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Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (IATA: VPS, ICAO: KVPS, FAA LID: VPS) is located within Eglin Air Force Base, near Valparaiso and Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County, Florida. The airport is a dual-use facility serving both military and civilian needs. It offers a calm experience with a navigable building and free Wi-Fi. VPS is served by several commercial airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, which offer direct flights to major cities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport |
| Airport codes | IATA: VPS, ICAO: KVPS, FAA LID: VPS |
| Location | Eglin Air Force Base, Valparaiso, Okaloosa County, Florida, US |
| Distance from Valparaiso | 4 km |
| Distance from Destin | 16 miles |
| Travel time to Destin | 25 minutes |
| Aircraft | Military aircraft, Boeing 737 jetliners, Dornier 328 turboprops, Saab 340B turboprop |
| Airlines | Southern Airways, North Central Airlines, Republic Airlines, GLO Airlines, Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines |
| Destinations | Atlanta, Asheville, Baton Rouge, Columbia, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Greenville/Spartanburg, Huntsville, Knoxville, Lafayette, Las Vegas, Little Rock, Louisville, Orlando, Savannah, Shreveport, St. Louis, St. Petersburg, New Orleans, Tweed-New Haven, and many more |
| Facilities | Restaurants, gift shops, newsstands, Tropical Landing Bar, Quizno’s Subs, free Wi-Fi, car rentals |
| Parking | Short-term and long-term parking available |
| Terminal size | 116,000 sq ft (10,800 m2) |
| Runway dimensions | 12/30: 12,004 ft x 300 ft (3,659 m x 91 m), 02/20: 10,012 ft x 300 ft (3,052 m x 91 m) |
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What You'll Learn
The airport is located within Eglin Air Force Base
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (IATA: VPS, ICAO: KVPS, FAA LID: VPS) is located within Eglin Air Force Base, near Valparaiso and the cities of Destin and Fort Walton Beach, in Okaloosa County, Florida. The airport is just under 16 miles from Destin and around 25 minutes away by road. It is a unique dual-use facility, serving both military and civilian needs.
The airport covers 6,500 acres and shares two runways with Eglin Air Force Base. The passenger terminal is 116,000 sq ft and has five second-level gates with passenger jetways and three ground-level commuter gates with jetways. The two-level terminal opened in November 2004, and the old terminal building was demolished soon after. The airport has a range of amenities, including restaurants, gift shops, newsstands, and free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal. Short and long-term parking is also available, and rental car counters can be found in the baggage claim lobby on the lower level.
VPS is served by several commercial airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Southwest Airlines. These airlines offer direct flights to major cities such as Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Washington, D.C. Only commercial air traffic is allowed at VPS; non-commercial operations by general aviation and business aircraft must use the nearby Destin Executive Airport.
The airport is easily accessible, with State Road 85 providing a direct route to the terminal. Parking facilities are located to the left of the terminal, and the rental car return area is on the right. The airport loop road is a two-lane asphalt roadway that is approximately 3/4 of a mile long.
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It is near Valparaiso, Destin, and Fort Walton Beach
Ok, so VPS airport is located near Valparaiso in Florida. More specifically, it is close to Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Destin is a vibrant community with a range of amenities and attractions. These include Henderson Beach State Park, and there are also employment opportunities and recreational activities available. Destin has an Office of the City Clerk which can be contacted on (850) 837.4242 for any issues with inaccessible website features.
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It was previously called Northwest Florida Regional Airport
Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (IATA: VPS, ICAO: KVPS, FAA LID: VPS) is located within Eglin Air Force Base, near Destin and Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County, Florida. The airport was previously called Northwest Florida Regional Airport until February 17, 2015, when it was renamed from Northwest Florida Regional Airport to Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport. Before that, it was called Okaloosa Regional Airport until September 2008.
The airport is just under 16 miles from Destin and takes about 25 minutes to get to. Only commercial air traffic is permitted; non-commercial operations by general aviation and business aircraft must use the nearby Destin Executive Airport.
The airport has a 116,000 sq ft passenger terminal with five second-level gates with passenger jetways and three ground-level commuter gates with passenger jetways. The two-level terminal opened in November 2004, and the old terminal building was demolished soon after. The airport has a variety of restaurants, gift shops, and newsstands located near security and in the upper and lower concourse levels. Short-term and long-term parking is available, and rental car counters can be found in the baggage claim lobby on the lower level.
