Jacksonville Airport: Size, Scale, And Significance

Jacksonville International Airport (IATA: JAX, ICAO: KJAX, FAA LID: JAX) is a civil-military public airport in Duval County, Florida. The airport covers 7,911 acres (3,201 ha) and has two concrete runways. It is owned and operated by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and has direct public transit service to Jacksonville Transportation Authority's bus network. In 2019, the airport served 7,186,639 passengers, and it is ranked as the second-fastest-growing airport in the US.

Jacksonville International Airport's size and ranking

Jacksonville International Airport (IATA: JAX, ICAO: KJAX, FAA LID: JAX) is a civil-military public airport located 13 miles (21 km) north of Downtown Jacksonville, in Duval County, Florida. The airport covers 7,911 acres (3,201 ha) and has two concrete runways: 08/26, 10,000 x 150 ft (3,048 x 46 m) and 14/32, 7,701 x 150 ft (2,347 x 46 m). The terminal at JAX has a baggage claim area on the first floor and a ticketing area on the second floor. The airport also has a mezzanine level with shops, restaurants, and a security checkpoint. Concourses A and C have 10 gates each, with additional shops and restaurants. The airport features a Delta Sky Club on Concourse A and a multi-airline passenger club behind the airside food court.

In terms of ranking, Jacksonville International Airport has been recognized for its customer service and was tied for first place with Indianapolis International Airport and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in the Airport Service Quality Award announced by the Airports Council International. It also ranked third in the category of "Best Airport by Size" in the council's worldwide ranking. Additionally, it was the highest-ranking Florida airport on the awards listing.

The airport has direct public transit service to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority's bus network, with Route 1 connecting it to downtown Jacksonville and offering connections to Greyhound Bus Lines and the Jacksonville Skyway monorail system. In the fiscal year 2023 (10/1/2022-9/30/2023), the airport handled a record-breaking 7,306,171 passengers, a 14.4% increase from the previous year. The previous record was set in 2019, with 7,186,639 passengers. In 2022, annual passenger traffic recovered to over 6.5 million, and expansion projects are underway, including the rebuilding of Concourse B, which will add six to ten additional gates.

The airport's history and construction

Jacksonville International Airport (IATA: JAX, ICAO: KJAX, FAA LID: JAX) is a civil-military public airport located 13 miles (21 km) north of Downtown Jacksonville, in Duval County, Florida. The airport covers 7,911 acres (3,201 ha) and has two concrete runways: 08/26, 10,000 x 150 ft (3,048 x 46 m) and 14/32, 7,701 x 150 ft (2,347 x 46 m).

The airport was constructed to replace the outdated Thomas Cole Imeson Airport, which had become too small to accommodate the increasing size and number of jet aircraft entering service with the airlines by the early 1960s. The expansion of Imeson Airport was not feasible due to surrounding water, terrain, and development constraints. Therefore, a new site for the airport was chosen about seven miles north of Imeson Airport. Construction of the new airport began in 1965, and it was officially dedicated on September 1, 1968, with a grand opening ceremony and an open house that attracted a large number of visitors. The new airport featured a modern design, including separate ground floor arrival and departure lobbies, each with its own dedicated road and parking lot. The terminal building had a snack bar, restaurant, cocktail lounge, gift shops, and access to three concourses.

Initially, the airport experienced slow growth, serving only two million passengers annually by 1982. However, by 1999, the airport's passenger volume had increased significantly, serving over five million passengers per year. In the following years, the airport continued to expand and improve its facilities. For instance, in 2019, the airport handled a record-breaking 7,186,639 passengers, surpassing the previous record set in 2018. To accommodate this increase in traffic, the airport revived plans to rebuild Concourse B, breaking ground on May 10, 2024. The new concourse will feature six additional gates, with the potential to expand to up to 10 gates in the future.

Jacksonville International Airport has a rich history, including notable events such as the 1971 plane hijacking by George M. Giffe Jr., which tragically resulted in the deaths of his wife, the pilot, and himself during an FBI standoff. Another significant incident occurred on December 6, 1984, when Provincetown-Boston Airlines Flight 1039 crashed during takeoff, resulting in the deaths of 11 passengers and 2 crew members.

