Gainesville, Florida: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Gainesville, Florida, has its own airport, the Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), which is located three miles northeast of the city. The airport is small, with only one option for food, and flights are more expensive than from nearby Orlando International Airport. However, its convenient location means that travellers will not have to travel as far to their destination after a long flight.

Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV)

Gainesville Regional Airport (IATA: GNV, ICAO: KGNV, FAA LID: GNV) is a public airport located three miles northeast of Gainesville, in Alachua County, Florida, United States. The airport is owned by Gainesville-Alachua Co. Auth. and is classified as a primary commercial service airport, with more than 10,000 enplanements per year.

History

The construction of Gainesville Regional Airport began in April 1940 as a Works Project Administration project. The initial construction was completed in 1941, and the facility was known as the Alachua Army Airfield, used by the Army Air Corps and the Army Air Forces. In September 1945, the airfield was declared surplus and turned over to the Army Corps of Engineers. A year later, in 1946, the War Assets Administration deeded the facility to the city of Gainesville as a civil airport. The airport was renamed the Gainesville Regional Airport in October 1977 and the terminal was dedicated to John R. Alison in 1979.

Facilities and Services

Gainesville Regional Airport has two asphalt runways: 11/29, which is 7,504 feet by 150 feet, and 07/25, which is 4,158 feet by 100 feet. The airport covers 1,650 acres and has a control tower that operates from 6:45 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. The airport has a full-service FBO, University Air Center, which offers a pilots lounge, snack machines, aircraft rentals and charters, flight instruction, and fuel. The terminal has five gates, with three used by American Eagle and two by Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection. The airport also has a snack bar and a gift shop, operated by Tailwind, which is the only food option available.

Airlines and Destinations

Gainesville Regional Airport is served by American Eagle and Delta Air Lines, offering nonstop service to Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Miami. The airport has seen an increase in large jets and has improved parking efficiency with more lanes available for exiting.

Transportation and Parking

The airport provides ground transportation options, including taxis, rental car companies, and hotel shuttle buses. Additionally, the Regional Transit Services (RTS) bus system serves the airport with routes #25, #26, and #39. A new 418-space parking garage is expected to be completed in early 2025, addressing the current parking capacity issues.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

The airport is vast, covering 11,605 acres, making it one of the largest commercial airports in the US in terms of land area. It has four runways and three terminals, with a total of 93 gates. Terminal A and B are connected to Terminal C by the Terminal Link, an automated people mover. Terminal C, also known as the South Terminal Complex, has 20 gates and handles international flights by non-US airlines and all JetBlue flights. The airport also features an on-site Hyatt Regency hotel within the main terminal structure, providing convenience for travellers.

Orlando International Airport offers a wide range of amenities and facilities for travellers. It is served by 44 airlines, providing flights to 135 domestic and international destinations. The airport has over 130 stores and restaurants, ensuring that travellers have plenty of options for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Additionally, there are various parking options available, including different rates depending on the duration of parking. For those without cars, the airport provides free shuttles to hotels, local bus services, and taxi options.

When compared to Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), Orlando International Airport offers certain advantages and disadvantages. While it is significantly farther from Gainesville, about a two-hour drive, Orlando International Airport makes up for this with its lower ticket prices, increased flight frequency, and abundance of amenities. The larger size of the airport also contributes to cheaper tickets and more airline choices, with 38 different airlines serving travellers.

Airport history

Gainesville, Florida, has an airport: the Gainesville Regional Airport (IATA: GNV, ICAO: KGNV, FAA LID: GNV). The airport is located three miles northeast of Gainesville, in Alachua County, and is owned by Gainesville-Alachua Co. Auth.

History

The airport's initial construction began in April 1940 as a Works Project Administration project. In 1941, the Works Progress Administration completed the airport's initial construction. Upon conclusion, the facility was known as the Alachua Army Airfield and was used by the Army Air Corps and the Army Air Forces.

On March 2, 1942, the City Council named the airfield the John R. Alison Airport. John R. Alison was a local citizen, a graduate of the University of Florida, and a decorated pilot who served in World War II. He was selected to serve as an observer in England and later served in Russia, training Russian flyers. He received honours from both countries for his service and abilities as a pilot. He also served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics under President Truman.

The airfield was declared surplus in September 1945 and turned over to the Army Corps of Engineers on October 1, 1946. The War Assets Administration deeded the facility to the city of Gainesville in 1948 as a civil airport. At this time, the field was known as both the John R. Alison Airport and the Gainesville Municipal Airport. The city operated, maintained, and improved the airport over the years.

In October 1977, the airport was renamed the Gainesville Regional Airport to recognise the role it played in meeting regional aviation service demands. The airline passenger terminal was dedicated to John R. Alison in 1979.

In 1986, the State Legislature passed a bill that established the Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority, which continues to oversee the airport to date. The Airport Authority consists of nine board members, five selected by the City of Gainesville, three by the Governor, and one by Alachua County.

In 2021, the Gainesville Regional Airport added a 15,200 square-foot expansion to its terminal, including a mother lactation room, a pet relief area, two new gates, and hundreds of new seats with charging ports. The project cost $16 million, funded by a $12 million grant from the FAA.

Airlines and destinations

Gainesville, Florida, is served by two airports: Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). The former is located just three miles northeast of the city, while the latter is a full two hours away by road.

Gainesville Regional Airport

GNV is a primary commercial service airport, with more than 10,000 enplanements per year. In 2019, the airport served 558,246 passengers.

The airport has five gates, with three (gates 3, 4, and 5) used by American Eagle, and two (gates 1 and 2) used by Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection.

Airlines that operate from Gainesville Regional Airport include:

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Eastern Airlines (from the 1950s until the company's bankruptcy in 1991)
• Air Florida (in the late 1970s and early 1980s)
• Silver Airways (returned to the airport in 2023)

Destinations served by the airport include:

• Atlanta
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
• Miami
• LaGuardia
• Liberty
• John F. Kennedy International
• Harry Reid International
• Logan International

Orlando International Airport

MCO is located two hours from Gainesville, with a hotel within the airport for those who don't want to make the journey back to the city after a late flight.

The airport serves travellers with 38 different airlines, including:

• Spirit Airlines
• Frontier Airlines

Destinations served by the airport include:

• Philadelphia International
• Jacksonville International
• Cincinnati
• Punta Gorda
• San Antonio

Airport amenities

Gainesville Regional Airport (IATA: GNV, ICAO: KGNV, FAA LID: GNV) is located three miles northeast of Gainesville, in Alachua County, Florida. The airport is open from 3:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and offers a range of amenities for travellers.

For food, there is Tailwind Gainesville, which offers a full-service restaurant and bar, as well as a gift shop. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch options, including burgers, wraps, and sandwiches. It is open from 4:30 a.m. until the last scheduled departure, and vending machines are available for late arrivals.

The airport provides free WiFi, and mobile charging ports are available at boarding Gates 1 and 2. There is also an ATM in the baggage claim area, a mailbox near the car rental lot, and a prayer room at Gate 1. A nursing room is available for new mothers.

For transportation, the airport is served by RTS bus routes 25, 25A, 26, and 39. Car rental agencies such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz are also available on-site. Additionally, authorised airport taxis can be found in the ground transportation area, with rates starting at $2.50.

The airport does not have any dedicated hotels, luggage storage, or private lounges. However, there are nearby hotels that offer airport shuttle services, such as Best Western Gateway Grand.

Frequently asked questions