Florida's Airport Network: How Many Are There?

Florida, USA, is home to numerous airports, with estimates ranging from over 60 to 73. Of these, 21 are federalized and have three-letter identification codes. The state's airports include a mix of major international airports, smaller local airports, and military airfields. Florida's busiest airport is Miami International, which handles the most aircraft operations, cargo traffic, and passengers in the state.

Florida's busiest airports

Florida has over 60 airports, 20 of which have scheduled passenger service and general aviation services. The state's busiest airports are:

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Miami International Airport is Florida's busiest airport. It is one of the most extensive airports in the United States and is known as the "Gateway to the Americas" due to its connections to Latin America and the Caribbean. The airport is a major hub for American Airlines and offers direct services to many Central American and Caribbean countries. It also operates flights to nearly 50 destinations in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. In 2022, MIA served 50.68 million passengers.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Orlando International Airport is the second busiest airport in Florida. It is located in Central Florida and offered 34 million seats in 2024. The airport serves over 160 destinations worldwide and is a hub for Silver Airways. It is also an operating base for Avelo Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. In 2022, MCO served 50.18 million passengers.

Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport is the third busiest airport in Florida. It is slightly smaller than Miami International Airport but serves many passengers from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Boca Raton. The airport is a focus city for JetBlue and is used by many US-based carriers, including Allegiant Air, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. In 2022, FLL served 31.69 million passengers.

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Tampa International Airport is the fourth busiest airport in Florida. It is one of two airports in the Tampa area and serves over 100 destinations, with 80 of these flights being domestic. The airport is a hub for Silver Airways and serves as an operating base for Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. In 2022, TPA served 21.53 million passengers.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

Southwest Florida International Airport is the fifth busiest and third-largest airport in Florida based on land size. It serves 63 destinations, with only four being international. The airport is a major cargo hub and is served by 16 airlines. In 2022, RSW served 10.34 million passengers.

Smaller, local airports

Florida has a large number of airports, with estimates ranging from 60 to 73. While some of these airports cater to international travellers, others are smaller, local airports. These smaller airports are spread across the state and offer a range of services, from general aviation to military operations.

One such airport is the Apalachicola Regional Airport, which is located in the panhandle region of Florida. This airport offers a convenient gateway to the Apalachicola Bay area, known for its pristine beaches and vibrant seafood industry. Another airport in this category is the Avon Park Executive Airport, nestled in the heart of Central Florida. This airport caters to business travellers and executives with its convenient location and efficient facilities.

The Bartow Municipal Airport, serving the city of Bartow in Polk County, is another important local airport. It provides easy access to the numerous lakes and outdoor recreational opportunities in the area. The Craig Municipal Airport in Jacksonville is also a notable local airport, offering convenient connections to the city's vibrant cultural scene and historical attractions.

For those seeking a more intimate aviation experience, the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport on the state's east coast is a charming option. This airport is known for its friendly atmosphere and proximity to the area's beautiful beaches. Similarly, the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, located north of Tampa, offers a relaxed aviation environment with easy access to the region's renowned skydiving centres.

Military airports

Florida has over 60 airports, including both public-use and military airports. The state's largest airport is Miami International, which also happens to be the busiest in Florida.

Florida has several military airports, including:

MacDill Air Force Base

MacDill Air Force Base is located 7.8 miles (12.6 km) south-southwest of Tampa. During World War II, it was under the command of the Third Air Force and the HO III Bomber Command. It was also utilised by the Air Transport Command and had several known sub-bases and auxiliaries, including Bonita Springs Auxiliary Field, Brooksville Army Airfield, and Hillsborough Army Airfield.

Patrick Space Force Base

This Space Force Base is a military airport in Florida.

Tyndall Air Force Base

Tyndall Air Force Base is located 7.5 miles southeast of Panama City. During World War II, it served as an Army Air Forces Flexible Gunnery School and was home to the 38th Flexible Gunnery Training Group and the 69th Army Air Force Base Unit. It had several sub-bases, including the Apalachicola Army Airfield.

Naval Air Station Jacksonville (Towers Field)

NAS Jacksonville, also known as Towers Field, is a military airport in Florida.

Naval Air Station Key West (Boca Chica Field)

NAS Key West, or Boca Chica Field, is another military airport in the state. It was used by the Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command from 1942 to 1943 and was part of the 26th Antisubmarine Wing.

Homestead Joint Air Reserve Base

Homestead Joint Air Reserve Base is a military airport in Florida.

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is a military airport in Florida.

In addition to these, there are several other military airports in Florida, including the Duke Field (Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field 3), NAS Whiting Field – North and South, and the NASA Shuttle Landing Facility. Many of these airports were established during World War II for antisubmarine defence and training pilots and aircrews.

Defunct airports

Florida has a long and varied history of aviation, with more than 60 airports across the state, 21 of which are "federalized". Here are some of the defunct airports in Florida:

Naval Air Station Sanford

Also known as NAS Sanford, this airport was previously the Naval Air Station Sanford with the airport codes NRJ and KNRJ. Commissioned on November 3, 1942, the base focused on advanced land-based patrol plane training. It was used by the US Navy until it closed in 1969.

Panama City-Bay County International Airport

This airport was replaced by the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in 2010.

Walt Disney World Airport

This airport no longer exists, but it once served as a hub for Walt Disney World.

Opa-locka West Airport

Opa-locka West Airport closed in 2006.

Tampa Bay Executive Airport

The Tampa Bay Executive Airport closed in 2004.

Tallahassee Commercial Airport

This airport is closed indefinitely.

Naval Air Station Richmond

NAS Richmond closed in 1948.

Imeson Field

Imeson Field operated from 1926 until 1968 when it was replaced by the Jacksonville International Airport.

Bushnell Army Airfield

The Bushnell Army Airfield was operational from 1940 until 1945.

DeLand Naval Air Station

DeLand Naval Air Station was in use from 1942 until 1946.

IATA airport codes

Florida has over 60 airports, 20 of which offer commercial or charter flights. Of these, 21 are "federalized" and have three-letter IATA airport codes. These codes are often based on the first three letters of the airport's city, the city's initials, or some other location identifier.

• MCO – Orlando International Airport
• MIA – Miami International Airport
• FLL – Fort Lauderdale International Airport
• TPA – Tampa International Airport
• RSW – Fort Myers Southwest Florida International Airport
• JAX – Jacksonville International Airport
• PBI – West Palm Beach International Airport
• SFB – Orlando Sanford International Airport
• DAB – Daytona Beach International Airport
• EYW – Key West International Airport
• GNV – Gainesville Regional Airport
• MLB – Melbourne Orlando International Airport
• PIE – St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport
• PNS – Pensacola International Airport
• SRQ – Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport
• VPS – Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport
• ECP – Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
• TLH – Tallahassee International Airport

Some of these IATA codes are based on the airport's location, such as ATL for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and MEX for Mexico City. However, some codes don't seem to make sense in relation to their location, like MCO for Orlando International Airport.

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