Roberta Aguirre
Florida has the most international and domestic airports in the US, with 140 airports, including 11 private-use landing fields and 109 public-use airports. The state's pleasant climate, entertainment attractions, and economic development have made it one of the most popular destinations in the country for leisure travel. In this article, we will explore the major airports in Florida, including Miami International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport, and Orlando International Airport, and discuss their unique features, busiest routes, and recent developments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports in Florida | 873 (including public and private airports) |
| Number of public-use airports | 109 |
| Number of private-use landing fields | 11 |
| Number of airports with scheduled passenger service and general aviation services | 20 |
| Busiest airport | Miami International Airport (MIA) |
| Second busiest airport | Orlando International Airport (MCO) |
| Third busiest airport | Fort Myers-based airport (RSW) |
| Number of destinations from Fort Myers | 63 (59 domestic, 4 international) |
| Airlines that fly out of Fort Myers | Sun Country Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and others |
| Number of international destinations from Tampa International Airport | 4 (London, Frankfurt, Zurich, and one other) |
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What You'll Learn
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Miami International Airport, also known as MIA and historically as Wilcox Field, is Florida's busiest airport. It is located in an unincorporated area in Miami-Dade County, 8 miles (13 km) west-northwest of downtown Miami, in metropolitan Miami. The airport is adjacent to the cities of Miami and Miami Springs, and the village of Virginia Gardens. Nearby cities include Hialeah, Doral, and Fontainebleau.
Miami International Airport covers 3,300 acres (1,300 ha) and hosts over 1,000 daily flights to 185 domestic and international destinations. It is a major hub for American Airlines, offering direct services to many Central American and Caribbean countries. It is also a primary gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean for American Airlines. The airport is served by 18 different passenger carriers on international routes. It is one of Florida's primary airports for long-haul international flights across the Atlantic Ocean.
Miami International Airport has a long history, dating back to the 1940s when it was known as Wilcox Field. The airport was officially dedicated on January 4, 1950, and has since undergone numerous expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing aviation industry. In the 1950s, a boom in postwar passenger aviation stretched the airport to its capacity, leading to the planning and construction of a new airport on land south and east of the existing facility. This new airport was inaugurated on February 1, 1959, as Miami International Airport.
The airport has continued to expand and develop over the years, with the addition of new carriers, destinations, and facilities. It offers a range of services and amenities for passengers, including dining and shopping options. Miami International Airport also provides easy access to the city of Miami and its surrounding areas for those with layovers or looking to explore beyond the airport.
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Orlando International Airport (MCO)
In 1978, the airport handled 5 million passengers, a number that rose to 47 million in 2018 and 57,211,628 in 2024, making it the busiest airport in the state of Florida and the ninth busiest in the United States. MCO has North America's fourth-tallest control tower, standing at 345 feet. The airport covers 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi) and is the fifth-largest airport in the US by land area. It is also one of the largest commercial airports in the US in terms of land area, spanning 11,605 acres (4,696 hectares).
Orlando International Airport is easily accessible, with over 1,000 daily flights on more than 40 airlines serving over 170 domestic and international destinations. It is a hub for Silver Airways and an operating base for Avelo Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Breeze Airways. It is also a focus city for another budget airline, Frontier Airlines. Southwest Airlines is the airport's largest carrier in terms of passenger numbers.
In February 2010, Allegiant Air began operations at the airport, but later returned its Orlando area operations to Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). In 2024, Allegiant Air resumed operating some flights at MCO. In March 2015, Emirates announced that they would begin daily service to the airport from Dubai International Airport, making Orlando International Airport the first airport in Florida served by Emirates.
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Fort Myers Airport
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is a major airport in the South Fort Myers area of unincorporated Lee County, Florida. The airport serves the Southwest Florida region, including the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Naples-Marco Island, and Punta Gorda metropolitan areas. It is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection port of entry.
The airport is about 10 miles southeast of Fort Myers and covers 13,555 acres of land, making it the third-largest airport in the United States in terms of land size. It has one runway, 06/24, which measures 12,000 by 150 feet and is made of asphalt. There are plans for a second runway. The airport has a design capacity of 10 million passengers per year, with 28 gates on three concourses (B, C, and D). The terminal buildings can be expanded to accommodate up to 65 gates on five concourses (A-E). There is ample parking available, with 11,250 spaces for hourly and daily parking, as well as a three-story parking structure for short-term parking.
Southwest Florida International Airport offers nonstop flights to 72-74 destinations through 15-16 airlines, including domestic and international locations in Canada, Cuba, Europe, and Puerto Rico. It is a major cargo hub for the area and is served by a variety of airlines, including Sun Country Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and more. In 2024, the airport served 11,028,182 passengers, the most in its history, and recorded 97,077 aircraft operations, averaging 265 per day.
Prior to the opening of Southwest Florida International Airport in 1983, the Southwest Florida region was served by Page Field in Fort Myers. However, by the 1970s, it was clear that Page Field would be too small to handle the increasing demand for commercial flights. The new airport was originally named Southwest Florida Regional Airport, and it hosted international flights and U.S. Customs before being officially renamed Southwest Florida International Airport in 1993.
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Tampa International Airport
The airport was originally known as Drew Field, and it served airlines such as Eastern Air Lines and National Airlines in the mid-1940s. The airlines operated from the former Drew AAF Base Operations building at the time. In 1950, Trans Canada Airlines began offering international flights from Drew Field, and the airport was renamed Tampa International Airport.
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Southwest Florida International Airport
The airport is focused on providing a convenient and comfortable experience for its passengers. It is currently expanding its terminal to improve efficiency and provide passengers with more amenities and options. RSW provides nonstop service to 72 destinations by 15 air carriers. It is the second-busiest single-runway airport in the United States, after San Diego International Airport, California. In 2024, the airport served 11,028,182 passengers, the most in its history, making it one of the top 50 airports in the US.
The airport sits on 13,555 acres of land, making it the third-largest airport in the United States in terms of land size, after Denver and Dallas/Fort Worth. Of its 13,555 acres, 6,000 acres have been conserved as swamplands and set aside for environmental mitigation. The runway is 12,000 feet long, making it the fourth-longest runway in Florida.
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Frequently asked questions
Miami International Airport (MIA) is the busiest airport in Florida. It is also one of the most congested airports in North America.
Florida has 873 airports, including public and private airports. This is the second-highest number of airports in the US, after Texas.
The 5 biggest airports in Florida are:
- Southwest Florida International Airport
- Orlando International Airport
- Tampa International Airport
- Fort Myers-based airport
- Miami International Airport
The Fort Myers-based airport is the third-largest airport in the United States by land size.
