Southwest Florida's Airports: A Comprehensive Guide

Southwest Florida is served by Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), which is located in South Fort Myers, and is one of the newest airports in the United States. The airport is a major county-owned facility, serving the Southwest Florida region, including the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Naples-Marco Island, and Punta Gorda metropolitan areas. Another airport in the region is Punta Gorda Airport, which is off I-75 on Florida's southwest coast between Sarasota and Ft. Myers.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

The airport is committed to providing the region's commercial air service while offering an exceptional travel experience. RSW served more than 10 million passengers in 2023 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. In 2024, the airport served 11,028,182 passengers, the most in its history. The airport is currently the second-busiest single-runway airport in the United States, after San Diego International Airport, California.

The Lee County Port Authority was established in 1987 to operate Southwest Florida International Airport and Page Field. The Port Authority is an enterprise fund, entirely supported by revenue generated from its operations. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used in airport operations or expansion. The Port Authority is governed by a five-member Board of Port Commissioners, who are elected for four-year terms by voters throughout Lee County, with each commissioner representing a specific geographic district.

The airport has a convenient location, with quick access to Interstate 75 and U.S. 41, putting all the attractions of the region within easy driving distance. Visitors can go from bag claim to beach in under 30 minutes. RSW provides nonstop service to 72 destinations by 15 air carriers, with nonstop service throughout the U.S. and international service to Canada and Germany.

Punta Gorda Airport

Southwest Florida is served by a few airports, including the Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Lee County, and the Punta Gorda Airport.

The airport has been a base for general aviation, but has expanded to include scheduled airline services. Allegiant Air, for example, offers flights to fifty-one destinations. The airport has also been home to the Florida International Air Show since 1981, with proceeds going to local charities.

In the year ending December 31, 2023, the airport recorded 103,252 aircraft operations, averaging 283 per day, with 404 aircraft based at the airport.

RSW's expansion plans

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is undergoing a $331 million terminal expansion project to improve airport efficiency and enhance the overall passenger experience. The project, which began in October 2021, is expected to take three years to complete.

The expansion includes consolidating the Transportation Security Administration checkpoints into a new 16-lane configuration, providing additional seating, and adding concession spaces and a business lounge. More than 164,000 square feet of space will be remodelled, and 117,000 square feet of new walkways and concession space will be constructed.

The project is being funded through various means, including grants from the Florida Department of Transportation, Passenger Facility Charges, airport revenue bonds, and Lee County Port Authority construction funds. Importantly, no ad valorem (property) taxes are being used for the expansion, as the Lee County Port Authority is an enterprise fund supported by revenue generated from its operations.

The RSW Terminal Expansion Project is the second-largest public works project in Lee County's history, surpassed only by the airport's Midfield Terminal Complex construction, which was completed in 2005. As part of the expansion, crosswalk closures between the terminal building and the parking garage have been implemented, with specific crosswalks designated for passengers, visitors, and employees transiting to and from the terminal.

Airlines that use RSW

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located in Fort Myers and serves Southwest Florida, Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Ft. Myers Beach, Naples, Golden Gate, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte. RSW is a large airport with flights to 72 destinations and 15 airlines offering scheduled passenger services. The airport is owned and operated by the Lee County Port Authority, which is funded entirely by revenue generated from its operations.

The airline with the most departures from RSW is Southwest Airlines, with around 127 scheduled take-offs each week. Southwest Airlines offers flights to over 100 destinations, including the southeast coast of Florida, with its boardwalks and tours of the Everglades, and Tampa, located in the Tampa Bay area. The airline also offers vacation packages with travel deals to various destinations.

Delta is the second-largest operator at RSW, with flights to destinations such as Daytona Beach and Montego Bay. Other airlines that operate from RSW include Spirit Airlines, which offers flights to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Sun Country, which provides low-cost, non-stop air service to over 50 destinations. Allegiant also operates from RSW and has teamed up with Punta Gorda Airport to host a hiring event for seasonal roles.

In addition to the airlines mentioned, other carriers that may offer flights from RSW include Air India, which operates flights from Boston to Delhi, and Philippine Airlines, which flies from San Francisco to Davao.

RSW's awards

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the award-winning Lee County Port Authority-operated airport serving Southwest Florida, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and many other destinations in the region. The airport has won the W. Gordon Smith and Mrs Jay Gordonsmith Award. The Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) also recognises RSW with its Community-Research Partnership Award, which was launched at the 2025 Conference to honour collaborative research that advances community science and addresses complex social problems.

The Punta Gorda Airport is another airport in Southwest Florida. It is owned and operated by the Charlotte County Airport Authority and is an important transportation and economic asset for the region, providing hundreds of on-site jobs and contributing $1.7 billion in total economic output.

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