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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 is a medium-sized, multi-use airport with two intersecting runways. The airport code PIE stands for Pinellas International Airport, the original name of the airport.
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What You'll Learn
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport's history
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE, ICAO: KPIE, FAA LID: PIE) is a medium-sized, multi-use airport in Pinellas County, Florida, United States, serving the Tampa Bay Area. The airport is situated 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 began as a World War II military training base, known as the Pinellas Army Airfield. After the war, the U.S. government returned the property to Pinellas County, and it became a civil airport, originally called Pinellas International Airport. The identifier "PIE" originated during this time and is still used today.
In the 1950s, several major U.S. airlines served both St. Petersburg–Clearwater (PIE) and the nearby Tampa International Airport (TPA), including Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, National Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. In 1958, the airport's name was changed to St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport, as tourists were reportedly unfamiliar with the location of Pinellas County.
The airport was the original home to two of the first scheduled air freight airlines in the United States: U.S. Airlines, which operated domestic routes to northern cities, and Aerovias Sud Americana (also known as ASA International Airlines), which had routes to Latin America. ASA specialised in flying livestock, and the airport had animal pens to facilitate this unique operation.
Today, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport remains a destination for low-cost carriers and is a focus city for Allegiant Air. The airport supports general, corporate, and military aviation with its two major runways. It is also home to USCG Air Station Clearwater, US Army Reserve Aviation, and numerous flight schools.
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PIE's location and transport links
St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE, ICAO: KPIE, FAA LID: PIE) is a public/military airport located in Clearwater, Florida, United States. It is situated on the west shoreline of Tampa Bay, 6-9 miles north of St. Petersburg, 7 miles southeast of Clearwater, and 17 miles southwest of Tampa. The airport is positioned on State Route 686 (Roosevelt Blvd.), with its address being 14700 Terminal Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33762.
The airport is easily accessible via the Gateway Expressway Toll Road, and real-time traffic updates for the region can be found through the Florida Department of Transportation's 511 Traveler Information System. This system provides valuable information on travel times, construction, lane closures, crashes, congestion, and more, across all of Florida's interstates, toll roads, and major roadways.
St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is a medium-sized, multi-use airport that serves a mix of civil and military aviation, flight training operations, air carriers, and a law-enforcement aviation unit. The airport has two intersecting runways, RWY 4/22 and RWY 18/36, and its airspace is designated as Class D, sitting below Tampa's Class B Airspace.
The airport has a rich history, originally constructed as a military flight-training base after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Known as Pinellas Army Airfield during World War II, it served as a base for the 304th Fighter Squadron, 337th Fighter Group, operating P-40 Warhawks and P-51 Mustangs. After the war, the airport was returned to Pinellas County and renamed Pinellas International Airport, later changing to St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport in 1958 to boost its recognition as a tourism destination.
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Airlines and flights serving PIE
St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE, ICAO: KPIE, FAA LID: PIE) is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida, 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.
History
After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the airfield was constructed as a military flight-training base for the 304th Fighter Squadron, a combat training unit of the 337th Fighter Group (Third Army Air Force). Following WWII, the airport property was given to Pinellas County to operate as a commercial airport. It was originally called the Pinellas International Airport and was later renamed the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in 1958 to capitalise on its recognition as a tourism destination. In 2013, the airport was rebranded and its name was shortened to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport.
St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is a medium-sized, multi-use airport that serves a variety of civil and military aircraft, flight training operations, air carriers, and a law-enforcement aviation unit. The airport has two intersecting runways and offers more than 60 non-stop flight destinations.
Several major U.S. airlines have served the airport in the past, including Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, National Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. Eastern Air Lines was the last scheduled airline at PIE during the mid-1960s and ended its flights from the airport in 1964. Scheduled air service returned to PIE in 1972 with Air Florida, which operated intrastate airline flights to Miami and Orlando.
Today, St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport is a focus city for Allegiant Air, a budget-friendly airline that offers nonstop services to major cities across the United States. Sun Country Airlines is another carrier that serves PIE, providing user-friendly booking and in-flight amenities such as complimentary beverages and premium seating.
