Tampa's Airports: A Comprehensive Guide To Air Travel

Tampa, Florida, is home to 16 airports, both public and private. These include Tampa International Airport, which has been ranked #1 by Airports Council International for two years in a row, as well as St Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Tampa Executive Airport, and Peter O Knight Airport. Smaller airports in the area include Clearwater Airpark, Albert Whitted Airport, and Bartow Executive Airport.

Tampa International Airport

Albert Whitted Airport is located in St Petersburg near the University of South Florida. It has been open since 1929 and is owned by the City of St Petersburg. Bartow Executive Airport is located at 5993 Airport Boulevard, Bartow, FL, and is owned by the Bartow Municipal Airport Development Authority. It opened in 1967 and is known for its rich history. Clearwater Air Park is located northeast of the central business district of Clearwater and is owned by the City of Clearwater. It opened in the 1950s.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport

The airport has seen significant growth and, in 2014, handled over one million passengers, setting a record. St. Pete-Clearwater remains a destination for low-cost carriers and is a focus city for Allegiant Air. The airport has one terminal with two gate areas, known as the A-Side and B-Side. In 2021, the airport recorded 146,494 aircraft operations, averaging 401 operations per day, with 78% general aviation, 10% commercial, 6% air taxi, and 6% military.

Bartow Executive Airport

Tampa, Florida, is home to 16 airports, both public and private. One of these is the Bartow Executive Airport, a public airport located four miles (6 km) northeast of Bartow, in Polk County, Florida. Covering 1,846 acres (747 ha), the airport is owned and managed by the Bartow Airport Authority, which also operates a flight school, an air traffic control tower, an FBO, and an industrial park on the premises.

The history of the airport dates back to 1941 when Bartow Mayor C.E. Williams initiated the city's land acquisition for what became the Bartow Municipal Airport. The US government took over the site in 1942 and used it as a training field. After World War II, the airport was returned to the City of Bartow, and from 1945 to 1950, a fixed-base operator (FBO) managed the airfield. During this time, military barracks were converted into apartments for returning veterans.

In 1951, the installation was renamed the Bartow Air Base and served as a primary flight training facility for the USAF's Air Training Command (ATC) until 1960. Following the end of USAF operations in 1961, the facility was transferred back to the city, and the aviation facilities were leased to a fixed-base operator once more. In 1964, the City requested permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to transform a large building area into an industrial park, which opened in 1967. In 2019, the airport and industrial park were renamed Bartow Executive Airport, reflecting its modern purpose and usage.

Clearwater Air Park

There are several airports in Tampa, Florida, including the well-known Tampa International Airport, which has been ranked highly by the Airports Council International. However, let's focus on the Clearwater Air Park, a smaller airport in the region.

The airpark has a single runway, 16/34, accompanied by an adjoining taxiway. Runway 34 is designed with a right traffic pattern to minimise noise for nearby residents. Take-offs and landings are permitted from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., ensuring undisturbed rest for the surrounding community during late nights and early mornings.

Beyond the basic airport functions, Clearwater Air Park provides a diverse set of services catering to various aviation-related needs. Aircraft sales, flight instruction, aerial sightseeing, and aerial photography are just some of the additional offerings available at the airpark. Whether it's purchasing a new aircraft or enjoying the thrill of aerial sightseeing, the airport ensures a comprehensive aviation experience for its users.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

The airport is served by several airlines, including Allegiant, Breeze Airways, and Frontier Airlines, which offer nonstop flights to various destinations. For example, in June 2024, Allegiant introduced nonstop flights to Portsmouth International Airport (PSM) in New Hampshire. In the same month, the airport saw a 9.2% increase in passenger traffic compared to the previous year, with a total of 337,656 passengers travelling through.

The airport has a range of hotels in the nearby area, including business-friendly options with free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. These hotels are well-reviewed, with guests praising the pool, staff, and restaurant facilities. Overall, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport offers a convenient and efficient travel experience, with easy access to a range of destinations across the United States.

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