Owais Crawford
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the airport that serves Fort Myers Beach. It is located in South Fort Myers, Florida, and is one of the top 50 busiest airports in the US. The airport opened in 1983 and has been expanded several times since then to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. In 2024, the airport served 11,028,182 passengers, the most in its history. The airport offers international and nonstop domestic services from many cities and is known for its modern terminal, easy navigation, and convenient access to nearby beaches and attractions.
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What You'll Learn
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
The airport serves the Southwest Florida region, including the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Naples-Marco Island, and Punta Gorda metropolitan areas. It is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection port of entry and has been recognised for its operations and programs by various agencies, including J.D. Power & Associates and the Florida Department of Transportation.
Southwest Florida International Airport first opened in 1983 as Southwest Florida Regional Airport and was served by several major airlines, including Air Florida Commuter, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. By 1985, several additional airlines were serving the airport, and in 1986, American Trans Air began service to Fort Myers with flights to Indianapolis International Airport. The airport was renamed Southwest Florida International Airport in 1993 and has since become one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic, serving more than 10 million passengers annually.
The airport has a single runway, designated as runway 06/24, with plans for a second runway in effect. The terminal buildings can be expanded incrementally to accommodate up to 65 gates on five concourses. In addition, the airport offers free Wi-Fi and has been praised for its modern design and efficient baggage claim process.
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Fort Myers airport history
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the airport that serves Fort Myers Beach. The airport is located in South Fort Myers, southeast of the beach itself, and covers 13,555 acres of land, making it the third-largest airport in the United States in terms of land size.
History
The airport opened in May 1983 as Southwest Florida Regional Airport, with Delta Air Lines operating the first flight. At the time, the airport was served by nine airlines, including Air Florida Commuter, Continental Airlines, Eastern Air Lines, and United Airlines. By 1985, several more airlines had joined, including American Airlines and USAir. In 1986, American Trans Air began service to Fort Myers with flights to Indianapolis International Airport, and in 1988, the airport exceeded its annual capacity of 3 million passengers.
In 1993, the airport was renamed Southwest Florida International Airport, though it had been hosting international flights since 1984. The name change coincided with the completion of a 55,000-square-foot Federal Inspection facility annexed to the original terminal's Concourse A. In 1994, Fort Myers saw its first flight to Europe with a route connecting Munich, Düsseldorf, Fort Myers, Miami, Düsseldorf, and Munich.
By 2004, the airport was serving nearly 7 million passengers annually, and in 2024, it served 11,028,182 passengers, the most in its history. Today, the airport continues to serve as a major gateway to Fort Myers and the surrounding areas, offering both international and nonstop domestic services.
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Fort Myers airport facilities
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the closest airport to Fort Myers Beach, located approximately 30 minutes away. The airport is situated in the South Fort Myers area of unincorporated Lee County, Florida, and is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection port of entry. With over 10 million annual passengers, it is one of the top 50 U.S. airports by passenger volume.
The airport covers 13,555 acres of land, making it the third-largest airport in the United States in terms of land size. It has one runway, designated as runway 06/24, with a length of 12,000 feet and an asphalt surface. There are plans for a second runway. The airport has a design capacity of 10 million passengers per year, with 28 gates across three concourses (B, C, and D). However, the terminal buildings can be expanded to accommodate up to 65 gates across five concourses (A-E).
In terms of parking, there are 11,250 spaces for hourly and daily parking located near the main terminal building and the facility's entrance. Additionally, there is a three-story parking structure adjacent to the main terminal for short-term parking. For those picking up arriving passengers, there is a 30-space "cell-phone lot."
The airport offers nonstop flights to 72-74 destinations through 15 airlines, providing convenient connections to cities throughout the U.S. and internationally to Canada, Cuba, and Europe. Visitor information booths can be found in the upper-level atriums and lower-level baggage claim areas, where travellers can seek assistance from tourism ambassadors and obtain directions, maps, and information about attractions in and around Fort Myers.
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Fort Myers airport parking
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located in the South Fort Myers area of unincorporated Lee County, Florida. The airport is a major county-owned airport, serving over 10 million passengers annually. It is one of the top 50 US airports, and the second-busiest single-runway airport in the country.
Fort Myers Airport has 11,250 spaces for hourly and daily parking located around the main terminal building and the entrance to the facility. There is also a three-story parking structure adjacent to the main terminal for short-term parking. A 30-space "cell-phone lot" is available for customers picking up arriving passengers.
There are also off-airport parking options right next to the airport, including covered parking, valet parking, and discounted rates on pre-paid parking reservations. A convenient shuttle service is available to and from the airport.
Beach parking fees at Fort Myers must be paid through mobile payment systems.
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Fort Myers airport reviews
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the airport that serves Fort Myers Beach. It is located in South Fort Myers, in unincorporated Lee County, Florida, and is about 10 miles southeast of Fort Myers. The airport has been recognised by several agencies for its operations and programs, including by J.D. Power & Associates in their 2018 North American Airport Satisfaction Study, where it ranked 3rd in the medium category (under 10 million passengers).
Reviews for the airport are mixed. One reviewer praised the airport, calling it "great", and commending the shuttle and parking employees as "the best". They also noted that the employees were "nice and very helpful". However, another reviewer criticised the staff, calling them "extremely rude", and saying that they "spoke down to [them]". They also complained about the lack of facilities, including the lack of bathrooms, restaurants, and stores. Another review noted that the airport's Wi-Fi was "horrible".
The airport has a range of dining options, with one reviewer saying that the new terminal has "some cool-looking food-type places". However, another reviewer noted that there were long lines for pre-packaged food, and that breakfast food and coffee were unavailable at 9 am. The airport also has a parking structure, with 11,250 spaces for hourly and daily parking. However, one reviewer noted that parking in the cell lot was a "mess", with cars parked everywhere and causing congestion.
The airport is served by over a dozen airlines and offers international and nonstop domestic services from many cities. It is open 24 hours a day, although most flights are scheduled during the day or evening, and TSA checkpoints close at midnight. The airport is also recognised for its contribution to the region's economy, contributing $8.4 billion annually and supporting 64,000 jobs.
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Frequently asked questions
Southwest Florida International Airport.
RSW.
The airport served over 10 million passengers in 2024 and is one of the top 50 US airports for passenger traffic.
Fort Myers offers dreamy Gulf Coast beaches, gentle waterways, and cultural experiences. There are also museums, attractions, and parks to explore.
Fort Myers Beach has miles of paths for running or casual strolling. There are also parking lots available near the beach, but payments must be made through mobile payment systems.
