Rsw Airport: Gateway To Fort Myers, Florida

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located in the South Fort Myers area of unincorporated Lee County, Florida. The airport serves the Southwest Florida region, including Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Marco Island, Captiva Island, Estero, Bonita Springs, and Naples. It is the second-busiest single-runway airport in the United States and is approximately 30 minutes from Fort Myers Beach and 45 minutes from Sanibel Island. The airport offers nonstop flights from over 50 U.S. cities and several international destinations, including Canada, Cuba, and Europe.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

The airport is located on 13,555 acres of land just southeast of Fort Myers, making it the third-largest airport in the United States in terms of land size. 6,000 acres of the land have been conserved as swamp lands and set aside for environmental mitigation. The airport is approximately 30 minutes from Fort Myers Beach and 45 minutes from Sanibel Island.

Prior to the opening of Southwest Florida International Airport, the region was served by Page Field in Fort Myers. However, by the 1970s, it became apparent that Page Field would be too small to handle the increasing demand for commercial flights into the region. Several sites were considered for a new regional airport, but the government of Lee County ultimately selected a site near the end of Daniels Parkway due to its proximity to Interstate 75.

Construction of the airport began in 1980 and it opened on schedule on May 14, 1983, as Southwest Florida Regional Airport. The original airport included a single 8,400-foot runway and a passenger terminal with 14 gates on two concourses. The airport has since expanded, and now includes a midfield terminal complex with three concourses and 28 gates. The airport offers nonstop flights from more than 50 U.S. cities, including San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as several international non-stops from Canada, Cuba, and Europe.

Airport location and transport

Overview

Southwest Florida International Airport (IATA: RSW, ICAO: KRSW, FAA LID: RSW) is located in the South Fort Myers area of unincorporated Lee County, Florida, United States. The airport serves the Southwest Florida region, including Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Marco Island, Captiva Island, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples. It is the second-busiest single-runway airport in the United States, with 11,028,182 passengers served in 2024, the most in its history.

Transport Options

By Car

The airport is located approximately 30 minutes from Fort Myers Beach and 45 minutes from Sanibel Island. It can be easily accessed from several major interstates and other Florida airports.

By Public Transport

LeeTran Airport Service offers hourly bus connections between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. to a transfer point at Daniels Parkway and U.S. 41, with connections to other routes.

By Taxi or Limousine

Taxi and limousine services are available at the airport, as well as a number of car rental companies.

Airlines and destinations

Southwest Florida International Airport (IATA: RSW, ICAO: KRSW, FAA LID: RSW) is located in the South Fort Myers area of unincorporated Lee County, Florida. The airport is a major county-owned facility, sitting on 13,555 acres of land, just southeast of Fort Myers. It is one of the largest airports in the United States in terms of land size.

The airport serves the Southwest Florida region, including Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Naples-Marco Island, and Punta Gorda. It is a busy airport, currently the second-busiest single-runway airport in the United States, serving 11,028,182 passengers in 2024, the most in its history.

A number of airlines operate from Fort Myers International Airport, including major carriers such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. The airport has a variety of domestic and international destinations, with direct flights to many cities across the United States and Europe.

Concourse B serves Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Discover Airlines, Frontier, Southwest, and Sun Country. Destinations from this concourse include:

• Seattle/Tacoma
• Charlotte
• Chicago–O'Hare
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• Philadelphia
• Washington–National
• New York–LaGuardia
• New Haven
• Raleigh/Durham
• Wilmington (DE)
• Wilmington (NC)

Concourse C serves Delta, United, and WestJet. Destinations include:

• Atlanta
• Boston
• Cincinnati
• Detroit
• Minneapolis/St. Paul
• New York–JFK
• New York–LaGuardia

Concourse D serves American, Breeze, JetBlue, and Spirit. Destinations include:

• Baltimore
• Chicago–Midway
• Columbus–Glenn
• Dallas–Love
• Denver
• Indianapolis
• Kansas City
• Milwaukee
• Nashville
• Orlando
• Pittsburgh
• St. Louis

In addition to these, the airport also offers seasonal flights to various destinations, including New York, Boston, and Toronto.

Passenger services and amenities

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located in South Fort Myers, Florida, United States, and serves the greater Fort Myers area. The airport is approximately 10 miles southeast of Fort Myers and is an easy drive from several other major Florida airports. RSW is also accessible by road, with major interstates providing efficient connections.

RSW offers a range of services and amenities to cater to the needs of its passengers. Here is an overview of what passengers can expect:

Transportation

The airport offers various transportation options for arriving and departing passengers. These include:

• Bus: Public transportation is available at the airport, with LeeTran Airport Service providing hourly services to and from the airport.
• Taxi: Taxi services are readily available at the airport, providing a quick and convenient way to get to and from the Fort Myers city centre in approximately 20 minutes.
• Limousine: For those seeking a more luxurious option, limousine services can be arranged.
• Car Rental: RSW has a number of car rental companies located on-site, offering a range of vehicles to suit different needs and preferences.

