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Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a medium-sized, multi-use airport located 20 miles north of Orlando International Airport (MCO). It is a commercial, public-use airport in Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. The airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways, with robust flight training, air carrier, and air taxi operations. SFB is known for its affiliation with Orlando and has a history as a Naval Air Station, serving as a Master Jet Base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft until 1969. Today, it offers efficient, affordable, and comfortable air travel with a focus on simplicity and speed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Orlando Sanford International Airport |
| Airport Codes | IATA: SFB, ICAO: KSFB, FAA LID: SFB, NRJ, KNRJ |
| Location | Sanford, Florida, United States |
| Distance from Orlando | 20 miles north of Orlando International Airport |
| Area | 3,000 acres (1,214 ha) |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Runways | Runway 9L/27R: 11,002 x 150 ft. (3,353 x 46 m), asphalt, 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, Runway 18/36: 6,002 x 150 ft. (1,829 x 46 m), asphalt/concrete |
| Ownership and Operation | Owned and operated by the Sanford Airport Authority |
| Operating Base | Allegiant Air |
| Traffic | Annual passenger traffic with a majority of domestic passengers since 2008 |
| History | Built as Naval Air Station Sanford, a Master Jet Base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft, used by the U.S. Navy until 1969 |
| Other Features | Home to Acron Aviation Academy, Seminole County Sheriff's Office hangar and support facility, complex taxiway system, bird activity |
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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-use airport in Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. It was originally built as Naval Air Station Sanford, a Master Jet Base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft, and was commissioned on November 3, 1942. The base was used by the United States Navy for advanced land-based patrol plane training until it closed in 1969.
In 1969, the City of Sanford took control of the former NAS Sanford and renamed it Sanford Airport. The city also established the Sanford Airport Authority, hiring Commander J. S. "Red" Cleveland, USN (Ret.), the air station's recently retired Executive Officer, as the first Airport Manager. For the next 25 years, the airport was a general aviation facility, hosting civilian and military air shows and static displays. In the early 1970s, the control tower was reactivated as a non-FAA facility, employing retired Navy air traffic controllers.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, the oldest Navy buildings were demolished, and newer ones were renovated for civil use. New buildings and hangars were also added. During this time, the airport underwent several name changes, including Sanford Regional Airport, Central Florida Regional Airport, and Orlando Sanford Regional Airport, before becoming Orlando Sanford International Airport.
In the mid-1990s, a new passenger terminal capable of accommodating jet airliners was built. Charter airlines catering to British tourists were offered reduced landing fees, attracting many carriers. Since 2008, the majority of the airport's passenger traffic has been domestic, largely due to the entrance of Allegiant Air, for which Sanford is a focus city. Today, the airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways, with a proposed $300 million expansion in development as of 2025.
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SFB's runways and taxiways
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a medium-sized multi-use airport located in Sanford, Florida, United States, near Orlando. It has three parallel runways—09L/27R, 09C/27C, and 09R/27L—and one intersecting runway, 18/36. These runways, with staggered thresholds, increase the risk of pilots misidentifying the wrong surface. The dominant runway is 09L/27R, which was extended in 2013 to its current length of 11,002 x 150 ft. (3,353 x 46 m). The parallel runways were built later, with 09C/27C constructed on a previous taxiway and 09R/27L built for small aircraft. Runway 18/36, another Navy runway, is 6,002 x 150 ft. (1,829 x 46 m) and is rarely used by airliners.
The airport's complex taxiway system provides access to a passenger terminal, FBOs, and numerous private hangars. Aircraft landing on runway 09L/27R are instructed to turn off on runway 18, then right on taxiway C before taxiing to parking. TWY K1 is closed to all aircraft permanently. During flight training, pilots are instructed to fly a 1-mile upwind, crosswind, and base to help the tower plan for departure/sequence gaps. Pilots should also pay close attention to hot spots pertaining to runway 09C/27C and hold short lines on taxiways L and R.
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Airlines operating from SFB
Orlando Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB, ICAO: KSFB, FAA LID: SFB) is a commercial, public-use airport in Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. It was built as a 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.
