Daytona Beach Airport: Size, Scope, And Scale

Daytona Beach International Airport (IATA: DAB, ICAO: KDAB, FAA LID: DAB) is a county-owned airport located three miles (5 km) southwest of Daytona Beach, next to Daytona International Speedway, in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The airport covers 2,000 acres of land, with 376 acres occupied by the Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach International Airport has three runways, a six-gate domestic terminal, and an international terminal.

Daytona Beach International Airport's runways and history

Daytona Beach International Airport (IATA: DAB, ICAO: KDAB, FAA LID: DAB) is located three miles (5 km) southwest of Daytona Beach, next to Daytona International Speedway, in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The airport covers 1,800 acres (730 ha) and currently has three asphalt runways: 07L/25R, 10,500 x 150 ft. (3,200 x 46 m), 07R/25L, 3,195 x 100 ft. (974 x 30 m) and 16/34, 6,001 x 150 ft. (1,829 x 46 m). The airport also has a six-gate domestic terminal and an international terminal.

The history of aviation in Daytona Beach dates back to the early days of flight when the white sands of the beach served as a runway for daredevil pilots who were hired as entertainment by local upscale hotels. The beach became Volusia County's first airport, and soon a Pitcairn Airwing began making regular airmail deliveries there. The first twin-engine aircraft ever flown took off from Daytona Beach. In 1928, the city moved its airport from the beach to Bethune Point along the Halifax River, and in 1930, it was moved again to its present site, where it was named Sholtz Field after the then-Governor of Florida, who was from Daytona Beach. The airport began with two gravel runways, one 1,800 feet (550 m) long and the other 2,100 feet (640 m). The airport's name was soon changed to Daytona Beach Municipal Airport, and Eastern Air Lines began passenger service with Kingbirds and Condors.

During the 1980s and 1990s, American Airlines operated several daily flights to Raleigh–Durham International Airport from Daytona Beach, but these ended in 1994 when the Raleigh–Durham hub was shut down. In 1992, a new two-level terminal opened, and the previous terminal was converted to an international arrivals facility. Two runways were extended to 10,500' and 6001', and the airport was renamed Daytona Beach International Airport.

In 2015, American Airlines resumed service to Daytona Beach after merging with US Airways. JetBlue began a new nonstop service to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2016, which ended in 2019. On February 6, 2025, Daytona Beach International Airport earned the Southern Region Air Carrier Airport Safety Award from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The airport has also implemented the Sunflower program, which provides extra assistance to travellers with hidden disabilities.

Nearby airports and their distances from Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach International Airport is located just three miles (5 km) southwest of Daytona Beach, making it the most convenient option for travellers. The airport is also part of the Sunflower program, which offers extra assistance to passengers with hidden disabilities.

However, there are several other airports in close proximity that may be more suitable for your travel needs. Here is a list of nearby airports and their distances from Daytona Beach:

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Located about an hour's drive from Daytona Beach, Orlando International Airport is one of the major airports in the country. It is serviced by numerous domestic and international carriers. The airport is approximately 54 miles from Daytona Beach International Airport.

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)

Orlando Sanford Airport is located 30-35 miles northeast of Daytona Beach and can be easily accessed via Interstate 4. This airport offers international charter and scheduled domestic services.

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

Jacksonville International Airport is the farthest of the nearby airports, approximately a two-hour drive north of Daytona Beach via Interstate 95. It is about 98 miles from Daytona Beach International Airport.

Melbourne International Airport (MLB)

Melbourne International Airport is about 79 miles from Daytona Beach International Airport.

Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV)

Gainesville Regional Airport is approximately 81 miles from Daytona Beach International Airport.

Airlines that fly to Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach International Airport (IATA: DAB, ICAO: KDAB, FAA LID: DAB) is located in Volusia County, Florida, United States, about three miles (5 km) southwest of Daytona Beach. The airport has a rich history in aviation, with the beach once serving as a runway for aircraft due to its smooth, hard, and relatively clean surface. Today, the airport offers flights through various airlines, providing travellers with convenient options for reaching their desired destinations.

One of the airlines serving Daytona Beach International Airport is Delta Air Lines, which offers daily direct flights to Atlanta, Georgia. Delta has been a significant player at the airport, providing travellers with connections to various destinations worldwide. American Airlines is another major carrier at Daytona Beach International Airport, offering daily direct flights to Charlotte, North Carolina, and connections beyond. These two airlines, Delta and American (formerly US Airways), have historically been the primary operators at the airport, though this duopoly is expected to change with the potential entry of Southwest.

