St. Pete's Airport: Does It Exist?

St. Pete does have an airport, in fact, it has two. The Albert Whitted Airport and the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport. The St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is a commercial airport with nonstop air service to 65 destinations. It is located on the west shoreline of Tampa Bay, 6 miles north of St. Petersburg, Florida. The airport is a vital part of the Pinellas tourism industry, with an economic impact of over $1 billion. The airport began as a World War II military training base and later became a civil airport. On the other hand, the Albert Whitted Airport provides activities such as sightseeing tours, fine dining, and youth programs.

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is 9 miles from downtown St. Petersburg

St. Pete does have an airport, and it's called the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport. It is located 9 miles (14 km) north of downtown St. Petersburg, 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Clearwater, and 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Tampa. The airport is on the west shoreline of Tampa Bay and is right on the northeast municipal boundary of Pinellas Park.

The St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida, serving the Tampa Bay Area. It is known for its advertising slogan, "Tampa Bay The Easy Way," and its code, "Fly2PIE," which refers to its three-letter IATA and FAA codes. The airport is easily accessible and provides multiple options for travellers with over 25 airlines serving the airport and non-stop service available from more than 100 cities.

The history of the airport dates back to the early days of commercial air transportation. In 1903, just a decade after the Wright brothers' pioneer flight at Kitty Hawk, the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line of Tony Jannus sold the first tickets for airline travel to fare-paying passengers. The inaugural flight, using a Benoist XIV amphibious aircraft, took place from a location near the downtown St. Petersburg Pier. This historic event marked the beginning of commercial air transportation globally and is commemorated at the airport with a replica of the Benoist aircraft and a plaque in the terminal baggage claim area.

The airport has undergone several name changes over the years. It was originally called Pinellas International Airport and was returned to Pinellas County by the U.S. government after World War II to operate as a civil airport. In 1958, the name was changed to St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport to make it more recognisable to tourists. The airport has played a significant role in the development of air freight in the United States, serving as the original home to two of the first scheduled air freight airlines: U. S. Airlines and Aerovias Sud Americana (ASA International Airlines).

Albert Whitted Airport is another airport in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, Florida, is served by the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, which is located 9 miles (14 km) north of downtown St. Petersburg. However, Albert Whitted Airport is another airport in St. Petersburg. It is owned and operated by the City of St. Petersburg and is located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, providing convenient access to the city's downtown waterfront, business district, and urban communities. The airport is just blocks away from hotels, restaurants, museums, shopping, and more. The 110-acre facility handles approximately 80,000 general aviation aircraft operations annually and is the home base for around 185 aircraft.

Albert Whitted Airport offers a range of activities and services for visitors and residents, including sightseeing tours, a park, fine dining, and youth programs. Sightseeing flights are available by helicopter or historic bi-plane, and dining and flight specials are also offered through the Hangar Restaurant. The Preservation Society provides airport tours, an education centre, the National Airlines Museum, and other special events.

The airport is also a base for several aviation services, including flight instruction, aircraft rental, maintenance, avionics, aircraft sales, and helicopter rides. Sheltair Aviation, the airport's fixed-base operator (FBO), provides aircraft fueling services, hangar and tie-down space, and concierge services. Albert Whitted Airport is also notable for being surrounded by scenic views of Tampa Bay and its boating community.

In terms of regulations, the airspace above and around the City of St. Petersburg falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As a result, anyone interested in flying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone within a 5-mile radius of the airport, which includes the entire downtown area, must obtain authorization from the FAA. This applies to both commercial and recreational UAV operations, and interested persons should refer to the FAA website for more information on rules, registration, and obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate.

The airport employs over 3,000 people and has an economic benefit of $400 million yearly

St. Pete does have an airport, and it's a busy one! The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE, ICAO: KPIE, FAA LID: PIE) is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida, serving the Tampa Bay Area. It is just 6-9 miles from downtown St. Petersburg, and it has an impressive economic impact.

The airport and its tenants provide employment for over 3,000 people, which has a significant economic benefit to the region. With an annual economic impact of over $400 million, the airport is a vital contributor to the local economy and the Pinellas tourism industry. This economic benefit is far-reaching, as the airport supports various businesses and services.

