton Airport is a User Fee Airport, and the fee must be paid at the payment kiosk in the airside waiting area before clearing customs. After paying the user fee, pilots should proceed to the Customs and Border Protection processing area to complete the clearing process.

Procedures for Boaters

Boaters using the Boca Raton Airport to clear customs should enter the facility through the landside lobby and pay the user fee at the payment kiosk in the lobby before clearing customs. After paying the user fee, they should proceed to the Customs and Border Protection processing window. To become a registered boater, boaters can use the CBP ROAM (Reporting Offsite Arrival-Mobile) app.

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Boca Raton Airport: accidents and incidents

Boca Raton Airport is a state-owned public-use airport located two miles (3 km) northwest of the central business district of Boca Raton, a city in Palm Beach County, Florida. The airport is adjacent to Florida Atlantic University and Interstate 95. Boca Raton Airport serves the recreational, corporate, and flight training needs of the community, averaging over 80,000 operations annually.

The airport covers an area of 214 acres (87 ha) and has one asphalt-paved runway. The airport has a control tower which is staffed from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. There are two full-service fixed-base operators, Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation. The Burton D. Morgan School of Aeronautic of Lynn University is located at the airport.

On 24 December 2021, a Cessna 310 with five people on board crashed on the runway after its nose gear failed to descend. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

On 8 August 1956, a Sky Spray Fairchild C-82 Packet returning from a spraying mission experienced smoke and a loss of power from its engines on final approach to the then Boca Raton Air Force Auxiliary Field. The aircraft lost control in a banking manoeuvre and crashed, killing all five occupants.

On 23 June 2000, a Universal Jet Aviation Learjet 55 on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) climb from Boca Raton Airport collided at an altitude of 2,400 feet, 2.8 miles southwest of Boca Raton, with an Extra EA-300S that had taken off from Pompano Beach Airpark. Both aircraft crashed, killing all four occupants.

In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma caused more than $12 million worth of damage to hangars at Boca Raton Airport.

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Boca Raton Airport: location and transport

The Boca Raton Airport is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and is conveniently situated between two major airports: Palm Beach County International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport. With its two full-service FBOs, 125 T-Hangars, an FAA Contract Tower, and a convenient Boca Raton location, the airport offers a pleasurable flying experience for pilots.

Airport Facilities

The airport boasts a customs facility, accommodating travellers from across the globe, and placing them just minutes away from business centres, entertainment, fine dining, and luxury shopping malls. Boca Raton Airport also features an on-site hotel and restaurants, making it an attractive destination for travellers.

Transportation Services

Boca Raton Airport offers a range of transportation services to and from the airport, ensuring safe and convenient travel for its passengers. Airport transportation specialists provide executive sedan and town car services, catering to individual and group travel needs. These services extend beyond airport transfers, accommodating special events such as weddings, city attractions, and corporate gatherings.

Additionally, Boca Raton is served by numerous airport shuttle and car service companies, including Elite Shuttle & Limo Transportation, Larry's Private Car & Limo Service, and Boca Drive Airport Shuttle & Car Service, to name a few. These companies offer a variety of vehicle options, from sedans to limousines and party buses, ensuring comfortable and stylish transportation for their clients.

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Boca Raton Airport: nearby airports

The City of Boca Raton is conveniently located near several airports, including a local airport of its own. Firstly, the Boca Raton Airport (BCT) is located just 2.2 miles from the city centre. This airport serves the recreational, corporate, and flight training needs of the community, and offers a customs facility. It is also home to the Burton D. Morgan School of Aeronautic of Lynn University.

In addition to Boca Raton Airport, the city is also situated between two major airports: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is approximately 20-26 miles from Boca Raton and serves 35.9 million passengers across South Florida. It offers international and domestic flights. Palm Beach International Airport is 22-26 miles from Boca Raton and offers over 200 daily non-stop arrivals and departures to destinations in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean.

There are also several other nearby airports, including Miami International Airport (41-53 miles away) and Freeport's Grand Bahama International Airport (86.8-90 miles away).

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Boca Raton has an airport. It is a state-owned public-use airport located two miles northwest of the central business district of Boca Raton, a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States.

Boca Raton Airport covers an area of 214 acres and has one asphalt-paved runway. The airport has a control tower which is staffed from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. There are two full-service fixed-base operators, Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation. The airport serves the recreational, corporate, and flight training needs of the community, averaging over 80,000 operations annually.

The City of Boca Raton is conveniently located between two major airports: Palm Beach County International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

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