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The airport code VPS stands for Valparaiso Airport, also known as Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in Florida, USA. The airport is located in Valparaiso, Florida, and is only a 25-minute drive from Destin, making it a convenient gateway for travellers heading to the Emerald Coast. VPS airport has a range of amenities, including shopping and dining options, as well as efficient transportation services, making it a comfortable and stress-free travel experience for passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Valparaiso Airport, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, Northwest Florida Regional Airport |
| Airport Code | VPS |
| Location | Valparaiso, Florida, USA |
| Address | 1701 State Road 85 North, Eglin AFB, FL 32542 |
| Area | 6,500 acres |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Number of Terminals | 1 |
| Number of Gates | 11 |
| Parking | Short-term, long-term, and valet |
| Amenities | Emerald Coast Bar & Grill, snack kiosks, gift shops, free Wi-Fi, charging stations |
| Transportation | Rental cars, Uber, Lyft, taxis, hotel shuttles |
| Airlines | American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Allegiant Air, GLO Airlines, Vision Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Republic Airlines, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Eastern Metro Express, Air New Orleans |
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What You'll Learn
Valparaiso Airport
VPS stands for Valparaiso Airport, also known as Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in Florida, USA. The airport is located within Eglin Air Force Base, adjacent to Valparaiso and near the cities of Destin and Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County. The airport is just under 16 miles away from Destin and it takes approximately 25 minutes to get there. The physical address of Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is 1701 State Road 85 North, Eglin AFB, FL 32542.
The airport code VPS comes from the IATA (International Air Transport Association) code for Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. This code is used for identification and communication in the airline industry. Interestingly, VPS is also used as an acronym for Virtual Private Server, a type of web hosting service that provides a virtualised environment for running multiple independent operating systems on a single physical server. However, the VPS airport code is not directly connected to the concept of a Virtual Private Server, and the similarity is merely a coincidence.
In terms of airport facilities, the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport loop road is a two-lane asphalt road that is about 3/4 of a mile long. The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking options, which were improved in the early 2000s to comply with the Transportation Security Administration's "300-foot rule", ensuring a 300-foot distance between parked vehicles and the terminal building. The airport also shares runways with Eglin Air Force Base, with certain runways dedicated to commercial airlines and others used for military purposes.
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Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport
The airport has a 116,000 sq ft passenger terminal with five second-level gates and three ground-level gates, which opened in November 2004. The terminal has areas for ticketing and baggage claim, with gates on both levels. The first level has Gates A1, A2, and A3, as well as waiting and concession areas. The second-level concourse has Gates B1 to B6.
The airport was previously known as Northwest Florida Regional Airport until February 17, 2015, and before that, it was called Okaloosa Regional Airport until 2008. The airport has seen several airlines operate through its facilities, including GLO Airlines, Allegiant Air, Contour Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, Air New Orleans, Silver Airways, and Southwest Airlines.
Destin-Fort Walton Beach is a popular destination for its rich marine biodiversity, attracting fishermen from all over to participate in Cobia migration. The area also boasts amazing wildlife, including four species of sea turtles. The airport provides easy access to nearby attractions, and the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Visitor's Welcome Center is located right outside the baggage claim area, offering brochures, maps, discounted attraction tickets, and dining coupons.
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Emerald Coast access
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in Valparaiso, Florida, is the closest airport to the Emerald Coast. The airport shares runways with Eglin Air Force Base, and its physical address is 1701 State Road 85 North, Eglin AFB, FL 32542.
The Emerald Coast is a 100-mile stretch of Gulf Coast shoreline in the Panhandle, known for its clear, emerald-green waters and soft white sands. The area is dotted with sand dunes, often referred to as "Florida snow". The coastal area is also known for its food, and you can find many piers with restaurants, bars, and shops. The Navarre Beach pier is a popular spot for fishing, as it is Florida's longest fishing pier at 1,545 feet. Seaside, a short drive from the Emerald Coast's larger cities, is a popular destination, as it was a filming location for the movie "The Truman Show".
There are many public beach access points along the Emerald Coast, each offering unique features and amenities to suit different needs. Here are some of the well-known access points:
- M.B. Miller County Pier: This popular public beach access offers parking, restrooms, and an outdoor shower. It is also close to restaurants, and the pier provides a scenic spot for walking and fishing.
- Russell-Fields Pier (Pier Park): This iconic pier in Panama City Beach offers ample parking and family-friendly beach access. It is also near Pier Park, where there are shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
- Blue Mountain Beach: This beach has restrooms, parking, and seasonal lifeguards. It is located near local shops and dining, making it a perfect family destination.
