Florida's Airports: A Comprehensive Guide To Air Travel

Florida's aviation system is expansive, with over 125 public-use airports, including 19 primary commercial service airports, and 11 military aviation facilities. The state's busiest airports are Miami International, Orlando International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, and Tampa International. In this article, we will explore the airports that make up this vast aviation network, including both commercial and general aviation airports, as well as some notable private-use and former airports.

International airports in Florida

Florida is home to numerous beaches and amusement parks, attracting thousands of travellers from around the world each year. The state has superior air connectivity, with many international and domestic airports.

The busiest airports in Florida are Miami International, Orlando International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, and Tampa International.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Miami International is the largest airport in Florida, serving as a major gateway between the United States and Latin America. It is the tenth busiest airport in the United States, with over 44.5 million passengers in 2016. It is one of the few airports in the country that can accommodate the Airbus A380 jumbo jet.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Orlando International is the second busiest airport in Florida and the 13th busiest in the US as of 2016, with more than 41.9 million passengers. It is a focus airport for JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airways.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

Located near Hollywood, Florida, this airport is a hub for Caribbean Airlines, Allegiant Air, and JetBlue Airways. Its proximity to Port Everglades makes it a popular choice for tourists headed to the Caribbean.

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Tampa International is publicly owned and serves as a hub for Silver Airways. It offers many daily Southwest flights and serves over seventy destinations, including international flights to North America, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. It also hosts regular charters to several Cuban cities. In 2016, it was the 21st busiest airport in the US by passenger movement, handling approximately 29.2 million passengers.

In addition to these major airports, several other international airports serve Florida, including Palm Beach International Airport, Daytona Beach International Airport, and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

Commercial airports in Florida

Florida's aviation system includes over 125 public-use airports, 19 of which are primary commercial service airports. These airports are economic hubs, directly employing over 18,000 people and hosting over 5,000 businesses. They also support air cargo services, connecting long-distance domestic and international markets to companies in the state.

Charlotte County Airport

This airport is located in Punta Gorda, Florida, and is a popular option for those travelling to the Gulf Coast. It is a small airport, with limited flight options, but it offers easy access to nearby beaches and attractions.

Gainesville Regional Airport

Gainesville Regional Airport is a convenient option for those travelling to North Central Florida. It is located in Gainesville, Florida, and offers a range of amenities, including car rental services and dining options.

Tallahassee International Airport

Serving the state capital of Florida, Tallahassee International Airport is a relatively small airport with a range of facilities. It is located just a few miles from Florida State University and offers easy access to the city's downtown area.

Daytona Beach International Airport

As the name suggests, this airport is located in the famous racing destination of Daytona Beach, Florida. It is a relatively small airport but offers convenient access to the area's beaches and racing events.

Southwest Florida International Airport

Located in Fort Myers, this airport serves the Southwest region of Florida. It is a popular option for travellers heading to nearby beach destinations, such as Sanibel Island and Captiva Island.

Palm Beach International Airport

Palm Beach International Airport serves the Greater Miami area and is a prominent airport in Florida. It is a hub for several major airlines, including Air Canada, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

Public airports in Florida

Florida's aviation system includes over 125 public-use airports, including 19 primary commercial service airports. The busiest airports in Florida are Miami International, Orlando International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, and Tampa International.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

The largest airport in Florida, Miami International, serves as a major gateway between the United States and Latin America. It is the tenth busiest airport in the United States, with over 44.5 million passengers in 2016. Miami International is among the eight airports in the country with the capability to accommodate the massive Airbus A380 jumbo jet.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Orlando International is the second busiest airport in Florida and the 13th busiest airport in the United States as of 2016, with more than 41.9 million passengers. It is a focus airport for JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airways.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

Located near Hollywood, Florida, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a hub for Caribbean Airlines, Allegiant Air, and JetBlue Airways. The airport's proximity to Port Everglades makes it a popular choice for tourists headed to the Caribbean.

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Tampa International is publicly owned by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority and is a hub for Silver Airways. It serves over seventy destinations, including international flights to North America, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. It also offers regular charters to Cuban cities like Havana, Santa Clara, Camagüey, and Holguín. In 2016, Tampa International was the 21st busiest airport in the USA by passenger movement, handling approximately 29.2 million passengers.

