Punta Gorda Airport: A Busy Travel Hub?

Punta Gorda Airport (IATA: PGD, ICAO: KPGD, FAA LID: PGD) is a public airport in Charlotte County, Florida, that has been consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. In 2017, it was the 11th busiest airport in Florida, with 1.29 million arriving and departing passengers. The airport offers a range of aviation and non-aviation businesses and hosts the Florida International Air Show annually. With its convenient location near Interstate I-75 and a range of rental car services, Punta Gorda Airport is a popular choice for travellers looking for low-cost, non-stop flights to Southwest Florida.

Punta Gorda Airport's ranking

Punta Gorda Airport (IATA: PGD, ICAO: KPGD, FAA LID: PGD) is a public airport in Charlotte County, Florida, owned by the Charlotte County Airport Authority. The airport is located three miles southeast of Punta Gorda and was formerly called Charlotte County Airport.

In terms of size, Punta Gorda Airport covers 1,934 acres (783 hectares) of land and has three runways, with the longest being 7,193 feet (2,192 metres) and the shortest being 2,636 feet (803 metres) long. The airport is home to various businesses, including 24 aviation-related and 12 non-aviation-related enterprises, and accommodates around 400 aircraft, ranging from small, two-seat planes to 186-seat airliners.

Regarding passenger traffic, Punta Gorda Airport has experienced significant growth in recent years. In 2017, it ranked 11th among the busiest airports in Florida, with approximately 1.29 million arriving and departing passengers. This ranking placed it ahead of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, which saw 1.16 million passengers. Punta Gorda Airport's passenger numbers have been increasing steadily, with a 15.65% increase in 2017 compared to 2016. The airport's convenient location near Interstate 75 and its partnership with low-cost carriers like Allegiant Air have contributed to its popularity.

In the year ending December 31, 2023, Punta Gorda Airport recorded 103,252 aircraft operations, averaging 283 per day. The breakdown of these operations included 85% general aviation, 12% airline, 2% military, and 1% air taxi. The airport is not solely focused on commercial operations, as it also hosts the Florida International Air Show, a nonprofit event that has donated millions to local charities since its inception in 1981.

While specific rankings for subsequent years are not readily available, Punta Gorda Airport's consistent growth and increasing passenger numbers suggest that it has maintained or improved its position among Florida's busiest airports. The airport's expansion plans, including the addition of gates and improved terminals, further emphasize its focus on accommodating growing demand and enhancing its standing in the region.

Passenger numbers

Punta Gorda Airport (IATA: PGD, ICAO: KPGD, FAA LID: PGD) is a public airport in Charlotte County, Florida, owned by the Charlotte County Airport Authority. It is located three miles southeast of Punta Gorda. The airport has three runways on 1,819 acres of land, with 400 aircraft based at the airport. The airport mainly serves general aviation, but has recently expanded its scheduled airline services.

In 2017, Punta Gorda Airport was the 11th busiest airport in Florida, with just over 1.29 million arriving and departing passengers. This was an increase of 15.65% compared to 2016, which saw 1.1 million passengers. In 2018, the growth trend continued, with 147,871 passengers in April, a 20,000 increase from the previous year. In March of the same year, the airport recorded 192,947 passengers, the highest monthly passenger volume at the time.

The airport has consistently been one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. This growth can be attributed to its convenient location near Interstate 75 and its partnership with low-cost carriers like Allegiant Air, which offers non-stop flights to dozens of destinations. Allegiant Air's popularity has grown as travellers opt for low-cost, direct flights to Southwest Florida, a region already popular with tourists.

The airport's growth has led to the construction of a new terminal in 2009 and plans for further expansion, including an improved terminal with more gates, to accommodate the increasing passenger numbers. The airport's small size and ease of navigation are often cited as advantages by passengers.

Location and access

Punta Gorda Airport (IATA: PGD, ICAO: KPGD, FAA LID: PGD) is a public airport located three miles southeast of Punta Gorda, in Charlotte County, Florida. It is owned by the Charlotte County Airport Authority and was formerly called Charlotte County Airport. The airport is conveniently located just off Interstate 75, a major benefit according to the airport's marketing and communications manager, Kaley Miller.

