Gainsville, Florida: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Gainesville, Florida, is served by Gainesville Regional Airport, a public airport located three miles northeast of the city in Alachua County. The airport is also known by its IATA code, GNV, and categorised as a primary commercial service airport. Gainesville Regional Airport offers domestic flights to various destinations across the United States, including Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Miami. The airport features several amenities, including food and beverage options, a gift shop, and ground transportation services such as taxis, rental cars, and hotel shuttle buses.

Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV)

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

Gainesville Regional Airport is classified as a primary commercial service airport, serving more than 10,000 enplanements annually. The airport has consistently seen a high volume of passenger traffic, with 159,499 enplanements in 2010, 177,282 in 2011, and 217,355 in 2015. In the year 2019, the airport accommodated 558,246 passengers.

The airport's history dates back to the 1940s when it was initially constructed as a Works Project Administration project. The facility, known as the Alachua Army Airfield, served the Army Air Corps and the Army Air Forces. In 1948, the airfield was transferred to the city of Gainesville for civil aviation purposes and was renamed the Gainesville Municipal Airport. Over the years, the airport has undergone significant developments, including terminal expansions and renovations, the addition of new gates, and enhanced facilities.

Gainesville Regional Airport offers flights to various destinations, including Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale. The airport is served by airlines such as American Eagle and Delta Air Lines, providing convenient connections to different parts of the country. The airport also hosts the annual Gator Fly In, featuring military aircraft displays, classic car shows, food trucks, live music, and aircraft rides.

The airport covers an area of 1,650 acres and features two asphalt runways. In the year ending September 30, 2022, the airport recorded 68,032 aircraft operations, averaging 186 operations per day. Gainesville Regional Airport provides essential amenities and services for travellers, including a snack bar, a gift shop, ground transportation options, and a full-service FBO, University Air Center.

Airport history and ownership

Gainesville Regional Airport, a public airport, is situated three miles northeast of Gainesville, in Alachua County, Florida. The airport is owned by Gainesville-Alachua Co. Auth.

The airport's construction 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, serving the Army Air Corps and the Army Air Forces.

On March 2, 1942, the City Council named the airfield John R. Alison Airport, after a local citizen and University of Florida graduate who served in World War II. The airport was deeded to the city of Gainesville in 1948 and was also known as the Gainesville Municipal Airport. The city operated and maintained the airport, making improvements over the years.

In 1986, the State Legislature passed a bill establishing the airport as the Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority. The Airport Authority, consisting of nine board members, continues to oversee the airport. Five members are selected by the City of Gainesville, three by the Governor, and one by Alachua County.

The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions, including the addition of new gates, improved baggage screening areas, and enhanced passenger amenities. In 2021, a 15,200-square-foot expansion added a mother lactation room, a pet relief area, new gates, charging ports, and additional seating. The project was funded by a $12 million grant from the FAA, with the total cost amounting to $16 million.

Airlines and destinations

Gainesville Regional Airport (IATA: GNV, ICAO: KGNV, FAA LID: GNV) is located in Alachua County, Florida, and is owned by Gainesville-Alachua Co. Auth. The airport offers nonstop services to Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Miami.

The airport has two asphalt runways and five gates, with three being used by American Eagle and the remaining two by Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Silver Airways are the major airlines operating at Gainesville Regional Airport. American Airlines offers flights to New York's LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airport, as well as Liberty International Airport. Delta Air Lines provides flights to New York's LaGuardia and Liberty International Airport. Silver Airways, which returned to Gainesville in 2023, offers flights to Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport.

In addition to these major airlines, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines also serve Gainesville, offering flights to Jacksonville and Orlando, respectively.

Transport to and from the airport

Gainesville Regional Airport is located three miles northeast of Gainesville, Florida. The airport covers 1,650 acres and has two asphalt runways. It is owned by Gainesville-Alachua Co. Auth. and was initially constructed in 1940 as a Works Project Administration project.

There are several transport options for getting to and from the airport. If you don't want to deal with parking, you can have a friend or family member drop you off at the airport and use the short-term parking. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or a rental car to the airport. The Regional Transit Services (RTS) bus also serves the airport with two different routes (#25 and #39). If you are staying in a hotel, some hotels provide shuttle services to and from the airport, including Best Western Gateway Grand, Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, and Holiday Inn University Center.

For those driving themselves to the airport, Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) offers long-term parking that is safe and secure for your vehicle. The airport has improved parking efficiency due to an increase in large jets, with more lanes available for exiting and self-pay options to reduce the time taken for each person.

When departing from the airport, it is recommended to arrive at least two hours before your scheduled departure time to adjust to any contingencies.

Amenities and services

Gainesville Regional Airport, located three miles northeast of Gainesville, Florida, offers a range of amenities and services for travellers. The airport features a main terminal that operates from 4 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily and provides services such as mobile boarding passes, self-service check-in, and TDD assistance.

For dining options, the airport has a snack bar and a full-service restaurant, Tailwind Gainesville, which travellers can access before or after passing through security. The airport also offers free Wi-Fi, allowing passengers to stay connected and entertained during their wait.

Ground transportation at the airport includes taxi services, rental car companies, and hotel shuttle buses. Additionally, the Regional Transit Services (RTS) bus system serves the airport with two routes (#25 and #39) for convenient travel to and from the airport.

Gainesville Regional Airport also provides accessibility services and parking options. A new 418-space parking garage is planned for completion in early 2025, addressing the occasional overflow parking issues. The airport recommends that passengers arrive at least two hours before their scheduled departure to accommodate any parking or travel contingencies.

The airport hosts the annual Gator Fly-In event, featuring military aircraft displays, a classic car show, food trucks, live music, and aircraft rides, providing entertainment and attractions for visitors and aviation enthusiasts.

Frequently asked questions