Pie Airport: What's In A Name?

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE) is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida, serving the Tampa Bay Area. The airport's three-letter designation, PIE, is derived from its original name, Pinellas International Airport.

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport's IATA code is PIE

The airport was originally named the Pinellas County Army Airfield when it was constructed in 1941 as a military flight-training base. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Army Air Forces acquired the base and renamed it Pinellas Army Airfield. Following World War II, the airfield was returned to Pinellas County by the U.S. government to operate as a civil airport. It was renamed Pinellas International Airport and given the airport call letters, PIE.

In 1958, the airport was renamed St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport to highlight its location on tourist-friendly Tampa Bay, north of St. Petersburg. This name change aimed to attract more tourists to the area. In 2013, the airport underwent another rebranding, shortening its name to St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport and adopting a new logo.

The IATA code PIE has been leveraged in the airport's marketing and branding, with slogans such as "Fly2PIE" and "Tampa Bay The Easy Way." The three-letter designation is easy to market and helps with brand identification when booking flights online.

The St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport has a rich history, playing a significant role during World War II and also being recognised as the birthplace of commercial air transportation. Today, the airport continues to serve the Tampa Bay Area, offering convenient and low-cost flights to various destinations.

PIE is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida, USA

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE, ICAO: KPIE, FAA LID: PIE) is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida, United States, serving the Tampa Bay Area. The airport is located on the west shoreline of Tampa Bay, six miles (10 km) north of St. Petersburg, Florida, which is known as the "'birthplace of commercial air transportation'.

The airport was originally named Pinellas International Airport, and the IATA designation PIE was derived from this original name. In 1958, the airport was renamed St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport to emphasise its location on tourist-friendly Tampa Bay, north of St. Petersburg.

The airport started out as Pinellas County Army Air Field in 1941, and was acquired by the United States Army Air Forces after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was used as a military flight training base, housing the 304th Fighter Squadron, a combat training unit of the 337th Fighter Group.

After World War II, the airport property was returned to Pinellas County by the U.S. government to operate as a civil airport. In 2013, the airport was rebranded and shortened its name to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, adopting a new logo.

The airport covers 1900 acres (769 ha) of land and has two asphalt runways. It is home to the Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, the largest and busiest U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in the United States. The airport also has a 24-hour airport rescue and fire-fighting (ARFF) department and provides employment for over 3,000 people.

The airport was originally called Pinellas International Airport

Following World War II, the airport was returned to Pinellas County by the U.S. government to operate as a civil airport. It was renamed the Pinellas International Airport and given the airport call letters PIE, and the IATA designation, because PIA was already taken by Peoria International Airport. The original terminal building was dedicated in 1957.

The airport's location on Tampa Bay, north of St. Petersburg, is credited as the birthplace of commercial air transportation. On January 1, 1914, just a decade after the Wright Brothers' first flight, the first ticket for air travel was sold by the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line to a fare-paying passenger.

In 1958, the airport was renamed St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport to capitalise on its location as a tourism destination. The name was shortened to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in 2013, and the airport adopted a new logo.

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is home to Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE, ICAO: KPIE, FAA LID: PIE) is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida, United States, serving the Tampa Bay Area. It is located on the west shoreline of Tampa Bay, 9 miles (14 km) north of downtown St. Petersburg, 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Clearwater, and 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Tampa.

The airport is home to Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, the largest and busiest U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in the country. The Air Station operates HC-130 Hercules and MH-60T Jayhawk aircraft.

The airport's history dates back to 1941 when it was constructed as a military flight-training base known as Pinellas Army Airfield. After World War II, the U.S. government transferred the property to Pinellas County to operate as a commercial airport, originally named Pinellas International Airport. In 1958, the airport was renamed St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport to emphasise its location in a popular tourist destination. The name was further shortened to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in 2013, along with the adoption of a new logo.

The airport covers 1900 acres (769 ha) and features two asphalt runways: Runway 18/36, which is 9,730 feet (2,966 m) long, and Runway 04/22, which is 6,000 feet (1,829 m) long. In addition to the Coast Guard Air Station, other notable facilities and services at the airport include the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the FAA-operated control tower, and the Airport Industrial Park.

The airport's new slogan is Tampa Bay the Easy Way

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE) is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida, serving the Tampa Bay Area. The airport's three-letter designation, PIE, is derived from its former name, Pinellas International Airport, which was changed in 1958 to St-Pete Clearwater International to emphasise its location on tourist-friendly Tampa Bay, north of St. Petersburg.

The airport's new slogan, "Tampa Bay the Easy Way", reflects its focus on providing convenient, low-cost, and nonstop flights for Tampa Bay residents. The slogan also highlights the airport's accessibility and ease of travel, making it a preferred choice for travellers seeking a straightforward and efficient travel experience.

The slogan, "Tampa Bay the Easy Way", captures the essence of what the airport offers: a seamless and relaxed journey to and from Tampa Bay. With its convenient location, modern facilities, and efficient services, the airport ensures that passengers can travel to their destination with ease and comfort.

The slogan's reference to "Tampa Bay" emphasises the airport's proximity to the popular tourist destination. Tampa Bay is known for its vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and diverse attractions, making it a sought-after leisure travel destination. By incorporating "Tampa Bay" in the slogan, the airport reinforces its commitment to serving the Tampa Bay community and promoting the region's tourism industry.

Additionally, the slogan's use of the phrase "the Easy Way" underscores the airport's dedication to simplicity and convenience. This phrase conveys that choosing St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is a hassle-free option, offering travellers a straightforward and uncomplicated travel experience. Whether it's the booking process, navigation within the airport, or the efficiency of its flight schedules, the airport strives to make every aspect of the travel journey as effortless as possible.

Overall, the slogan, "Tampa Bay the Easy Way", effectively communicates the benefits and advantages of choosing St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport. It invites travellers to explore Tampa Bay through a seamless travel experience, making it a preferred gateway to this desirable destination.

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