
Orlando Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB, ICAO: KSFB, FAA LID: SFB) is a commercial airport in Sanford, Florida, United States. It is a public airport that was previously used as a Naval Air Station by the U.S. Navy. The airport is home to the L3 Harris Airline Academy, which provides flight training for prospective pilots. With its four runways, the airport offers fast and affordable travel options and is known for its efficient security lines.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Orlando Sanford International Airport's IATA, ICAO, and FAA LID codes
Orlando Sanford International Airport is a commercial, public-use airport in Sanford, Florida, United States, near Orlando. It was originally built as Naval Air Station Sanford, a Master Jet Base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft, and was used by the U.S. Navy until 1969. The airport is owned and operated by the Sanford Airport Authority and serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air.
The IATA, ICAO, and FAA LID codes are essential identifiers for airports worldwide. Each airport is assigned a unique set of codes that help in aviation navigation, flight planning, and traffic control.
The IATA code is a three-letter designator assigned by the International Air Transport Association. The IATA code for Orlando Sanford International Airport is 'SFB'. This code is often used in flight schedules, baggage tags, and airline reservation systems. It is a crucial identifier for the airport and is used by passengers, airlines, and travel agencies.
The ICAO code is a four-letter designator assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The ICAO code for Orlando Sanford International Airport is 'KSFB'. This code is primarily used for air traffic control and aviation navigation purposes. It helps identify the airport in flight plans, aeronautical charts, and air traffic control communications.
The FAA LID code, also known as the location identifier, is assigned by the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA LID code for Orlando Sanford International Airport is also 'SFB'. This code is used extensively in FAA's aviation databases, air traffic control facilities, and aeronautical publications. It is an essential identifier for the airport within the United States air traffic control system.
Bearing Airport Farewells: Tips for a Smooth Send-off
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The airport's history as Naval Air Station Sanford
Orlando Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB, ICAO: KSFB, FAA LID: SFB) was originally built as Naval Air Station Sanford. The airport is located in Sanford, Florida, approximately 20 miles north of Orlando, and was used by the U.S. Navy from 1942 until 1969.
Prior to its acquisition by the U.S. Navy, the Sanford Airport was an 865-acre civilian airfield with two runways owned by the City of Sanford. On June 11, 1942, the city deeded the facility to the U.S. Navy, and on November 3, 1942, Naval Air Station Sanford was commissioned as an active naval installation. NAS Sanford was initially assigned the airport codes NRJ and KNRJ. The base played an important role during World War II, serving as an advanced training base for land-based patrol bombers and carrier-based fighter aircraft. It had a peak wartime complement of approximately 360 officers and 1400 enlisted men, including personnel from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Naval Reserve.
Following the war, the Naval Air Station was briefly closed in 1946 and placed in caretaker status until it was reactivated in 1950 due to the Korean War and the Cold War. It underwent substantial upgrades and became a Master Jet Base for carrier-based heavy attack and reconnaissance aircraft. This included lengthening the main runway, constructing new hangars and support buildings, and improving navigational and fuel storage systems. The base also had morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) facilities, including a movie theater and lakeside recreational areas.
In 1969, the U.S. Navy decommissioned Naval Air Station Sanford, and the City of Sanford resumed control of the airport. The facility was renamed Sanford Airport and operated as a general aviation airport with periodic civilian and military air shows. Over time, the airport underwent renovations and expansions, including the construction of new terminals and runways capable of accommodating jet airliners. It has had various names, including Sanford Regional Airport, Central Florida Regional Airport, and Orlando Sanford Regional Airport, before finally becoming Orlando Sanford International Airport. Today, the airport continues to expand and develop, attracting investments to enhance its services and infrastructure.
Kapolei's Airport: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The airport's ownership and operation
The Airports Ownership and Operation
The airport code for Sanford, Florida, is SFB. The full name of the airport is Orlando Sanford International Airport. The airport is located in the city of Sanford, Florida, and is owned and operated by the Sanford Airport Authority. Covering 3,000 acres, it has four runways, with the dominant one being 9L/27R. The airport was built as a Naval Air Station and was used by the U.S. Navy until 1969. During this time, the naval air station's original runway was extended by 1,400 ft to a total length of 11,000 ft.
