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Florida has long been called “Gateway to the Americas.” Today, with its interconnected web of highways, railways, airports and seaports — plus the Spaceport at Cape Canaveral — the state is well on its way to becoming gateway to the world ... and beyond.
Orlando International Airport, where, in fall 2007, Lufthansa launched non-stop service between Orlando and Frankfurt, Germany, reported a 9.5% increase in international passengers in 2007. At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the number of international passengers swelled by a whopping 20.4% in 2007.
Florida boasts 12,000 miles of state highways, 19 commercial airports, 14 deepwater seaports and nearly 3,000 miles of rail, and there’s a whole lot more to come.
In the coming year, Florida will spend $8.2 billion on transportation priorities — $7 billion on road-building alone. And Florida will soon be home to the nation’s newest international airport, the first to be built in the U.S. in more than a decade. The Panama City-Bay County International Airport is currently under construction with flights set to begin by May 2010.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport handled 22.7 million passengers and 151,289 tons of cargo in 2007. [Photo courtesy of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport] |
Air & Space
 Non-stop scheduled air service is available from Florida to more than 160 domestic and international destinations.
Florida airports generate nearly $90 billion annually in economic activity and support more than 1 million jobs.
Florida is host to nearly a third of all commercial space activity worldwide. |
Up, Up and Away
Orlando International Airport is Florida’s busiest airport — serving 36.5 million passengers in 2007 — but it isn’t the only one that continues to prosper and grow. Miami International Airport, fueled by a 5.5% jump in the number of international passengers, handled more than 33.7 million passengers in 2007. And Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers recorded its busiest year ever, accommodating more than 8 million passengers in 2007.
Airports Keep Growing
Tampa International Airport — In 2008, TIA reached an agreement with Pemco World Air Services that allows the Dothan, Ala.-based provider of heavy maintenance and modification services for commercial aircraft to begin operations from a 150,000-square-foot, five-bay maintenance hangar on the airport grounds. The company, which began servicing aircraft at TIA in July 2008, plans to create 410 jobs at its new Tampa location.
Jacksonville International Airport — A spacious new concourse, including a 160-foot moving walkway, opened here in 2008 as part of a $170-million airport-wide upgrade. The renovation of a second concourse is expected to be completed by summer 2009.
Gainesville Regional Airport — The $1.65-million rehabilitation of Taxiway B is slated for completion in early 2009, including new asphalt, high-efficiency LED lighting and signage.
Palm Beach International Airport — terraAmerica, one of Portugal’s leading tourism companies, began non-stop charter airline service between Lisbon and Palm Beach in July 2008. The charter program, which includes tie-ins to six local hotels, is terraAmerica’s first entry into the U.S. market.
Okaloosa Regional Airport — Construction began in 2008 on projects at all three airports operated in Okaloosa County, including a $2.6-million runway rehabilitation at Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview. Plans for a $51-million expansion over the next five years include a new shared rental car facility and terminal building improvements.
Pensacola Regional Airport — A planned $104-million makeover will include expansion of the concourse and terminal, parking garage, rental car facilities and air carrier apron.
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