Roberta Aguirre
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a medium-sized, multi-use airport located in Sanford, Florida. It is about 18 to 20 miles from Orlando International Airport and provides convenient access to Central Florida's business and population centers, Florida's beaches, and Orlando's attractions. The airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways, with a focus on domestic flights. It is known for its efficient security lines and easy navigation. The airport has a rich history, initially serving as a Naval Air Station before transitioning to civilian use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Orlando Sanford International Airport |
| IATA | SFB |
| ICAO | KSFB |
| FAA LID | SFB |
| Location | Sanford, Florida, United States |
| Address | 1200 Red Cleveland Blvd, Sanford, FL 32773 |
| Owner | Sanford Airport Authority |
| Operating Base | Allegiant Air |
| Size | Medium-sized |
| Area | 3,000 acres (1,214 ha) |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| 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 |
| Distance from Orlando | 18-20 miles |
| Phone Number | (407)585-6400 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Orlando Sanford International Airport's location and history
Orlando Sanford International Airport is a commercial, public-use airport located in Sanford, Florida, United States, near Orlando. Covering 3,000 acres, the airport has four runways, with the dominant one being 9L/27R, which was built from the naval air station's original runway.
The airport started as Naval Air Station Sanford (NRJ/KNRJ), a Master Jet Base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft. It was commissioned on November 3, 1942, and used by the U.S. Navy for advanced land-based patrol plane training until its closure in 1969.
In 1969, the City of Sanford took control of the former NAS Sanford and renamed it Sanford Airport. They also established the Sanford Airport Authority and hired Commander J. S. "Red" Cleveland, USN (Ret.) as the first Airport Manager. For the next 25 years, the airport served as a general aviation facility, hosting civilian and military air shows and static displays. During this time, the control tower was reactivated in the early 1970s, employing retired Navy air traffic controllers. The airport underwent several name changes over the years, including Sanford Regional Airport, Central Florida Regional Airport, and Orlando Sanford Regional Airport, before becoming Orlando Sanford International Airport.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the oldest Navy buildings were demolished, and those from the 1950s and 1960s were renovated for civil use. New buildings and hangars were constructed. During this period, the airport attracted European charter services catering to the heavy British tourist demographic. A new passenger terminal capable of accommodating jet airliners was built in the mid-1990s.
In recent years, the airport has continued to develop and expand its services. In 2025, it attracted $300 million in proposed development funds. Orlando Sanford International Airport currently serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air and is Orlando's secondary commercial airport.
Birmingham Airport: A Global Gateway
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport's facilities and amenities
Orlando Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB, ICAO: KSFB, FAA LID: SFB) is located in Sanford, Florida, United States, near Orlando. It is a commercial, public-use airport owned and operated by the Sanford Airport Authority. The airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways.
Orlando Sanford International Airport offers a range of facilities and amenities for travellers. The airport provides convenient, state-of-the-art facilities and easy access to Central Florida's business and population centres, as well as Florida's beaches and Orlando-area attractions.
For travellers, the airport offers a variety of dining options, shopping experiences, and access to rental cars and transportation services. The airport is known for its simplicity, speed, and ease of navigation, with relatively shorter security lines compared to larger airports. It is also described as clean and well-ventilated.
The airport has a history of accommodating civilian and military air shows and static displays, and it provides ab initio flight training for prospective airline pilots. It also has a focus on expanding its services, having attracted $300 million in proposed development funds.
In terms of transportation, the airport has major roadway access to I-95, SR 417, the Florida Turnpike, and I-4. Additionally, the CSX rail on the airport's western edge offers opportunities for expanding rail connections, and nearby Lake Mary Sunrail and Sanford Sunrail stations provide further rail access. For seaport access, Port Canaveral and Port Tampa Bay are within a 60-minute and 90-minute drive, respectively.
Orlando Sanford International Airport also has a presence of various community partners, such as Allegiant Air and L3 Harris Technologies, and it is well-positioned for industrial development, with plans for hotel, retail, office, and recreational space expansion.
Airport Security: Strict Passenger List Rules and Regulations
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Development and expansion plans
Orlando Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB, ICAO: KSFB, FAA LID: SFB) is located in Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. The airport is a commercial, public-use airport that serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air. It is Orlando's secondary commercial airport, farther away from downtown Orlando and Walt Disney World than the primary airport, Orlando International Airport (MCO/KMCO).
The Orlando Sanford International Airport has undergone various development and expansion initiatives over the years to enhance its facilities and improve the overall travel experience for its passengers.