The airport has a range of facilities, including a 24-hour rescue and firefighting department, operations, facilities, engineering, security, and administrative personnel. It also has three restaurant/bars, including The District Pub, Mazzaro's Italian Market, and 3 Daughters Brewing, which offer dining options for travellers.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport also has a rich history in aviation. It was originally a WWII military training base known as Pinellas Army Airfield, and it became a civil airport after the war. The airport has been serving the region for decades, with the first tickets for airline travel being sold by the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line of Tony Jannus to fare-paying passengers in 1906, just a few years after the Wright brothers' pioneer flight.

Today, the airport continues to be a bustling hub, with 25 airlines serving St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and Tampa International Airport combined. It offers non-stop service to over 100 cities and is a popular destination for low-cost carriers. With its convenient location, rich history, and wide range of amenities, the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is an important gateway to the Tampa Bay Area.

The airport is a former WWII military training base

St. Pete does have an airport, the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, which is located on the west shoreline of Tampa Bay, six miles (10 km) north of St. Petersburg, Florida. The airport is a former WWII military training base known as the Pinellas Army Airfield. It was acquired by the United States Army Air Forces after the attack on Pearl Harbor and used for combat training of the 304th Fighter Squadron, a unit of the 337th Fighter Group. They flew P-40 Warhawks and later P-51 Mustangs from this base during World War II. The airfield was also used to launch antisubmarine patrols against German U-boats in the Gulf of Mexico.

After World War II, the airfield was returned to Pinellas County by the U.S. government for use as a civil airport. The original name of the airport was Pinellas International Airport, and it was later renamed St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport in 1958. The airport has been a significant part of the history of aviation in the region, with the first tickets for airline travel being sold by the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line of Tony Jannus to fare-paying passengers. The inaugural flight, using a Benoist XIV amphibious aircraft, took place from a location near the downtown St. Petersburg Pier.

Today, the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida, serving the Tampa Bay Area. It is a small-hub primary commercial service facility, offering non-stop flights to 65 destinations. The airport is also home to various amenities, including restaurants, bars, and therapy dogs for travellers. In addition to its economic impact of over $1 billion, the airport employs over 3,000 people and provides an economic benefit of more than $400 million annually to the Tampa Bay area.

Albert Whitted Airport is another airport in St. Pete that offers services such as sightseeing tours, dining, and flight instruction.

Tampa International Airport is ranked as one of America's best-loved airports

St. Pete does have an airport, the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, which is located on the west shoreline of Tampa Bay, six miles (10 km) north of St. Petersburg, Florida. The airport is also 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Tampa and is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility.

Tampa International Airport, located 10 miles (16 km) east of St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, is ranked as one of America's best-loved airports. The airport has been named the best large airport in North America for two consecutive years by J.D. Power in its North American Airport Satisfaction Survey. Tampa International Airport was also ranked as the best large airport in the US in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The airport's beloved flamingo sculpture, Phoebe, also won the CODAworx People's Choice Award.

Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano commented on the J.D. Power ranking, stating that the airport aims to "continue to expand and adapt to meet the needs of our growing region" and "maintain this legacy of excellence for generations to come." Lopano also acknowledged the support received from passengers, residents, and airport partners, stating that the number one spot "belongs to all."

The J.D. Power North American Airport Satisfaction Survey evaluates six factors to determine overall traveler satisfaction with mega, large, and medium North American airports. These factors include terminal facilities, airport arrival and departure, baggage claim, security check, check-in/baggage check, and food, beverage, and retail options. Tampa International Airport received an overall score of 843, surpassing other highly-ranked airports such as John Wayne Airport, Orange County (829), and Salt Lake City International Airport (825).

In addition to its recognition as a beloved airport, Tampa International Airport also offers a variety of dining options. Airside C's Bavaro's, Cigar City Brewing, and Ulele were ranked among the nation's 10 Best in the Airport Grab-and-Go Food or Airport Sit-Down Restaurant categories.

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