Kissimmee, Florida: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Kissimmee, Florida, is served by three conveniently located airports: Orlando International Airport (MCO), Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Each airport offers unique benefits and a smooth journey to and from Kissimmee. Kissimmee Gateway Airport, formerly Kissimmee Municipal Airport, is a public airport owned and operated by the City of Kissimmee. It is ideal for private jets and smaller aircraft and is located near popular destinations, providing a convenient entry point into the city.

Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM)

Kissimmee, Florida, is served by three conveniently located airports: Orlando International Airport (MCO), Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) is located near Hwy. 192 and I-4 and provides a convenient and accessible entry point into Kissimmee. The airport is ideal for private jets and smaller aircraft and is just a short drive from the area's top attractions and accommodations.

Kissimmee Gateway Airport covers an area of 892 acres (361 ha) and has two asphalt-paved runways. The airport does not offer scheduled passenger services, but it is a general aviation reliever airport to Orlando International Airport. It hosts a variety of general aviation aircraft operations, including a major facility for restoring classic military aircraft from World War II to flying condition. The airport has an operational control tower and a Category I instrument landing system (ILS) on its main runway.

The airport opened in April 1940 as Kissimmee Army Airfield, operated by the United States Army Air Forces. It was used as part of the Air University Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics (AAFSAT) tactical combat simulation school in Central and Northern Florida during World War II.

Today, Kissimmee Gateway Airport offers high-quality options for fuelling, storing, and caring for aircraft. The airport's convenient location and services make it a popular choice for travellers looking to maximise their time in Kissimmee, Florida.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Kissimmee, Florida is conveniently served by three airports: Orlando International Airport (MCO), Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. Covering 47 square kilometers (18.1 sq mi) and 11,605 acres (4,696 ha), it is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area. It is also the fifth-largest airport in the country by land area.

The airport's IATA code, MCO, is derived from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) was established in the same year to manage and oversee the airport's operations and expansions. The airport gained its international status in 1976 but retained the MCO code.

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)

Kissimmee, Florida, is conveniently served by three airports: Orlando International Airport (MCO), Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a great option for travellers looking for a smooth transition to the fun and excitement of Kissimmee.

The airport has a rich history, starting as Naval Air Station Sanford (NRJ/KNRJ) in 1942, concentrating on advanced land-based patrol plane training for the US Navy. In 1969, the City of Sanford took control, renaming it Sanford Airport, and establishing the Sanford Airport Authority. Over the years, the airport underwent name changes, becoming Sanford Regional Airport, Central Florida Regional Airport, and Orlando Sanford Regional Airport before settling on its current name, Orlando Sanford International Airport.

The airport has been featured in popular culture, with parts of the 1992 film "Passenger 57" starring Wesley Snipes being filmed there. Additionally, in 2007, a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft experienced a hydraulic failure and made a safe landing at Orlando Sanford International Airport, with only one minor injury reported.

Kissimmee's airport history

Kissimmee, Florida, is served by three airports: Orlando International Airport (MCO), Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Each airport offers unique benefits to travellers, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey to and from Kissimmee.

Kissimmee's aviation history dates back to 1912 when the first airplane landed in the city. By October 1918, a landing field was established on the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga near Kissimmee, with pilots making stops before proceeding to other cities. Plans for a dedicated Kissimmee airport began in 1933, with the Kissimmee Chamber of Commerce working to find a suitable location. According to an article in the October 7, 1933, edition of the Orlando Sentinel, construction of the airport started in October 1933. The airport was among 56 airport projects selected for the Works Project Administration in July 1935, receiving a $10,000 appropriation for lighting and landing improvements.

As the 1930s came to a close, the U.S. Army Air Forces considered Kissimmee as a potential site for a military airfield. The airport, known as the Kissimmee Army Airfield, opened in April 1940 and was used for tactical combat simulation training by the Air University Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics. During World War II, the airfield played a crucial role in military aviation. However, with the end of the war, the airfield was closed on July 7, 1945, and returned to civilian use by the end of that year. The city had the opportunity to purchase back the land to convert it into an executive airport.

The Kissimmee Airport experienced another period of growth in the 1960s, with improvements made to the facilities, including new runway lighting, hangar updates, and the installation of a wind signal. The airport celebrated the opening of the improved facilities on June 16-17, 1962. Today, the Kissimmee Gateway Airport covers an area of 892 acres and features two asphalt-paved runways. While it does not offer scheduled passenger service, it hosts various general aviation aircraft operations, including a facility for restoring classic military aircraft from World War II.

Airports near Kissimmee

Kissimmee, Florida, is served by several airports, including three that are conveniently located for travel to and from the city. These are:

Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM)

Kissimmee's own airport is located near Hwy. 192 and I-4 and is ideal for private jets and smaller aircraft. It is just a short drive from the area's top attractions and accommodations, including major theme parks and convention centres.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Located 11 to 18 miles from Kissimmee, Orlando International Airport is the nearest major airport to the city. It offers both international and domestic flights and can be reached in around 34 minutes by bus.

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)

Around 34 miles from Kissimmee, Orlando Sanford International Airport is located approximately 50 minutes or less from the city. It provides a variety of low-cost carrier options and a hassle-free airport environment, with a straightforward layout and swift security processes.

In addition to the above, other airports within a 100-mile radius of Kissimmee include Tampa International Airport (72.1 miles), St. Petersburg Airport (82.9 miles), and Sarasota/Bradenton Airport (94.6 miles).

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