In 2015, the airport announced a terminal expansion project to accommodate growing passenger numbers and provide a more comfortable and efficient travel experience. The project, estimated at $60 million, aimed to add almost 50,000 square feet of space, including new baggage carousels, an additional ticket counter, a canopied passenger drop-off and pick-up area, improved parking access, new bathrooms, and nursing centres for mothers. The expansion project was on track, with over 20% completed as of January 2019, and was expected to be finished by 2020.
In July 2021, the airport attracted $300 million in proposed development funds to further expand its services and offerings. The airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways, with the dominant runway being 9L/27R, which was extended by 1,400 feet to 11,000 feet in 2013.
The Sanford Airport Authority has also set aside nearly 190 acres for additional commercial development, aiming to create a more innovative and technologically advanced experience for business and leisure travellers. The airport has experienced significant growth, drawing a record 2.92 million passengers in 2017, and continues to focus on enhancing its facilities and services to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic.
Venice Airport: In the City or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Transport connections and access
Orlando Sanford International Airport is located in Sanford, Seminole County, Florida, 18 miles northeast of Orlando. The airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways. It is a medium-sized multi-use airport with a large volume of air carrier, air taxi, and flight training operations.
Orlando Sanford International Airport has convenient access to Central Florida's business and population centers, Florida's beaches, and Orlando's tourist attractions. The airport is well-connected to the region's transportation network, including highways, rail, and ports.
Highway
The airport has major roadway access to I-95, SR 417, the Florida Turnpike, and I-4, connecting it to an expansive highway distribution network.
Rail
The CSX rail borders the airport's westernmost edge, providing opportunities for expanding rail connections and access to global supply and distribution chains. The Lake Mary Sunrail station is a 15-minute drive from the airport, while the Sanford Sunrail station is a 20-minute drive away.
Air
The airport offers a comprehensive domestic route network and an expanding international network, providing global reach and connections.
Local Roads
To reach the airport by road from Orlando, take SR 408 exit 82A, followed by the East-West Expressway. Then, take the SR 417 N exit (exit 18A) toward Sanford, merge onto FL 417 N/Central Florida Greenway, and take the CR 427 exit (exit 49) toward Lake Mary Blvd. Turn right onto CR 427 N/N Ronald Reagan Blvd, then right onto E Lake Mary Blvd, and finally left onto Red Cleveland Blvd to reach the airport at 1200 Red Cleveland Blvd, Sanford, FL 32773.
Clearwater's Airport: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Accidents and incidents
Orlando Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB, ICAO: KSFB, FAA LID: SFB) is a commercial, public-use airport in Sanford, Florida, United States, near Orlando. The airport has been the site of several accidents and incidents over the years, ranging from minor to fatal.
On March 29, 2007, Allegiant Air Flight 758, a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft, experienced a hydraulic failure after taking off from Pease International Airport in New Hampshire, preventing the nose landing gear from deploying. The plane made a safe landing at Orlando Sanford International Airport, and only one minor injury was reported during the aircraft evacuation.
On July 10, 2007, a tragic incident occurred when a Cessna 310 aircraft en route to Lakeland Linder International Airport, Florida, crashed into two homes in Sanford, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including the pilot, his passenger, and three people inside the houses. The pilot had reported smoke in the cockpit and attempted an emergency landing at the nearby airport.
In February 2024, a training plane crashed into an unoccupied parked plane at the Orlando Sanford International Airport. According to reports, the training flight landed short and collided with the parked aircraft. Three people were aboard the training flight, and while no serious injuries were reported, one person was taken to the hospital as a precaution. The incident involved two single-engine Cirrus SR20 aircraft from a local training facility, with one of them registered to Aeroism Academy Inc., a pilot training school.
These incidents highlight the importance of safety measures and emergency response protocols at Orlando Sanford International Airport and other aviation facilities. While the airport has experienced its share of accidents, the prompt response of emergency crews and investigations by relevant authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), help ensure the safety and well-being of passengers, staff, and nearby residents.
Airports with Departure Clearance: What Travelers Need to Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Sanford Florida Airport is officially named Orlando Sanford International Airport and is located at 1200 Red Cleveland Blvd, Sanford, FL 32773, US.
The airport code for Orlando Sanford International Airport is SFB.
Orlando Sanford International Airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways.
The airport was originally 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 City of Sanford then assumed control of the facility, renaming it Sanford Airport.
Orlando Sanford International Airport is accessible via major roadways such as I-95, SR 417, the Florida Turnpike, and I-4. Additionally, the airport is bordered by CSX rail on its westernmost edge, and the Lake Mary Sunrail and Sanford Sunrail stations are within a 15-20 minute drive.
![Sanford and Son / Good Times [2 Complete Series Collection DVD Sets]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81H79U5kptL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