Military presence at the airport

Jacksonville International Airport (IATA: JAX, ICAO: KJAX, FAA LID: JAX) is a civil-military airport located 13 miles (21 km) north of Downtown Jacksonville, in Duval County, Florida. Covering 7,911 acres (3,201 ha), it is a relatively large airport with two concrete runways and 20 gates across two concourses.

Jacksonville International Airport has a significant military presence. The 125th Fighter-Interceptor Group (125 FIG) of the Florida Air National Guard (FANG) is based at the airport. The group was upgraded to wing status in the 1990s and redesignated as the 125th Fighter Wing (125 FW). The 125 FW operates F-15C and F-15D Eagle aircraft and is the host unit for the Jacksonville Air National Guard Base (ANGB). The base is located in the southwest quadrant of the airport and is equipped with USAF-style emergency arresting gear on the runways.

In addition to the Florida Air National Guard presence, the airport also has a strong connection to the aerospace industry. Brazil-based Embraer builds its A-29 Super Tucanos aircraft at a facility located at the airport, and Kaman Aerospace produces commercial airplanes at the site of Jacksonville's original public airport, Imeson Industrial Park.

The military presence at the airport is part of a broader trend in Northeast Florida, where military installations provide employment to thousands of active-duty, reserve, and civilian personnel. The U.S. Marine Corps' Blount Island Command, located at Jacksonville's port, is another notable example of the military's presence in the region. The military also provides an important training ground for businesses in the region, and many veterans choose to stay in Northeast Florida after retirement, contributing to the local workforce.

Passenger traffic and experience

Jacksonville International Airport (IATA: JAX, ICAO: KJAX, FAA LID: JAX) is a civil-military public airport located 13 miles (21 km) north of Downtown Jacksonville, in Duval County, Florida. The airport covers 7,911 acres (3,201 ha) and has two concrete runways. The terminal at JAX comprises a baggage claim area on the first floor and a ticketing area on the second floor. Beyond the mezzanine, which features shops, restaurants, and a security checkpoint, lie Concourses A and C, each with ten gates and additional shops and restaurants. The airport also boasts a Delta Sky Club on Concourse A and a multi-airline passenger club behind the airside food court.

In 2018, JAX handled 6,460,253 passengers, breaking its previous record set in 2007. Passenger numbers continued to grow, reaching 7,186,639 in 2019. This increase prompted plans to rebuild Concourse B, which was demolished in 2009 due to decreased passenger traffic during the economic downturn of 2009. The new Concourse B, with construction commencing in 2024, will feature six additional gates, expandable to up to ten gates.

Passengers at JAX can enjoy various amenities, including three galleries located off the main courtyard before the security checkpoint. These galleries exhibit art, a revolving exhibit about a Jacksonville landmark or institution, and a permanent display on the region's aviation history. The airport also provides direct public transit to Jacksonville's bus network, with Route 1 connecting to downtown Jacksonville and offering connections to Greyhound Bus Lines and the Jacksonville Skyway monorail system.

As of February 2025, 11 airlines operate from JAX, including Air Canada, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country Airlines, United, and Xtra Airways. These airlines provide service to 62 airports worldwide and 49 non-stop destinations.

Transport links to the airport

Jacksonville International Airport is located 13 miles (21 km) north of Downtown Jacksonville, in Duval County, Florida. The airport is owned and operated by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. There are several transport options available to and from the airport.

Public Transport

Jacksonville International Airport has direct public transit service to Jacksonville Transportation Authority's bus network. The Route 1 bus connects the airport to downtown Jacksonville, with connections to Greyhound Bus Lines and the Jacksonville Skyway monorail system.

Airport Shuttle

There are several airport shuttle services available, including SuperShuttle Express, EZ Airport Shuttle, and GO with Us. These services offer transportation to and from the airport, as well as around the city of Jacksonville. Shuttles can be booked in advance, and some companies offer instant quotes online.

Private Car Services

In addition to shuttle services, private car services are also available at Jacksonville International Airport. Companies such as SuperShuttle and GO with Us offer private car and SUV bookings. These services can be booked in advance, and some companies offer transparent fares without surge pricing.

Taxis

Taxi services are also available at the airport. EZ Airport Shuttle, a division of Terry Transportation and Airport Shuttle LLC, offers taxi services to and from the airport.

Frequently asked questions