The address of the airport is 28000 A-1 Airport Road, Punta Gorda, FL. It is open seven days a week and has been consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. In 2017, it was the 11th busiest airport in Florida, with just over 1.29 million arriving and departing passengers. The airport has three runways, covering 1,819 acres or 1,934 acres of land, depending on the source. It has a new FBO PGD Air Centre, a 13,500-square-foot facility for general aviation operations with a pilots' lounge, meeting space, and aircraft parking.

The airport is home to the Florida International Air Show, an annual event featuring military demonstration teams. It also has an event space and aviation tenants. The Bailey Terminal, named for the seven Bailey brothers from Punta Gorda who served in World War II and the Korean War, hosts Allegiant Air, which offers non-stop flights to dozens of destinations in the Midwest and Eastern U.S.

The airport is easily accessible by road, with car rental services available on-site from Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis.

Facilities

Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is a public airport in Southwest Florida, three miles southeast of Punta Gorda. It is owned and operated by the Charlotte County Airport Authority and was formerly called Charlotte County Airport. The airport has been one of the fastest-growing commercial airports in the U.S. in recent years.

The airport covers 1,934 acres of land and has three asphalt runways: 04/22 is 7,193 by 150 feet, 15/33 is 6,286 by 150 feet, and 09/27 is 2,636 by 60 feet. It has six gates, although it is in the process of expanding and improving its terminal, which will increase the number of gates to 10. The Bailey Terminal, named for the seven Bailey brothers from Punta Gorda who served in World War II and the Korean War, hosts Allegiant Air, which offers nonstop service to 39 destinations. The airport also has a new FBO, the PGD Air Centre, a 13,500-square-foot facility for general aviation operations, which includes a pilots' lounge, meeting and event space, and aircraft parking on a 510,000-square-foot ramp. A bar and restaurant overlooking the ramp are due to open in Fall 2023.

The airport is home to the Florida International Air Show, an annual event featuring military demonstration teams, which has been running since 1981. The airport also provides daily service to numerous cities across the country, with low-cost, non-stop flights to more than 50 destinations. Sun Country and Allegiant are two of the airlines providing these services. The airport is an important transportation and economic asset to the region, providing hundreds of on-site jobs and space for business and aviation tenants.

Airlines

Punta Gorda Airport (IATA: PGD, ICAO: KPGD, FAA LID: PGD) is a public airport in Charlotte County, Florida, that has been one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States in recent years. The airport is located three miles southeast of Punta Gorda and is owned by the Charlotte County Airport Authority. Formerly called Charlotte County Airport, it was ranked the 11th busiest airport in Florida in 2017, with just over 1.29 million arriving and departing passengers. In 2023, the airport recorded 103,252 aircraft operations, averaging 283 per day, with 85% general aviation, 12% airline, 2% military, and 1% air taxi.

The airport has three runways on 1,819 acres of land, hosting 24 aviation-related businesses, 12 non-aviation-related businesses, and around 400 based aircraft. These include small, two-seat general aviation aircraft and 186-seat Airbus airliners. The Bailey Terminal, named for the seven Bailey brothers from Punta Gorda who served in World War II and the Korean War, hosts Allegiant Air, which offers nonstop service to 39 destinations. Allegiant Air has seen a steady increase in service as it expands its route offerings, providing a low-cost, non-stop flight option to Southwest Florida. In 2008, Allegiant Air began McDonnell Douglas MD-80 flights to Greenville, South Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee.

In addition to Allegiant Air, other airlines serving Punta Gorda Airport include Direct Air, which began service in 2008 with twice-weekly flights to 10 cities in the eastern US, and Vision Airlines, which commenced weekly flights to Northwest Florida Regional Airport in 2011. Vision Airlines also offered through-ticketing for flights from Punta Gorda to Atlanta, Savannah, and Asheville via connections at its Destin/Fort Walton Beach hub. Sun Country Airlines also provides seasonal service from Punta Gorda Airport.

The airport is home to the Florida International Air Show, an annual event featuring military demonstration teams such as the United States Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the "Blue Angels", and the "U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds". The Florida International Air Show has been a fixture at the airport since 1981 and is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers, donating proceeds to local charities.

Frequently asked questions