Lois Larson
Tampa, Florida, is home to several airports, including Tampa International Airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. These airports offer both domestic and international flights, connecting Tampa to various destinations within the United States and beyond. In addition to these major airports, Tampa also has smaller airports and airstrips that cater to private planes, helicopters, and seaplanes. With a range of aviation facilities and convenient access to nearby cities, Tampa's airports play a crucial role in the region's transportation network.
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What You'll Learn
Tampa International Airport
The airport has a rich history, dating back to the mid-1940s when airlines Eastern Air Lines and National Airlines moved their operations to Drew Field from the smaller Peter O. Knight Airport. This move accommodated the larger aircraft that were being introduced at the time, such as the Douglas DC-4, DC-6, and Lockheed Constellation prop-liners. In 1950, Trans Canada Airlines began offering international flights from the airport, and it was renamed Tampa International Airport.
Over the years, Tampa International Airport has undergone improvements to enhance its status as a hub. For example, in February 2024, the airport's CEO, Joe Lopano, announced plans to retire, with the airport board initiating a search for a replacement to continue the airport's development. The airport has also featured in art installations, such as the 21-foot flamingo sculpture named "Phoebe" installed in the main terminal in August 2022.
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Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
Before the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport was built, Sarasota and Bradenton had their own airfields. Bradenton Airport was established between 1935 and 1937 and was abandoned during World War II. Sarasota's first municipal airport, Lowe Field, was dedicated on January 12, 1929, and opened on March 12. It was located on 160 acres (0.65 km2) of land west of what is now Beneva Road and north of Fruitville Road. However, Lowe Field's poor conditions and low capacity led to the construction of the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport in 1939, which opened the following year. The airport's initial two-character designation was RS, but by 1948, the growth in aviation demand led to the assignment of three-character codes. The airport was assigned the code "SSO," but it was soon changed to "SRQ" as "SSO" resembled the international distress signal, SOS.
The Sarasota-Bradenton Airport became an international airport in 1956. In 1958, construction began on a terminal building designed by Paul Rudolph and John Cromwell, which opened in 1959. The airport had approximately 22,000 annual passengers that year. The airport's first jet flights were Eastern 727s in the winter of 1964-1965. By the 1960s, the airport welcomed two commuter airlines: Executive in 1964 and Florida Air in 1968.
Today, the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport offers a spacious terminal with short check-in lines and easy access to services. The airport provides a range of amenities, including short and long-term parking, car rentals, ground transportation, dining, shopping, complimentary WiFi, animal relief areas, ATMs, and more. The airport serves over 60 nonstop destinations with 11 airlines, including Air Canada, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, and Sun Country Airlines.
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St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport
St. Petersburg–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 located on the northeast municipal boundary of Pinellas Park, 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Tampa. The airport was originally called Pinellas International Airport, but in 1958 the name was changed because tourists were unfamiliar with the location of Pinellas County.
During the 1950s and 1960s, several major U.S. airlines served the airport, including Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, National Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. In 1957, the Official Airline Guide listed 17 airline departures from PIE, including ten by Eastern and six by National. In 1959, a National Airlines Douglas DC-7B flew to New York and Boston via Jacksonville. By 2005, five airlines were operating jet service into the airport, including two U.S.-based and three Canadian-based air carriers.
St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport has one terminal with two gate areas, known as A-Side and B-Side. For the year ending December 31, 2021, the airport recorded 146,494 aircraft operations, averaging 401 operations per day. There were 193 aircraft based at the airport, including 85 single-engine, 31 multi-engine, 57 jet, 3 helicopter, and 17 military. The airport serves as the base for the Honor Flight of West Central Florida, an annual flight for American veterans to visit memorials in Washington, D.C.
While St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport serves the Tampa Bay Area, most scheduled airline traffic in the region uses Tampa International Airport (TPA), located 10 miles (16 km) east of St. Petersburg–Clearwater.
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Tampa Executive Airport
The airport is home to several aviation businesses and services, offering convenience and support to pilots and aircraft owners. Skyport Aviation, reachable at (813) 626-1515, provides aviation services and is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with after-hours service available upon request. Central Air can be contacted at (813) 914-9332, and Global Aero Maintenance at (813) 753-4020. Other services include the Civil Air Patrol, Experimental Aircraft Association, Global Pilot Academy, and more, each with its own contact information.
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MacDill Air Force Base
There are several airports in Tampa, Florida, including Tampa International Airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, and MacDill Air Force Base.
MacDill AFB is home to the 6th Air Refueling Wing (6 ARW), which is augmented by the Air Force Reserve Command's 927th Air Refueling Wing and 63d Air Refueling Squadron, also flying KC-135s. The base also houses the headquarters for two of the U.S. military's unified combatant commands: the United States Central Command and the United States Special Operations Command. Additionally, two subunified commands are headquartered at MacDill AFB: Commander, United States Marine Corps Forces Central Command, and United States Special Operations Command Central.
In 2019, it was discovered that the grounds of MacDill AFB contained a former African-American graveyard. Archival city records indicated that the site was a segregation-era burial ground for Black families between 1840 and 1920. As of January 2024, Air Force officials have announced the potential discovery of 121 unmarked graves, and the search and community outreach efforts continue.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several airports in Tampa, Florida. These include Tampa International Airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, Tampa Executive Airport, and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is located just 8 miles from Tampa, making it the closest major airport to the city.
Yes, in addition to the major airports, there are several smaller airports and airfields in Tampa, including Plant City Municipal Airport, Peter O. Knight Airport, MacDill Air Force Base, and Geraci Airpark.
The airports in Tampa offer a range of features and amenities. For example, Tampa International Airport has the Blue Express Arrival & Departure Terminal, which has been praised by travellers for its convenience and efficiency. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is known for its helpful service, friendly staff, and clean surroundings.
Yes, there are several airports located within a reasonable distance from Tampa. These include Orlando International Airport (85 miles away), Orlando Sanford International Airport (111 miles away), and Daytona Beach International Airport (136 miles away).
