March 28, 2024

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Well Connected

Florida’s transport system offers an easy ride for people and products by air, sea, road and rail.


At Tampa International Airport, where 18.9 million passengers were served in 2006, improvements are ongoing. [Photo: Tampa International Airport]
With 12,000 miles of state highways, 21 major commercial airports, 14 deepwater seaports and nearly 3,000 miles of rail — not to mention one Spaceport at Cape Canaveral — Florida’s transportation infrastructure is unlike any other in the nation. And people are taking notice. In July 2007, CNBC, America’s Business Channel and CNBC.com published the results of their state-by-state analysis of transportation systems, which considered such parameters as value of goods shipped by air, land and water; availability of air travel; and quality of roads. Florida was ranked number 1.

To further add to the depth of transportation options available here, Cecil Field in Jacksonville is vying to become Florida’s second Spaceport. The Jacksonville Airport Authority, which oversees Cecil Field, has applied to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a Spaceport license. Considering that Cecil already serves as a backup landing strip for the Space Shuttle, the prospects for this former naval air station becoming a real player in the space industry look good.

Air & Space

» Non-stop scheduled air service is available from Florida to more than 160 domestic and international destinations.

» Florida has more direct flights to Latin American and Caribbean destinations than all other U.S. cities combined.
» Florida is host to nearly a third of all commercial space activity worldwide.

Flying High

Of the 779 general aviation facilities in Florida, 127 are public. Polk County boasts the largest number of public airports (eight), followed by Volusia County with seven.

Among Florida’s 21 major commercial and international airports, Orlando International Airport is the busiest in terms of passengers: Just under 35 million were served in 2006. Miami International Airport (MIA), which served 32.5 million passengers in 2006, is the state’s busiest in terms of operations: Just under 400,000 planes either departed from or arrived at MIA last year.

Upgrades all around

Panama City-Bay County International Airport — Groundbreaking for the first major airport to be built in the nation since the September 11 terrorist attacks is slated for winter 2007. The federal government has committed $72 million to fund the relocation of the existing Panama City-Bay County International Airport to a site in West Bay on land owned by The St. Joe Company. In May 2007, the state of Florida added another $67 million to the $119 million it had already committed to the relocation effort.

Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers) — Two FAA grants totaling more than $5 million are funding improvements at SWFIA. One $3.5-million grant will be targeted for airfield upgrades; the other will go toward improving public use areas at the terminal. Recent developments include runway rehabilitation: lengthening (to 12,000 feet) and widening (to 150 feet) and installation of an in-pavement centerline and touch-down-zone lighting system.

Miami International Airport — A new state-of-the-art $2-million vehicle/employee security checkpoint has opened on the airport’s southeast side. The security checkpoint includes wider booths and additional lanes for vehicle inspection.

Daytona Beach International Airport— AirTran has announced plans to offer year-round service. Initially a seasonal carrier into and out of Volusia County, AirTran quickly found the area to be a successful year-round market for business travelers and commuters.

Key West International Airport — Portable runway illumination signs, a motorized runway sweeper and an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle are among the $1-million investment in improvements here.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport — Passenger traffic for May 2007 was up 4.6% from May 2006, with international travel responsible for the majority of the increase.

Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport — Work continues on a $7-million terminal renovation begun in summer 2006, including replacement of the HVAC system.

Jacksonville International Airport — An $18-million baggage screening system that will scan luggage in the mezzanine area is being installed just below passenger check-in, and work continues on a $170-million terminal expansion project.

Tampa International Airport — A $33.5- million renovation has resulted in a seven-level, 710-space rental car garage. Adjacent to the new 420,000-square-foot garage are car rental counters and offices relocated from a baggage claim area. The improvements accommodate the ever-increasing number of passengers arriving at and departing from TIA.

Tags: North Central, Business Florida

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