Largo, Florida: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Largo, Florida, has two airports, one public and one private. However, there are no airports in Largo itself, but several in the surrounding area. The closest airport to Largo, Florida, is St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, which is 7 miles from the city centre. Largo also had another airport, Port Largo Airport (KYL), which closed in 1985.

Nearest major airport: St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport

The closest major airport to Largo, Florida is St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE, ICAO: KPIE). The airport is approximately 7 miles from Largo, with a drive time of around 15 minutes in normal traffic.

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is located in Pinellas County, on the Pinellas Peninsula, and is owned by Pinellas County Government. The airport has a single runway, 7,177 feet in length, and services domestic flights from cities such as Asheville, North Carolina.

The airport is a base for several major airlines, including Allegiant Air, which operates a maintenance base at the airport, and Sun Country Airlines, which bases crew and maintenance operations at the airport. Other airlines operating from the airport include Frontier Airlines, with flights to and from Chicago, and Elite Airways, which operates flights to and from Asheville.

The airport is also home to several flight schools, including the St. Petersburg College Aerospace Degree Program, which is based in the Northwest Aviation Academy on the airport's north side.

Other major airports

There are several other major airports near Largo, Florida. The closest is St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE / KPIE), which is 6-7 miles from Largo and offers domestic flights from Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Another major airport close to Largo is Tampa International Airport (TPA / KTPA). This airport is 16.3-20 miles from Largo and offers international and domestic flights from Tampa, Florida.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ / KSRQ) is a little further away, at 39.1-50 miles from Largo. This airport offers domestic flights from Sarasota, Florida.

For those willing to travel a little further, there are several other major airports within a reasonable distance of Largo. Orlando International Airport (MCO / KMCO) is 97.6-107 miles away and offers international and domestic flights. Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB / KSFB) is 133 miles away and offers international and domestic flights. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW / KRSW) is 115.3-138 miles from Largo and offers international and domestic flights.

Smaller local airports

Largo, Florida, has two airports, both public and private. However, there are no specific details on the private airports in Largo, Florida. There used to be a small airport in the area, the Port Largo Airport (KYL), which closed in 1985. It was located in Key Largo, Florida, and was dredged from the ocean floor. Despite its small size, it enjoyed commercial commuter airline service. It was the centre of a legal battle between the developers who wanted to close the airport and build homes on the site, and Monroe County, which wanted to block the closure and gain legal control over the airport.

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE/KPIE)

This airport is approximately 7 miles from Largo, Florida, and offers domestic flights to cities like Asheville, North Carolina.

Tampa International Airport (TPA/KTPA)

Tampa International Airport is located 20 miles from Largo, Florida, and offers international and domestic flights to and from cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Seattle.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ/KSRQ)

This airport is 50 miles from Largo, Florida, and offers domestic flights from cities like Hebron, Charlotte, Indianapolis, and Washington.

History of Port Largo Airport

Port Largo Airport (KYL) in Key Largo, Florida, was a small airport that enjoyed commercial commuter airline service and was at the centre of a nearly two-decade-long legal battle. The airport was dredged from the ocean floor and was little more than a breakwater with a runway on top.

The story of this unusual airport began in the late 1960s with an undeveloped, submerged parcel of land owned by the State of Florida on the Atlantic side of Key Largo. The State sold the parcel to a developer who dredged the area and constructed a breakwater that was paved with a 2,300-foot landing strip. It was agreed that the developer would eventually donate the property to Monroe County for use as a public airport. Commercial airline service came to Port Largo in 1976 when Commutaire International Airways operated flights between Port Largo Airport and Miami using a 9-passenger Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander.

In the early 1980s, the property was purchased by New Port Largo, Inc., who intended to close the airport and build homes on the site. Upon learning this, Monroe County commenced litigation to block the closure and gain legal control over the airport, and even changed zoning laws in an attempt to block residential development. Despite these efforts, Monroe County lost the battle in 1985, and the airport was permanently closed.

Today, Port Largo Airport has largely been forgotten, except by longtime local residents, pilots, and aviation buffs. While it may not have the same prominence as other airports in Florida, its unique history and impact on the local community are still remembered by those who once relied on it for their travel needs.

Flights to Largo, Florida

Largo, Florida, is served by one main airport, Tampa International Airport (TPA), which is located about 16 to 25 miles from downtown Largo. While there is no airport in Largo with commercial flights, several other airports in the vicinity offer domestic and international flights, including:

• St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE / KPIE) - 6 to 7 miles from Largo
• Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ / KSRQ) - 38 to 50 miles from Largo
• Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) - 84 miles from Largo
• Orlando Airport (MCO) - 97 miles from Largo
• Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB / KSFB) - 133 miles from Largo
• Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW / KRSW) - 138 miles from Largo

The price of flights to Largo varies depending on the origin airport, the time of booking, and the season. For example, round-trip flights from Miami to Largo can be found for as low as $223, while one-way flights from Fort Lauderdale to Largo can cost around $21. It is recommended to book domestic flights at least four weeks in advance and international flights around six months in advance to get the best deals. Additionally, research suggests that Sunday is the best day of the week to book flights to secure cheaper airfares.

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