Sarasota Bradenton Airport: Florida's Gateway To The Gulf Coast

what state is sarasota bradenton airport

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (IATA: SRQ, ICAO: KSRQ, FAA LID: SRQ) is a public airport located in Sarasota County, Sarasota, and Manatee County, Florida, USA. The airport is owned by the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority and is located 3 miles north of Downtown Sarasota and 6 miles south of Bradenton. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is a medium-sized airport that serves over one million passengers per year.

Characteristics Values
Name Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport
IATA SRQ
ICAO KSRQ
FAA LID SRQ
Location Sarasota County, Sarasota, and Manatee County, Florida, US
Owner Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority
Distance from Downtown Sarasota 3 miles (4.8 km) north
Distance from Bradenton 6 miles (9.7 km) south
Year of Construction 1939
Year of Opening 1940
Year of Addition of "International" 1956
Yearly Passengers 1 million+
Airlines Allegiant Air, Breeze Airways, Eastern
Destinations Portsmouth International Airport (PSM), New Hampshire
Phone Number 941-556-3500
CEO Fredrick J. Piccolo

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The Sarasota-Bradenton Airport is located in Sarasota and Manatee County, Florida, US

The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is located in Sarasota and Manatee County, Florida, US. The airport is a medium-sized facility, catering primarily to business and general aviation. It also has a modest air taxi/air carrier operation. The airport is conveniently located on Florida's west coast, about 30 miles south of the larger Tampa International Airport. It is positioned 3 miles north of Sarasota's downtown and 6 miles south of Bradenton.

Before the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport was built, both Sarasota and Bradenton had their own airfields. Bradenton Airport was established between 1935 and 1937, while Sarasota's Lowe Field was dedicated on January 12, 1929, and opened on March 12. It was Sarasota's first municipal airport, located on 160 acres of land west of what is now Beneva Road and north of Fruitville Road.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is designed for passenger convenience, with a spacious terminal that allows for easy movement. Airline ticketing, baggage claim, and other services are easily accessible from the main concourse, and both short-term and long-term parking lots are adjacent to the main terminal. In March 2025, the airport saw a record-breaking 597,796 passengers, an 8% increase from the previous year.

The airport is owned by the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority and is located within three jurisdictions: Sarasota County, the city limits of Sarasota, and Manatee County. This unique location within two neighbouring counties gives law enforcement officers the authority to conduct investigations and make arrests within both Sarasota and Manatee counties, both on and off the airport premises.

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It is also known by the code SRQ

Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport is located in the US state of Florida. It is also known by the code SRQ. The airport is owned by the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority and is located 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Downtown Sarasota and 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Bradenton. It is within the jurisdictions of Sarasota County and Manatee County, and the city limits of Sarasota.

The airport's IATA airport code, "SRQ", is used as a general nickname for the city of Sarasota and the Sarasota area. This is reflected in the names of local businesses and media outlets like SRQ Magazine and WSRQ radio. The SRQ code was chosen in 1948 when the growth in aviation demand prompted IATA to coordinate the assignment of three-character codes. The airport's previous designation, "SSO", was short-lived as it was similar to the international distress signal, SOS. The "Q" in SRQ serves as filler text.

Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport is a medium-sized airport that serves as a gateway to the southwest Gulf coast of Florida. It is a convenient starting point for international business and general aviation flights. The airport has two intersecting runways and a spacious terminal that allows for smooth and easy movement. Airline ticketing, baggage claim, and other services are easily accessible, and the short and long-term parking lots are adjacent to the main terminal.

The Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority Rescue and Firefighting Services are certified by the State of Florida and the FAA to provide fire-fighting and medical rescue services at the airport. The Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority Police Department is an independent law enforcement agency responsible for security and protection of the airport's assets.

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The airport is owned by the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority

The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is owned by the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority (SMAA). The airport is located within three jurisdictions: Sarasota County, the city of Sarasota, and Manatee County, all in the U.S. state of Florida.