Orlando Sanford International Airport serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air, a Las Vegas-based airline. Since 2008, Allegiant Air has contributed to the majority of the airport's domestic passenger traffic. However, in 2010, Allegiant Air moved many flights to the larger and more centrally located Orlando International Airport.
Thomas Cook Airlines operated from Sanford for almost a decade before moving to Orlando International Airport in 2014. Unfortunately, Thomas Cook ceased all operations in September 2019.
In 2017, Thomson Airways, now known as TUI Airways, began operating routes to UK airports, becoming the largest international airline at the airport. However, in 2019, TUI Airways announced that it would switch its Orlando operations from Sanford to Melbourne Orlando International Airport from 2022 onwards.
In July 2021, Canadian low-cost carrier Flair Airlines announced plans to launch services between Sanford and five Canadian destinations beginning in the winter of 2021.
In April 2016, Interjet operated flights to Mexico City but later switched operations to the main Orlando airport in 2018.
In addition to these commercial airlines, the airport is home to the Acron Aviation Academy, which provides ab initio flight training for prospective airline pilots.
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SFB's location relative to Orlando
Orlando Sanford International Airport, also known as SFB, is located in Sanford, Florida, United States. It is about 20 miles north of Orlando International Airport (MCO) and is considered Orlando's secondary commercial airport.
The airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways, with the dominant runway being 9L/27R. SFB is unique in that it has three parallel runways (09L/27R, 09C/27C, and 09R/27L) and one intersecting runway (18/36). This configuration has made it a candidate for runway misidentification and confusion.
The history of SFB dates back to its origins as a Naval Air Station during World War II. Commissioned in 1942, the base focused on advanced land-based patrol plane training. After the U.S. Navy closed the base in 1969, the City of Sanford took control and renamed it Sanford Airport. Over the years, the airport underwent various name changes, including Sanford Regional Airport, Central Florida Regional Airport, and Orlando Sanford Regional Airport, before becoming Orlando Sanford International Airport.
Today, SFB is a medium-sized, multi-use airport that serves as a hub for Allegiant Air and Flair Airlines, offering flights to several Canadian destinations. It is also home to the Acron Aviation Academy, which provides flight training for aspiring pilots. SFB is known for its efficient, affordable, and comfortable air travel options, making it a popular choice for passengers visiting the Orlando area.
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SFB's flight training operations
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a medium-sized multi-use airport located in Sanford, Florida, 20 miles north of Orlando International Airport. It was 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 covers 3,000 acres and has four runways: Runway 9L/27R, Runway 9C/27C, Runway 9R/27L, and Runway 18/36.
SFB is home to Acron Aviation Academy, which provides ab initio flight training for prospective airline pilots. The airport also has a robust flight training operation, with Runway 9R/27L serving as the primary flight training runway. The airport's three parallel runways and one intersecting runway make it a candidate for runway misidentification and confusion.
When conducting flight training at SFB, pilots are instructed to follow certain procedures. For instance, during flight training and while in the pattern, pilots are advised to attempt to fly a 1-mile upwind, crosswind, and base to help the tower plan for departure and sequence gaps. Additionally, pilots should verify the proper heading prior to starting the takeoff roll on all departures.
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Frequently asked questions
SFB, or Orlando Sanford International Airport, is located in Sanford, Florida, about 20 miles north of Orlando International Airport (MCO).
SFB was originally Naval Air Station Sanford, a Master Jet Base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft used by the U.S. Navy until 1969. The City of Sanford took over the airport in 1969 and renamed it Sanford Airport. Over the years, it has also been called Sanford Regional Airport, Central Florida Regional Airport, and Orlando Sanford Regional Airport.
Allegiant Air and Flair Airlines are two airlines that operate out of SFB. The airport also houses a flight training academy, previously known as L3Harris Airline Academy, which provides training for prospective airline pilots.
As a medium-sized airport, SFB offers a range of amenities, including a passenger terminal, FBOs, and private hangars. The airport is known for its efficient security lines and fast travel options.
SFB experiences considerable air carrier and air taxi traffic. Since 2008, the majority of its passenger traffic has been domestic. However, due to its affiliation with Orlando, it also attracts international passengers. The airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways.
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