Tampa's St. Petersburg Airport: Location And Convenience

where is tampa st petersburg airport

St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is located 10km north of St Petersburg, Florida, and is one of two airports serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being Tampa International Airport. St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is served by LCCs and regional airlines and is also an important aviation training facility in Florida. The airport is easily accessible via the Gateway Express road, and shuttle services are available to and from Clearwater Beach.

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Tampa St Pete-Clearwater International Airport

The St. Pete-Clearwater area in Florida is served by two airports: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Tampa International Airport (TPA). St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is located 10 km north of St. Petersburg and is the smaller of the two airports serving the Tampa Bay area. It is served by LCCs and regional airlines and is an important aviation and training facility in Florida. The US Coast Guard has a key air station at the airport.

The airport is easily accessible via the Gateway Express road, which provides express toll lanes and a direct exit to the airport. The Grouper Airport Express provides on-demand shuttle services between the airport and any location on Clearwater Beach. These shuttles can accommodate wheelchairs and have room for nine people and their luggage. The airport is also served by bus and public transportation, with bus stops for the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) located at the Rental Car Center.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport offers non-stop routes to approximately 65 cities and is served primarily by the low-cost domestic carrier Allegiant Air. In 2023, the airport set an annual passenger record of 2.49 million. The airport features public art, including the "Be Bright" mural created by Ashley Cantero.

In addition to the two main airports, the St. Pete-Clearwater area also has two smaller airports that accept private planes: Albert Whitted Airport and Clearwater Airpark Airport.

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Tampa International Airport

Over the years, Tampa International Airport has consistently received high customer satisfaction ratings and has been recognised by various organisations for its excellence. In 2011, CNN ranked it as the sixth most loved airport in the world, and it has also been named one of the top airports in the country by Condé Nast and Travel+Leisure. In 2020, Airports Council International named Tampa International Airport the best airport in North America for its size, and it continues to undergo improvements to accommodate growing passenger numbers.

The airport is currently undergoing expansion plans, with a new Airside D in the northwest area expected to open in 2028. This addition will feature 16 gates for international and domestic flights and two new airline lounges, increasing the airport's capacity to serve up to 35 million annual passengers by 2037. With these developments, Tampa International Airport solidifies its position as a significant aviation hub in the region.

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Albert Whitted Airport

The airport has a rich history, with National Airlines beginning service there in 1934, and it was one of the first airports to base a Goodyear blimp in 1929. During World War II, the airport was converted to military use, serving as a primary flight training base for student Naval Aviators for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. After the war, civilian commercial and general aviation activity returned, and the airport continued to be used for search and rescue missions.

Today, Albert Whitted Airport provides a range of activities and opportunities for visitors and residents, including sightseeing tours by helicopter or historic biplane, fine dining, and youth programs. The airport is also home to the National Airlines Museum and an education centre. The airport has a park located on its north side, which is part of the city's waterfront park system.

Due to its proximity to MacDill Air Force Base, pilots should be aware of restricted airspace and military traffic when flying in and around Albert Whitted Airport. The airport offers aircraft fuelling services through Sheltair Aviation, with both truck fuelling and a self-service facility available.

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Clearwater Airpark Airport

The Tampa St Petersburg Airport is likely referring to the Tampa St Pete-Clearwater International Airport, located 10km north of St Petersburg. This airport serves the Tampa Bay Area in Florida and is the smaller airport in the region, with Tampa International Airport being the larger one.

Now, for the Clearwater Airpark Airport:

In terms of facilities, Clearwater Airpark features one asphalt-paved runway, 16/34, with an adjoining taxiway. The runway measures 4,108 ft by 75 ft (1,252 m by 23 m). To minimize noise, Runway 34 follows a right-traffic pattern, and departing aircraft are instructed to turn to a heading of 020 as soon as possible. The airport operates daily from 7 am to 11 pm, with no landings permitted outside these hours. Additionally, touch-and-go landings are not allowed.

The airport covers an area of 47 acres (19 hectares) and offers a range of hangars, including T-hangars (around 70), covered "shade" hangars (30), and two corporate hangars capable of accommodating multiple airplanes each. There is also a maintenance facility located on the field. As of December 14, 2017, for the preceding 12-month period, the airport recorded 50,590 aircraft operations, averaging 139 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (100%), with a small percentage being air taxi (1%) and military (1%).

Clearwater Airpark has a long history, dating back to the 1930s when the land was owned by the Fugazzis. In the period 1934-1936, they began donating parts of the land to the city of Clearwater. The airport, then known as Clearwater Executive Airpark, officially opened in April 1939, catering to transient aircraft. During World War II, it was temporarily closed but reopened in 1945, continuing to serve primarily transient airplanes. Over the years, the airport has undergone several design changes and ownership transfers, with the city of Clearwater repurchasing the land in 1980 and owning it since.

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Transport to and from the airport

St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is located 10km north of St Petersburg and serves the Tampa Bay Area in Florida. It is the smaller airport serving the Tampa Bay area, the larger being Tampa International Airport.

There are several transport options for getting to and from St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. Here are some options for making your way to and from the airport:

Shuttle Services

Shuttle services like TPA Shuttles and SuperShuttle Express offer a comfortable and hassle-free way to travel between Tampa International Airport and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. These services offer advance reservations, vetted drivers, and clean vehicles. They also provide group bookings, with decreasing per-person costs for larger groups.

Rental Cars

Off-airport rental car companies provide courtesy vehicles for transportation to and from their facilities. Pick-up and drop-off locations are usually at a designated curb in front of or near the Rental Car Center. Some companies may also offer shuttle services to and from the main terminal.

Public Transportation

For those looking for a more economical option, public transportation is also available. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) operate bus services to and from the airport. The bus stop is located at the Rental Car Center, and route maps and schedules are posted for travellers' convenience.

Private Transportation

Private transportation services, such as taxis or ride-sharing apps (like Uber or Lyft), are also available in the Tampa Bay area. These can be convenient, especially if you are travelling with a lot of luggage or have specific drop-off requirements.

When planning your trip, it is always a good idea to check the latest information on transport providers' websites or to contact them directly for the most up-to-date schedules, fares, and any specific instructions for pick-up and drop-off locations.

Frequently asked questions

Tampa St. Petersburg in Florida, USA, is served by two airports: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE) and Tampa International Airport (IATA: TPA).

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is the smaller of the two airports, serving approximately 2.49 million passengers in 2023.

Tampa International Airport is located at 4100 George J Bean Pkwy Tampa, FL 33607.

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