Following its use by the Navy, the airport underwent renovations in the 1980s and 1990s, with the oldest Navy buildings being demolished and newer ones renovated for civil use. New buildings and hangars were also added. The airport has had several name changes over the years, including Sanford Regional Airport, Central Florida Regional Airport, and Orlando Sanford Regional Airport.
Orlando Sanford International Airport is a commercial, public-use airport. It serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air and is Orlando's secondary commercial airport, located farther from downtown Orlando and Walt Disney World than the primary airport, Orlando International Airport. The airport is also home to the L3 Harris Airline Academy, which provides ab initio flight training for prospective regional airline and international pilots.
In terms of passenger traffic, Orlando Sanford International Airport has seen a shift from predominantly European charter services to a majority of domestic traffic since 2008. This change can be attributed to the entrance of Allegiant Air, a Las Vegas-based carrier for which Sanford is a focus city. The airport has also attracted the business of Canadian low-cost carrier Flair Airlines, which began offering flights to and from Sanford in 2021.
Strategies to Spot BTS at the Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Allegiant Air's use of the airport as a base
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a commercial airport in Sanford, Florida, that serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air. The airport is one of two airports serving the Orlando area and is located approximately 20 miles from downtown Orlando.
Allegiant Air, based in Las Vegas, entered Sanford in 2008, shifting the airport's passenger traffic from mostly international to mostly domestic. Allegiant offers flights to Sanford from about 60 US cities, with one traveller noting that the airline offered a reasonably priced Thursday morning flight from Richmond to Sanford. Allegiant flights depart from Terminal B, which offers dining and shopping options, including Starbucks, Cinnabon, and a gift shop.
Orlando Sanford International Airport has four runways and covers 3,000 acres. The airport was originally built as a Naval Air Station, a Master Jet Base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft, and was used by the US Navy until 1968 or 1969. Sanford took possession of the airfield again in 1946 and named it Sanford Airfield. The airport was expanded during the Korean War, doubling in size to 1,600 acres.
In the 1990s, the airport underwent significant upgrades, including the construction of a new passenger terminal capable of accommodating jet airliners. Sanford Airport offered reduced landing fees to charter airlines, attracting many carriers. In 2010, Allegiant Air moved many flights to the larger Orlando International Airport but later returned all flights to Orlando Sanford due to passenger feedback.
Portland Airport: A Busy Travel Hub?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Sanford Airport's proximity to other airports
Orlando Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB, ICAO: KSFB, FAA LID: SFB) is located in Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. It is Orlando's secondary commercial airport, with Orlando International Airport (MCO/KMCO) being the primary airport.
Orlando Sanford International Airport is conveniently located near several other airports, providing travellers with a range of alternatives. The closest cities to the airport are Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville, which are 28 miles, 113 miles, and 131 miles away, respectively.
In terms of nearby airports, apart from Orlando International Airport and Daytona Beach International Airport, travellers can also access several other airports within a reasonable distance. These include Orlando Melbourne International Airport, approximately 60 miles away, Gainesville Regional Airport, 89 miles away, and Tampa International Airport, 96 miles away.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is also relatively close, at 107 miles away, followed by Jacksonville International Airport at 121 miles, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport at 125 miles, and Southwest Florida International Airport at 158 miles. Palm Beach International Airport is the farthest from Orlando Sanford Airport on this list, at 161 miles away.
These airports offer convenient alternatives for travellers looking to bypass the busier Orlando Sanford International Airport or seeking closer access to specific destinations. Each airport provides unique features and services, ensuring a personalised travel experience.
Johannesburg Airport Showers: Availability and Amenities
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The airport code for Sanford, Florida, is SFB.
The airport in Sanford, Florida, is called Orlando Sanford International Airport.
The address of the Orlando Sanford International Airport is 1200 Red Cleveland Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32773.































