Florida Keys Airport: Does It Exist?

The Florida Keys are a 110-mile string of islands stretching south and west of Homestead, Florida, near Miami. There are two airports in the Florida Keys: Florida Keys Marathon International Airport and Key West International Airport. The former is located in the centre of the Keys and is a general aviation facility, while the latter is the westernmost airport in the Keys and provides air carrier services.

Airports in the Florida Keys

There are two airports in the Florida Keys: Florida Keys Marathon International Airport and Key West International Airport. The former is located in the centre of the Keys, while the latter is at the westernmost point.

Florida Keys Marathon International Airport

Florida Keys Marathon International Airport is a general aviation facility that provides aeronautical, emergency, business, and ground transportation services to the Middle Keys community. It is a self-supporting enterprise that operates using money generated by rates and charges levied on tenants and users. The airport has a 5,000-foot runway, allowing private aircraft of various sizes to take off and land. The airport offers customs services Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5:30 pm. It is located in the city of Marathon, in the Middle Keys, and is about an hour's drive from both Key West and Key Largo.

Key West International Airport

Key West International Airport is the only airport in the Florida Keys with commercial air service. It provides air carrier service for the Keys, serving approximately 870,000 passengers in 2018 on flights from Delta, American, United, and Silver. The airport offers direct flights to several cities, including Atlanta, Newark, Chicago, and Miami. It also has a 5,000-foot runway capable of accommodating large aircraft, such as a Boeing 737. The airport offers U.S. Customs services for travellers returning or visiting from international locations, such as the Bahamas or other Caribbean islands. Customs are open seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm. Key West International Airport is located at the westernmost point of the Florida Keys, in the city of Key West.

Transport options from the airport

There are two airports in the Florida Keys: Key West International Airport and Florida Keys Marathon International Airport.

Key West International Airport

This airport is located at the westernmost point of the Florida Keys. It has a 5,000-foot runway that can accommodate aircraft as large as a Boeing 737. The airport offers U.S. Customs services for international travellers, which is open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm.

Key West International Airport provides a range of ground transportation options, including:

• Local shuttle buses
• Rental cars
• Taxis
• Key West Transit buses

Florida Keys Marathon International Airport

This airport is located in the centre of the Florida Keys. It is a general aviation facility with a 5,000-foot runway that accommodates private aircraft of various sizes. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is available at specific times and by appointment.

Florida Keys Marathon International Airport also offers ground transportation options, including:

• Free parking
• Rental cars
• Taxis
• Shuttle buses
• Bus services, such as Greyhound

History of the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport

The Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (IATA: MTH, ICAO: KMTH, FAA LID: MTH) is a public airport located in Monroe County, Florida. The airport is situated along the Overseas Highway (US1) in Marathon, covering 197 acres (80 hectares) and featuring a single runway. The history of this airport can be traced back to the early days of World War II. Here is a detailed account of its evolution over the years:

The Early Years:

The construction of the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport began in the fall of 1942 and was completed in the spring of 1943. The airport was built by the U.S. Navy as an auxiliary airfield for the Naval Air Station Key West, playing a role in the Navy's flight programs during World War II. It served as a Navy Outlying Field (OLF) and was used by the Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command, 26th Antisubmarine Wing.

Post-World War II:

At the conclusion of World War II, the Marathon Airport was deactivated as a military facility and transferred to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. From then on, it operated as a civilian airport, primarily serving general aviation. However, it also offered scheduled passenger airline services for over 25 years, including regional jet services for a brief period in 2007.

Commercial Airline Services:

National Airlines (1934-1980) marked a significant milestone by operating flights between Miami and Key West, with a flag stop in Marathon. This was the first time a major U.S. airline directly served the airport. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, American Air Taxi (AAT Airlines) provided limited passenger services using small Cessna twin-prop aircraft. Other airlines that served Marathon at various times include Southeast Airlines, Air Sunshine, Air Florida Commuter, Provincetown-Boston Airlines (PBA), Air Miami, North American Airlines, Air South, Airways International, and many more.

Customs and Border Patrol Facility:

On April 20, 2016, the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport introduced U.S. Customs and Immigration services for the first time in nearly three decades. This addition included a new 4,200-square-foot permanent Customs and Border Patrol facility located in the former commercial terminal.

Current Status:

Today, the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport continues to operate as a public airport, catering to charter air services and general aviation. It no longer has any scheduled passenger airline flights. The airport provides free parking and easy access to various car rental, taxi, and bus services for travellers.

Airlines that fly to the Florida Keys

There are two airports in the Florida Keys: Florida Keys Marathon International Airport and Key West International Airport.

Airlines that fly to Florida Keys Marathon International Airport

• Seacoast Airlines
• AirStar Executive Airways

Airlines that fly to Key West International Airport

• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Silver Airways
• United Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Allegiant Air
• Seacoast Airlines
• AIR KEY WEST
• Comair
• US Air
• Gulfstream
• Cape Air
• America Air
• Air Flight Charters
• Caribbean Air Service, Inc.
• Silver Airways
• Spirit Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• GOL & Qatar Airways
• United Airlines
• Delta
• JetBlue
• Allegiant Air

Transport options to the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are accessible by air, road, and sea. Here is a rundown of the transport options available.

Air

The Florida Keys have two airports: Florida Keys Marathon International Airport and Key West International Airport. Florida Keys Marathon International is a private airport with no scheduled commercial flights. Key West International, on the other hand, can accommodate larger aircraft, including a Boeing 737, and offers U.S. Customs for international travellers.

Road

The Florida Keys can be reached via the Overseas Highway, a 130-mile scenic drive from mainland Florida. Speed limits are strictly enforced, especially in the Big Pine Key area, which is a Key Deer Refuge.

Ferry

There is a short ferry ride available from mainland Florida to the Florida Keys. The Sea Key West Express offers a ferry service to Key West from Ft. Myers and Marco Island.

Public Transport

The City of Key West Department of Transportation provides public transit services throughout Key West, Stock Island, the Lower Keys, and Marathon, Florida. The earliest route starts at 5:40 AM, and the last route is at 10:00 PM. The fleet consists of 20 handicap-accessible buses that can accommodate 24 or 32 passengers.

Taxi

Taxis are also available in Key West, with a typical arrival time of around 10 minutes.

Shuttle

The Keys Shuttle offers transportation services connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Key West Airports, as well as stops throughout the Florida Keys.

Bus

National Charter Bus Miami and Miami Charter Bus Company provide bus rentals to and from Miami Airport, Ft. Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, and other places in the Keys region. The Greyhound Keys Shuttle also offers three daily departures from Miami and Miami Airport to all areas in the Keys.

Bike and Motorbike

Bike and motorbike rentals are available in Key West, offering a safe and eco-friendly alternative to driving.

Frequently asked questions