Roberta Aguirre
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a medium-sized, multi-use airport located in Sanford, Florida, 20 miles north of Orlando International Airport (MCO). SFB has a complex taxiway system, four runways, and a large amount of bird activity in and around the airport. The airport is home to the L3 Harris Airline Academy, which provides flight training for prospective regional airline and international pilots. SFB serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air and is Orlando's secondary commercial airport.
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What You'll Learn
Orlando Sanford International Airport's history
Orlando Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB, ICAO: KSFB, FAA LID: SFB) is a commercial, public airport in Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. The airport is owned and operated by the Sanford Airport Authority, which was established in 1969.
The airport was originally built as Naval Air Station Sanford, a Master Jet Base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft. It was commissioned on November 3, 1942, and was used by the United States Navy as a Fighter/Dive-Bomber training base until 1969. After the U.S. Navy ceased operations at the base, the City of Sanford took control of the facility and renamed it Sanford Airport. The airport then served as a general aviation facility and hosted civilian and military air shows for the next 25 years.
In the 1970s, the control tower was reactivated and employed retired Navy air traffic controllers. During this decade, the former OLF began to be used by drug-smuggling aircraft, leading to a major drug interdiction operation by law enforcement agencies. Seminole County took measures to deter future illegal use by placing large speed bumps on the runways.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, the airport underwent renovations and expansions. The oldest Navy buildings were demolished, while newer ones were renovated for civil use. New buildings and hangars were constructed, and the airport underwent multiple name changes, including Sanford Regional Airport, Central Florida Regional Airport, and Orlando Sanford Regional Airport.
In the mid-1990s, a new passenger terminal capable of accommodating jet airliners was built, attracting charter airlines catering to British tourists. The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities, attracting airlines such as Allegiant Air and Thomas Cook Airlines. Today, Orlando Sanford International Airport offers fast and affordable air travel, with convenient navigation and quick security lines.
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Transport options to and from the airport
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a commercial, public airport in Sanford, Florida, located near Orlando. It is Orlando's secondary airport, with Orlando International Airport being the primary airport.
There are several transport options available to and from SFB Airport. These include:
- Rental cars: Alamo, National, and Enterprise are located in the Alamo building south of the Welcome Center, across the street from Terminal A and B.
- Taxis: There is a designated pick-up zone for taxis directly across the street from Baggage Claim areas 1-3.
- Rideshare services: Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are also available, with a designated pick-up zone across the street from Baggage Claim areas 1-3.
- Airport shuttles: Shared shuttle services are available, and it is recommended to book these in advance.
- Private transfers: Private transfers can be booked in advance, offering a range of options from economy to luxury vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and vans.
It is recommended to book your airport transportation in advance to ensure a timely and comfortable journey. SFB Airport is easily navigable, with a smooth and well-coordinated arrival and departure experience.
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Airlines and aircraft that use the airport
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a medium-sized multi-use airport with a focus on Allegiant Air. The airport is located in Sanford, Florida, 20 miles north of Orlando International Airport (MCO). It serves as a reliever airport for the general and business aviation communities.
SFB has three parallel runways with staggered thresholds (09L/27R, 09C/27C, and 09R/27L) and one intersecting runway (18/36). The dominant runway is 9L/27R. The airport covers 3,000 acres and has a complex taxiway system that provides access to a passenger terminal, FBOs, and numerous private hangars.
The airport 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 City of Sanford then assumed control of the airport, renaming it Sanford Airport and establishing the Sanford Airport Authority. In the following decades, the airport underwent renovations and expansions, including the addition of new buildings and hangars. Today, the airport continues to undergo development, with $300 million in proposed expansions announced in 2025.
In terms of airlines and aircraft, Allegiant Air is the major operator at SFB, with Sanford serving as a focus city for the carrier since 2008. Allegiant Air operates both domestic and international flights, with destinations including Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In July 2021, Canadian low-cost carrier Flair Airlines announced service between Sanford and five Canadian destinations beginning in the winter of 2021. The airport is also home to the L3 Harris Airline Academy, which provides flight training for prospective regional airline and international pilots.
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The airport's runways and taxiways
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a medium-sized multi-use airport with a complex taxiway system. The airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways and three parallel runways with staggered thresholds and one intersecting runway. The airport has a high risk of runway misidentification and confusion.
The runways at SFB are:
- Runway 9L/27R: 11,002 x 150 ft. (3,353 x 46 m), asphalt. This is the dominant runway.
- Runway 9C/27C: 3,578 x 75 ft. (1,091 x 23 m), asphalt.
- Runway 9R/27L: 5,839 x 75 ft. (1,780 x 23 m), asphalt. This is the primary flight training runway.
- Runway 18/36: 6,002 x 150 ft. (1,829 x 46 m), asphalt/concrete. This is the intersecting runway.
The taxiway system at SFB provides access to a passenger terminal, FBOs, and numerous private hangars. Aircraft landing on Runway 9L/27R are instructed to turn off on Runway 18, then right on TWY C, and then taxi to parking. TWY K1 is closed to all aircraft permanently.
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The airport's location and surroundings
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a medium-sized, multi-use airport located in Sanford, Florida, 20 miles north of Orlando International Airport (MCO). It is a commercial, public-use airport that serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air.
The airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways, three of which are parallel (09L/27R, 09C/27C, and 09R/27L) and one intersecting (18/36). The airport is home to the L3 Harris Airline Academy, which provides ab initio flight training for prospective regional airline and international pilots. The Seminole County Sheriff's Office also has a hangar and support facility for its Special Operations Division's aviation elements.
The airport is owned and operated by the Sanford Airport Authority, which was established by the City of Sanford when it assumed control of the former Naval Air Station Sanford in 1969. The base was commissioned on November 3, 1942, and used by the U.S. Navy for advanced land-based patrol plane training until it closed in 1969. The City of Sanford then renamed the facility Sanford Airport and hired Commander J. S. "Red" Cleveland, USN (Ret.) as the first Airport Manager.
Orlando Sanford International Airport is about 34 miles from Orlando Airport (MCO) and can be reached by private bus or rideshare services such as Uber. The average cost of an Uber trip between the two airports is $59, and the average duration is 37 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
SFB stands for Sanford, Florida, United States, near Orlando.
The airport started 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 City of Sanford assumed control in 1969 and renamed it Sanford Airport. Over the years, it has undergone several name changes, including Sanford Regional Airport, Central Florida Regional Airport, and Orlando Sanford Regional Airport.
SFB is a medium-sized, multi-use airport with a large bird population, including eagles, which has led to an unusually high number of bird strikes. It has three parallel runways and one intersecting runway, making it a candidate for runway misidentification.
You can get to SFB from Orlando Airport (MCO) by Uber, with an average trip duration of 34 miles and a cost of around $59. You can also use a private bus service that operates between the two airports.