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority was created in May 1941 as a public agency by the State of Florida. The Authority is responsible for operating and managing the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, with the power to acquire, construct, improve, finance, operate, and maintain the airport facilities. The airport was constructed in 1939 and opened in 1940 with CCC and WPA assistance, costing $1 million. Before the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport was built, both Sarasota and Bradenton had their own airfields. Bradenton Airport was established between 1935 and 1937, while Sarasota's Lowe Field was dedicated on January 12, 1929, and opened on March 12.

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority has six Commissioners appointed by the Governor, with three residing in Manatee County and the other three in Sarasota County. The Authority conducts its operations and business activities in compliance with the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees, as outlined in Part III Chapter 112 of Florida Statutes.

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Rescue and Firefighting Services is a certified provider of fire-fighting and medical rescue services at the airport. The Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority Police Department is an independent law enforcement agency responsible for security and protection of the airport's assets, including terminals, tarmac, runway, cargo facilities, and buildings leased to third parties. The Police Department is authorised to conduct investigations and make arrests within both Sarasota and Manatee counties, where the airport is located.

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It is a medium-sized airport with intersecting runways

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is located in the state of Florida, in the US. It is a medium-sized airport with intersecting runways, covering a total area of 870 acres. The airport is conveniently designed, with a spacious terminal that allows for easy and stress-free movement. Airline ticketing, baggage claim, and other services are easily accessible from the main concourse, and parking lots are located adjacent to the main terminal.

The Sarasota Bradenton Airport was established between 1935 and 1937, with construction starting in 1939 and the airport opening its doors the following year. Initially, it was known as Bradenton Airport, and it served the city of Bradenton, located in Manatee County, Florida. Sarasota, on the other hand, had its own airfield called Lowe Field, which was dedicated in January 1929 and opened in March of that year. It was Sarasota's first municipal airport.

In 1942, with the United States entering World War II, the Sarasota Bradenton Airport was leased to the Army Air Corps and became the Sarasota Army Airfield. During this time, the Army Air Corps added 250 acres to the airport, expanding it to its current size of 870 acres. The airport played a significant role during World War II, with various bomber and fighter squadrons using it for training and construction purposes.

After World War II, the airport resumed its role as a civilian aviation hub. In 1956, the name was changed to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, reflecting its expanded capabilities. A new terminal building was constructed and opened in 1959, with modern amenities including a control tower, ticketing area, offices, gift shop, coffee shop, and a balcony for passengers to watch their planes arrive. During its first year of operation, the airport served approximately 22,000 annual passengers.

Today, the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport continues to thrive and expand. It is known for its convenient and efficient services, with short check-in lines and minimal delays. The airport has also seen a steady increase in passenger traffic, with recent months setting new records for the highest number of passengers in the airport's history.

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The airport serves over 1 million passengers annually

The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (IATA: SRQ, ICAO: KSRQ, FAA LID: SRQ) is located in the state of Florida, in the US. The airport is owned by the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority and is located 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Downtown Sarasota and 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Bradenton.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport serves over 1 million passengers annually. In 2023, the airport reported a 10% increase in total passenger numbers as the summer travel season concluded. During the month of August that year, 261,091 passengers travelled through the airport, a 10% increase compared to August 2022. Notably, this increase occurred despite the impact of Hurricane Idalia.

In March 2025, the airport experienced its busiest month in its history, with 597,796 passengers travelling through its terminal. This was an 8% increase compared to March 2024 and represented the highest number of passengers per month in the airport's history. The opening of a new 5-gate concourse and the introduction of nine new nonstop destinations contributed to this record-breaking number.

The airport's convenient design, with a spacious terminal and short check-in lines, likely contributes to its appeal. The airport's location within three jurisdictions – Sarasota County, the city of Sarasota, and Manatee County – also makes it accessible to a wide range of travellers.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has expanded its services over the years, with Allegiant Air offering flights to seven new popular destinations as of February 2025. The airport has also seen an increase in passenger numbers during the spring travel season, with airlines offering various sales and promotions to attract travellers.

Frequently asked questions

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is located in the state of Florida.

The airport code for Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is SRQ.

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport serves more than one million passengers annually.

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