There are three popular routes to St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport from within the United States:
- From McGhee Tyson Airport, with an average flight time of 1 hour and 43 minutes.
- From Gerald R. Ford International Airport, with an average flight time of 2 hours and 48 minutes.
- From Tampa International Airport (10 miles away), which handles most scheduled airline traffic in the Tampa Bay Area.
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PIE's facilities and amenities
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is a medium-sized multi-use airport located in Clearwater, Florida, just north of St. Petersburg. The airport is situated 9 miles southwest of Tampa International Airport (TPA), 9 miles northwest of MacDill Air Force Base, and 9 miles north/northwest from Albert Whited Airport (SPG).
Facilities and Amenities:
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport offers a range of facilities and amenities to enhance the travel experience of its passengers. Here are some of the key features:
- Transport Options: The airport provides various ground transportation options, including car rentals from major companies such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz. Taxi services and ride-sharing options like Uber and Lyft are also available at designated pick-up and drop-off points.
- Dining and Shopping: The terminal has several dining options, including Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. Passengers can also find newsstands, a duty-free store, and other shopping choices.
- ATMs and Charging Stations: For added convenience, ATMs and charging stations are located throughout the airport, ensuring passengers can access cash and stay connected.
- Art and Exhibits: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport showcases the work of renowned Florida artists, including Guy Kemper, Duncan McClellan, and Elle Leonard. The airport displays a diverse range of media, from glass and ceramics to paintings and mixed media installations. Temporary exhibits, in collaboration with the Morean Art Center of St. Petersburg, also feature prominently. Additionally, the airport houses a permanent exhibit commemorating its history as a military flight-training base during World War II.
- Kids' Play Zones and Pet Relief Areas: To cater to families, the airport provides dedicated play areas for children and a "bark park" for dogs, ensuring a more enjoyable travel experience for all.
- Translation and Language Assistance: The airport offers foreign language assistance at the Visitor Info Booth in Baggage Claim, providing helpful tips and information in multiple languages.
- Nursing and Special Needs Facilities: The airport also caters to nursing mothers and special needs passengers with dedicated Mamava pods accessible via the "Mamava" app or by calling for an access code.
With ongoing enhancements and a focus on passenger experience, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) strives to provide a comprehensive range of facilities and amenities to meet the diverse needs of its travellers.
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PIE's role in aviation history
St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, also known as PIE, is a public/military airport in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is situated on the west shoreline of Tampa Bay, just north of St. Petersburg—the birthplace of commercial air transportation.
The airport was originally constructed in 1941 as a military flight-training base following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Known then as the Pinellas Army Airfield, it was a base for the 304th Fighter Squadron, a combat training unit of the 337th Fighter Group (Third Army Air Force). During World War II, the airfield played a crucial role in training pilots and housing P-40 Warhawks and P-51 Mustangs fighter planes.
After World War II, the U.S. government transferred the airport to Pinellas County, and it began operating as a commercial airport. The original terminal building was dedicated in 1957, and the airport was renamed the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. During the 1950s and 1960s, several major U.S. airlines served the airport, including Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, National Airlines, and Northwest Airlines.
Today, PIE is a medium-sized, multi-use airport serving a range of civil and military aviation needs. It is home to the USCG Air Station Clearwater, the largest and busiest U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in the country. The airport has also been the site of several notable aviation incidents, including crashes during training flights and practice landings.
PIE continues to play an important role in aviation, providing a hub for low-cost carriers and various aviation operations. Its location in Pinellas County, serving the Tampa Bay Area, makes it an essential part of the region's transportation infrastructure.
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Frequently asked questions
PIE stands for Pinellas International Airport, the original name of the airport.
The airport is located in Clearwater, Florida, on the west shoreline of Tampa Bay, 9 miles north of St. Petersburg.
The airport was constructed in 1941 as a military flight-training base following the attack on Pearl Harbor. After World War II, the airport was given to Pinellas County to operate as a commercial airport. In 1958, it was renamed St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport.
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