Other Public Airports in Florida

In addition to the major international airports mentioned above, there are several other public airports in Florida, including:

• Tavares Seaplane Base
• South Lakeland Airport
• Orlando Apopka Airport
• Fort Walton Beach Airport
• Jack Browns Seaplane Base
• Massey Ranch Airpark
• Wakulla County Airport
• Tallahassee Commercial Airport
• St. George Island Airport
• Carrabelle-Thompson Airport
• Brooksville / Spring Hill
• Pilot Country Airport
• Halifax River Seaplane Base
• Ocean Reef Club Airport
• Chalet Suzanne Air Strip
• New Hibiscus Airpark

General airports in Florida

Florida's aviation system includes over 125 public-use airports, including several general aviation airports. General aviation airports are the largest single group of airports in the US airport system.

• Pompano Beach Airpark
• Bartow Municipal Airport
• Zephyrhills Municipal Airport
• Apalachicola Regional Airport-Cleve Randolph Field
• Arcadia Municipal Airport
• Avon Park Executive Airport
• Belle Glade State Municipal Airport
• Calhoun County Airport
• Brooksville–Tampa Bay Regional Airport
• Crystal River Airport-Captain Tom Davis Field
• DeFuniak Springs Airport
• DeLand Municipal Airport (Sidney H. Taylor Field)
• Destin Executive Airport
• Marion County Airport
• Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport
• Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport
• Immokalee Regional Airport
• Keystone Heights Airport (Keystone Airpark)
• LaBelle Municipal Airport
• Lake City Gateway Airport (was Lake City Municipal)
• Lake Wales Municipal Airport
• Leesburg International Airport
• Suwannee County Airport
• The Florida Keys Marathon International Airport
• Marco Island Executive Airport
• Marianna Municipal Airport
• Merritt Island Airport
• Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport
• Miami Seaplane Base (was Watson Island Int'l SPB)
• Naples Municipal Airport
• New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport
• Ocala International Airport (Jim Taylor Field)
• Okeechobee County Airport
• Ormond Beach Municipal Airport
• Palm Beach County Glades Airport
• Palatka Municipal Airport (Lt. Kay Larkin Field)
• Flagler Executive Airport
• Quincy Municipal Airport
• Sebastian Municipal Airport
• Sebring Regional Airport
• Northeast Florida Regional Airport
• Space Coast Regional Airport
• Umatilla Municipal Airport
• Wauchula Municipal Airport
• Williston Municipal Airport
• Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport

Military airports in Florida

Florida has 11 military aviation facilities, with numerous off-airport businesses relying on the aviation system to transport personnel, goods, and services. Here is a list of some of the military airports in Florida:

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport/Eglin Air Force Base

Eglin Air Force Base is located in Okaloosa County, Florida, and is home to the 33rd Fighter Wing, the 53rd Wing, and the 96th Test Wing. The base is also used for testing and evaluation of new aircraft and weapons systems. The airport is a joint civil-military airport, serving as a commercial airport for the surrounding area.

MacDill Air Force Base

MacDill Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the 6th Air Mobility Wing, which includes the 50th Air Refueling Squadron and the 91st Air Refueling Squadron. The base also houses the United States Central Command and the United States Special Operations Command.

Homestead Joint Air Reserve Base

Homestead Air Reserve Base is a United States Air Force base located in Homestead, Florida. It is home to the 482nd Fighter Wing, which includes the 93rd Fighter Squadron and the 94th Fighter Squadron. The base is also used as a training site for the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard.

NAS Jacksonville (Towers Field)

NAS Jacksonville is a United States Navy naval air station located in Jacksonville, Florida. It is home to the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 and the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40. The base also houses the United States Marine Corps' Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 and the United States Coast Guard's Coast Guard Air Station Jacksonville.

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is a United States Space Force base located in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is home to the 45th Space Wing, which is responsible for supporting space launch operations for the United States and its allies. The base is also used for testing and evaluating new space technologies.

Florida's military airports have a long history, with many established during World War II for antisubmarine defense and training purposes. These airfields played a crucial role in the war effort, and many were later converted into municipal or civilian airports. Today, Florida's military airports continue to be important economic hubs, providing employment and transportation services to the state.

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