The airport's history dates back to 1957 when the Okaloosa County Air Terminal opened on Eglin Air Force Base with Southern Airways as the sole airline serving VPS. Over the years, the airport has expanded and undergone several name changes. In 1967, Southern Airways introduced the Douglas DC-9-10 jetliner, becoming the first airline to operate jets to the airport. In 1977, South Central Air Transport (SCAT), a commuter air carrier, began serving the airport with flights to various destinations in the South. In 1979, Southern Airways merged with North Central Airlines to form Republic Airlines, which operated nonstop flights to several cities.
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It offers free Wi-Fi and parking facilities
Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (IATA: VPS, ICAO: KVPS, FAA LID: VPS) is located within Eglin Air Force Base, near Valparaiso, Florida. The airport is adjacent to Destin and Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County.
VPS Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, allowing travellers to stay connected while waiting for their flights. In addition to free Wi-Fi, VPS also provides various amenities to ensure a comfortable and convenient experience for its passengers.
The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking options to cater to different traveller needs. Short-term parking is ideal for quick drop-offs or pick-ups, while long-term parking offers affordable and secure options for those embarking on longer journeys. For those seeking an even more premium experience, valet parking is also available, providing a stress-free parking service.
The parking facilities at VPS Airport were improved in the early 2000s as part of the new terminal expansion project. This expansion was designed with the Transportation Security Administration's "300-foot rule" in mind, ensuring a safe distance between parked vehicles and the terminal building. As a result, travellers can rest assured that their vehicles are securely parked while they are away.
In addition to its parking facilities, VPS Airport also boasts a range of other amenities. These include dining options, snack kiosks, gift shops, newsstands, and charging stations. Rental car counters from major companies like Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis are also conveniently located in the baggage claim lobby, allowing travellers to easily pick up their vehicles after landing.
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It is served by several commercial airlines
Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (IATA: VPS, ICAO: KVPS, FAA LID: VPS) is located within Eglin Air Force Base, near Valparaiso and the cities of Destin and Fort Walton Beach, in Okaloosa County, Florida. The airport is served by several commercial airlines, including major US carriers, and offers a range of amenities for passengers.
VPS airport is easily accessible, with transportation options including rental cars, taxis, and private vehicles. Short-term and long-term parking facilities are available, with improvements made in the early 2000s to meet the Transportation Security Administration's "300-foot rule". The airport is also conveniently located off State Road 85, making it convenient for travellers to navigate to and from.
Several commercial airlines serve VPS airport, providing connections to various destinations across the United States. These airlines include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines (until they ceased operations in 2022), Allegiant Air, and Southwest Airlines. Allegiant Air, in particular, expanded its operations at VPS with the exclusive use of Concourse C, offering flights to 35 destinations.
Historically, Southern Airways was the first airline to serve VPS, commencing operations in 1957 with Douglas DC-3s direct to Atlanta via multiple stops. Over the years, other airlines have also operated at VPS, including South Central Air Transport (SCAT), Republic Airlines (formed by the merger of Southern Airways and North Central Airlines), and Vision Airlines, which operated a small hub at VPS with flights to numerous destinations before eventually shutting down its operations there.
Today, VPS airport continues to be a vital gateway to the Emerald Coast, offering convenient access to the beautiful beaches and attractions of the region. With its range of commercial airline services and passenger-focused amenities, VPS airport caters to travellers visiting or departing from Northwest Florida.
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Frequently asked questions
The VPS airport is located in Okaloosa County, Florida, within Eglin Air Force Base, near Valparaiso, Destin, and Fort Walton Beach.
VPS stands for Valparaiso, one of the cities adjacent to the airport.
VPS airport was previously known as Northwest Florida Regional Airport until 2015 and as Okaloosa Regional Airport until 2008.
The VPS airport offers free Wi-Fi, restaurants, gift shops, newsstands, car rental services, and parking facilities.
Several commercial airlines serve VPS airport, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Southwest Airlines. These airlines offer direct flights to major cities such as Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Washington, D.C.