- Grayton Beach State Park: Grayton Beach offers beautiful dunes, street parking, and freshwater showers. It is located behind the Red Bar, making it a favourite for both beach-goers and food enthusiasts.
- Seagrove Beach (Santa Clara Access): This ADA-accessible access is less crowded and offers parking, restrooms, and lifeguards. The peaceful surroundings make it ideal for families seeking a quieter beach day.
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Airline history
The Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport, also known as Valparaiso Airport, is located within Eglin Air Force Base, near Valparaiso, Destin, and Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County, Florida, USA. The IATA code for the airport is VPS, which is derived from the city of Valparaiso. The airport is about 16 miles from Destin and shares runways with the Eglin Air Force Base.
The airport has undergone several name changes throughout its history. It was previously known as the Northwest Florida Regional Airport until February 17, 2015, and before that, it was called the Okaloosa Regional Airport until September 2008. The Okaloosa County Air Terminal was established in 1957, with Southern Airways as the sole airline serving VPS, offering 12 departing flights daily. In 1967, Southern Airways introduced the Douglas DC-9-10 jetliner, becoming the first airline to operate jets into the airport.
In February 1975, the James E. Plew Terminal Building of the Okaloosa Air Terminal opened, with a dedication ceremony on February 22. By 1977, South Central Air Transport (SCAT), a commuter airline, had joined Southern Airways in serving the airport, offering flights to various destinations in the Southern United States. In July 1979, Southern Airways merged with North Central Airlines to form Republic Airlines, which continued to operate nonstop flights to Atlanta and other cities using DC-9 jets.
In the 1980s, Republic Airlines was the only airline providing nonstop service between VPS and Atlanta. Delta Air Lines and Eastern Air Lines later added nonstop services to Atlanta through their regional partners, Delta Connection and Eastern Metro Express, respectively. Northwest Airlines also served VPS with nonstop flights to Memphis, a former hub for Southern Airways. By 1987, Northwest had increased its schedule to four non-stops a day to Memphis using McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 and DC-9-50s.
In the 1990s, Valujet/Airtran began serving VPS, offering jet service with McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 jetliners. However, by the end of 2001, AirTran had discontinued its service to the airport. In 2004, the Okaloosa Regional Airport underwent a significant expansion, including additional parking, a new taxiway, landscaping, and a new passenger terminal. In 2012, US Airways launched nonstop flights to Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC.
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Airport facilities
Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport, also known as Valparaiso Airport, is located within Eglin Air Force Base, near Valparaiso, Destin, and Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. The airport's code, VPS, is derived from its name Valparaiso Airport.
The airport has undergone several name changes over the years. It was previously known as Northwest Florida Regional Airport until February 17, 2015, and before that, it was called Okaloosa Regional Airport until September 2008. The airport first opened in 1957 as the Okaloosa County Air Terminal, with Southern Airways as the only passenger airline operating direct flights to Atlanta with multiple stops in between.
In terms of facilities, the airport has expanded over the years to include more parking spaces and a larger aircraft parking apron. The airport also features a second parallel taxiway and a new passenger terminal spanning 110,000 square feet (10,000 square metres). This terminal expansion was completed in November 2004, costing $1.7 million. The airport's physical address is 1701 State Road 85 North, Eglin AFB, FL 32542.
Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport is served by various airlines, including Southern Airways, Northwest, and AirTran Airways. Southern Airways introduced the Douglas DC-9-10 jetliner to the airport in 1967, becoming the first airline to operate jets there. By 1968, they were offering daily nonstop flights to Atlanta and New York City, as well as direct flights to Washington, D.C., with intermediate stops. Northwest Airlines, which later merged with Delta Air Lines, also operated out of VPS, offering nonstop flights to Memphis. However, Delta eventually scaled back its operations from VPS, discontinuing the VPS-Memphis route in favour of nonstop flights to Atlanta. AirTran Airways served the airport in 1998 with jet service, operating nonstop flights to Atlanta and one-stop service to Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, AirTran ceased all service to the airport in 2001. More recently, Vision Airlines established a small scheduled passenger hub at VPS in 2011, offering flights to multiple destinations across the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code VPS stands for Valparaiso Airport, also known as Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in Florida, USA.
VPS airport has a range of amenities to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. These include the Emerald Coast Bar & Grill, snack kiosks, gift shops, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and both short-term and long-term parking facilities.
Major airlines operating from VPS airport include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Allegiant Air.