Visitor Information

RSW provides visitor information booths in both the upper-level atriums and the lower-level baggage claim areas. Knowledgeable tourism ambassadors are on hand to provide directions, maps, and information about attractions and activities in and around Fort Myers.

Dining and Shopping

The airport features a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops. Passengers can enjoy a meal or a quick bite before their flight and purchase any last-minute gifts or travel essentials.

Executive Lounge

For passengers seeking an upgraded experience, the airport offers an executive lounge through airssist VIP Terminal Service. This exclusive service provides a seamless and indulgent journey with personalised assistance, including help with check-in, luggage handling, and navigating the terminal. The executive lounge offers a sophisticated and tranquil atmosphere with comfortable seating, elegant interiors, and modern amenities.

Accessibility

RSW offers accessible services for travellers with disabilities. Additional assistance can be provided by the airlines if required.

Other Amenities

RSW also provides other amenities to enhance the passenger experience, including free Wi-Fi, ATMs, and a business centre. The airport also has parking options available, including hourly/daily parking and short-term parking in a three-story parking structure adjacent to the main terminal.

History and future projects

Southwest Florida International Airport (IATA: RSW, ICAO: KRSW, FAA LID: RSW) is located 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 also a U.S. Customs and Border Protection port of entry.

History

Prior to the opening of the Southwest Florida International Airport, the region was served by Page Field in Fort Myers. However, by the 1970s, it became apparent that Page Field would be too small to accommodate the increasing demand for commercial flights into the region. As such, a new regional airport site was selected near the end of Daniels Parkway, which offered easy access to Interstate 75. Construction of the airport began in 1980 and it opened on schedule on May 14, 1983, with a single 8400-foot runway and a passenger terminal with 14 gates on two concourses. The airport was initially named Southwest Florida Regional Airport (RSW).

When the airport opened in 1983, it was served by Air Florida Commuter, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, Northwest Orient Airlines, Ozark Air Lines, Pan Am, Republic Airlines, and United Airlines. By 1985, American Airlines, People Express, Provincetown-Boston Airlines, Southern Express, and USAir were also serving the airport. The airport began hosting international flights in 1984 and U.S. Customs services in 1987, leading to its renaming as Southwest Florida International Airport in 1993. The runway was also lengthened to 12,000 feet to better accommodate international service.

In 1988, the airport exceeded its annual capacity of 3 million passengers, and by 2004, it was serving nearly 7 million passengers annually. To accommodate this growing demand, the original terminal was expanded in 1998 with a new wing added to Concourse B, bringing the total number of gates to 17. In April 1994, LTU International introduced Fort Myers' first flight to Europe: a route connecting Munich, Düsseldorf, Fort Myers, Miami, Düsseldorf, and Munich.

As the original terminal continued to operate above its intended capacity, construction of a new Midfield Terminal Complex began in February 2002. The new $438 million terminal opened on September 9, 2005, featuring three concourses and 28 gates. The original terminal was demolished in the spring of 2006, but its parking lot still stands at the end of Chamberlin Parkway.

Future Projects

The Southwest Florida International Airport has several ongoing and planned future projects to enhance its capacity and improve the passenger experience.

Terminal Expansion Projects:

The airport is currently undergoing a $1 billion terminal expansion, which is expected to take three years. This expansion includes creating a new concourse (Concourse E) with 14 gates and the infrastructure to support 19 future gates, expanding the airport terminal on all three levels, implementing a new baggage handling system, and enhancing the ticketing lobby and baggage claim area.

Security Checkpoint Consolidation:

The Lee County Port Authority (LCPA) has announced plans to consolidate the three individual concourse security checkpoints into a single consolidated checkpoint. This relocation will provide more space for restaurants, shops, and post-security areas. The expansion is expected to cost between $150 million and $180 million.

Parallel Runway:

A 9,100-foot parallel runway is in the planning stages, along with a relocated air traffic control tower, apron expansion, crossfield taxiway system, mitigation activities, and FPL electrical line relocation. The entire project is estimated to cost $454 million.

Skyplex:

There are plans to develop Skyplex, a commercial and industrial park, in the location of the former passenger terminal. Chamberlin Parkway is being realigned to remove the roadway loop that once served the old terminal.

Other Developments:

Additional airport-related businesses, such as a hotel, are in the planning stages. The airport is also enhancing its accessibility by connecting its main terminal road to the southbound and northbound lanes of Interstate 75.

Frequently asked questions