Avelo Airlines is another carrier that serves Daytona Beach International Airport. Avelo provides travellers with twice-weekly, non-stop flights to New Haven, Connecticut, which serves as a gateway to Southern Connecticut and the New York region. This airline provides a convenient option for those looking to explore the Northeast from Daytona Beach.

In addition to these carriers, other airlines have also offered services to and from Daytona Beach International Airport. JetBlue, for instance, operated a nonstop service to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport from 2016 to 2019. Silver Airways also briefly provided a nonstop daily service to Fort Lauderdale Airport in 2019 but discontinued it due to financial sustainability issues. While these specific routes are no longer active, they demonstrate the dynamic nature of airline operations and the potential for new routes to emerge in the future.

Daytona Beach International Airport, with its convenient location and historical significance, continues to be an important aviation hub. Serving as a gateway to Central Florida, the airport provides travellers with a range of options for their journeys, whether they are seeking direct flights to nearby destinations or connections to locations further afield.

The airport's safety awards and emergency procedures

Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) has been recognised for its safety procedures, earning the 2023 Southern Region Air Carrier Airport Safety Award from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This award is a testament to the airport's commitment to safety and the effectiveness of its emergency procedures.

The airport has a comprehensive emergency response plan in place, which is regularly tested through drills and exercises. For instance, on March 13, 2025, the airport conducted a full-scale emergency response exercise to test its disaster response readiness. This training is a requirement of the FAA, which mandates that airports conduct such drills every three years to ensure their emergency response capabilities are up to date and effective.

During the drill, emergency responders staged at 7 a.m., and the exercise ran from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The airport remained open for business as usual, with no interruption to air traffic. However, residents in the area were notified in advance that they might observe emergency vehicle sirens, smoke, and law enforcement and fire rescue activity as part of the drill.

The emergency response exercise involved multiple first responders, including federal, state, and local law enforcement, fire agencies, hospitals, and Volusia County EMS ambulance services. Over 225 people and 25 local agencies participated in or supported the drill, demonstrating the airport's ability to coordinate a large-scale emergency response.

The history of Daytona Beach International Airport also highlights its safety and emergency procedures. The airport was once known as Naval Air Station Daytona Beach during World War II, serving as a training ground for Naval Aviators and enlisted Naval Aircrewmen. This historical context underscores the airport's longstanding association with aviation safety and emergency response, dating back to its military use.

The airport's unique location and NASCAR association

Daytona Beach International Airport (IATA: DAB, ICAO: KDAB, FAA LID: DAB) is located just three miles southwest of Daytona Beach, in Volusia County, Florida. The airport is unique in that it is situated right next door to the Daytona International Speedway, home to the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. This proximity to the speedway has made the airport synonymous with NASCAR, and the two are closely intertwined.

The airport's location is a result of its history, which dates back to the early days of aviation in the 1920s and 1930s. Daytona Beach's beach, with its smooth, hard, and relatively clean surface, was a popular racing spot for motor vehicles. Pilots soon realised that the compact sand also made for an excellent runway, and the beach became a landing strip. Hangars were eventually built, and aircraft service was provided on the beach. This unique setup made Daytona Beach one of only two successful beach airports, along with Old Orchard Beach in Maine.

In 1928, the airport moved from the beach to Bethune Point along the Halifax River. Just two years later, it relocated again to its current location, becoming a pilot training ground during World War II. The US Navy took over the airport during the war, renaming it Naval Air Station Daytona Beach and conducting advanced training for Naval Aviators and enlisted Naval Aircrewmen. After the war, the airport was decommissioned and returned to civil use, with ownership reverting to the city of Daytona Beach in 1946.

The close association between the airport and NASCAR is not just a result of their physical proximity. The airport has embraced its NASCAR connections, often running promotions that highlight this link. For instance, two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip once served as a celebrity bartender and greeter. The race track itself occupies 376 of the airport's 2,000 acres, with the track cutting through Turns 2 and 3. This makes for a spectacular arrival, with a bird's-eye view of the massive race track and facilities. For NASCAR fans and drivers alike, landing at Daytona Beach International Airport is a special experience, signalling the unofficial start of the NASCAR season each February.

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