Misplaced Pages

#854145

75-706: Annually, around March–April, the airport hosts the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, a six-day fly-in , airshow and aviation convention. It is the second largest such event in the United States after the Experimental Aircraft Association 's (EAA) annual "AirVenture" event each summer at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin . The airport is home to the southeast regional air cargo hub for Amazon Air , which started operations at

150-533: A "DayPort" facility in the airport's main terminal building. DayJet ceased operations in September 2008 and subsequently declared bankruptcy. Scheduled airline flights returned to the airport in June 2011, when Direct Air flying Boeing 737s began service to Myrtle Beach, SC; Niagara Falls, NY, and Springfield, IL. Service ended on March 13, 2012, when Direct Air unexpectedly announced an end to operations. Direct Air

225-453: A 50,000-gallon fuel farm (5,000 sq ft), and a general aviation terminal (11,000 sq ft) along with a 120,000 sq ft ramp. The airport's newest tenant, Amazon Air , completed construction of their southeast regional air cargo hub in July 2020. Initially, Amazon Air leased 47 acres of a 110-acre parcel and will soon be expanding onto the adjacent parcel. Aircraft currently serving Amazon Air include

300-712: A connection to Terminals A/B via the Terminal Link people mover. There are plans to add an additional terminal, Terminal D, to the South Terminal Complex east of the Intermodal Terminal when the airport reaches 70 million passengers annually. The final estimated capacity of the airport is set at 100 million passengers annually when completed. When fully complete, the South Terminal Complex will have 120 gates in both terminals C and D. The Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal

375-500: A day to Orlando (MCO) , using 15-passenger Beech 99s . Due to low demand, the flights ended September 15, 1980. Delta Connection , operated by Comair on behalf of Delta Airlines , briefly provided commuter flights to Orlando from December 15, 1987 through early 1988 using Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante 's. From 2006 to 2008 the airport had limited air service under FAR Part 135 (AirTaxi) provided by DayJet utilizing Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ) aircraft. DayJet also maintained

450-595: A defense contractor, Draken International , is headquartered at the airport. Draken provides training support to the US Military with their fleet of privately owned tactical aircraft, which includes Douglas A-4 Skyhawk , General Dynamics F-16 , Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 , Aermacchi MB-339 , Aero L-39 Albatros , and Dassault Mirage F1 , the Atlas Cheetah , and the Aero L-159 Alca aircraft. One of

525-432: A fare premium at MCO as anticipated, passenger preference for SFB, higher costs at MCO than expected and a more efficient operating environment at SFB. Allegiant Air resumed operating some flights at MCO in 2024. In March 2015, Emirates announced that they would begin daily service to the airport from Dubai International Airport beginning September 1, 2015. The airport had tried to attract Emirates for five years before

600-462: A general military drawdown following the end of the Vietnam War . The airport serves as a hub for Silver Airways , an operating base for Avelo Airlines , Breeze Airways , Frontier Airlines , Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines , as well as a focus city for JetBlue . Southwest is the airport's largest carrier by passengers carried. The airport is also a major international gateway for

675-461: A parking garage without pulling a ticket or stopping to pay the parking fee. The two toll roads that serve the airport, SR 528 (Beachline Expressway) and SR 417 (Central Florida GreeneWay) , use these systems for automatic toll collection . The original terminal building, a converted hangar, was described as inadequate for the task at hand even when it was first opened as Orlando Jetport. After its closure in 1981, it passed through several tenants,

750-511: A ramp tower, an international arrivals facility, and a wing for regional aircraft under the people mover guideway . Delta would later pull much of its large aircraft from its hub operations and focused its service there on regional flights via their Delta Connection affiliate Comair . Comair operated intra-Florida flights as well as flights to other southeastern cities and to the Caribbean. In 2002, Chautauqua Airlines replaced Comair as

825-620: A restaurant. A Hilton Garden Inn is located adjacent to the terminal. A Staybridge Suites extended stay hotel became the second hotel at the Lakeland Airport, which opened in December 2017 and sits on 2.18 acres next to the Hilton Garden Inn. This new lodging accommodates the expansion of nearby corporate parks, distribution centers, and the increasing capacity of the airport facilities. The restaurant, Waco Kitchen, which

SECTION 10

#1732786914855

900-546: A subchannel of WOMX-FM . FlyMCO 105.1 HD2 provides access to airport information, local weather, and music. In 2017, the airport reached 44.6 million passengers, surpassing Miami International Airport to become the busiest airport in the state of Florida. The Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal , which was partially funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, opened in November 2017 and

975-483: A total of 93 gates. The airport features an on-site Hyatt Regency hotel within the main terminal structure. The hotel is located on the east side of the Terminal A/B complex with a fourth floor lobby level and guest rooms beginning on level five and above. The hotel features an expansive lobby area for guests awaiting flights, convention space, several bars, and two restaurants including a signature restaurant on

1050-464: A year later in 1976, but retained its old IATA airport code MCO and ICAO airport code KMCO. The airport became a U.S. Customs Service Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) in 1978, said zone being designated as FTZ #42. In 1979, the facility was also designated as a large hub airport by the FAA based on flight operations and passenger traffic. In 1978, construction of the current Landside Terminal and two Airsides on

1125-461: Is 5,005 by 150 feet (1,526 by 46 m). It has one turf runway: 8/26, which is 2,208 by 60 feet (673 by 18 m) and requires prior permission to use. Over the years the airport has seen a number of layout modifications. An original northwest–southeast 5,000-foot (1,500 m) runway was converted to a taxiway to permit construction of the Publix supermarket chain's corporate aircraft facility on

1200-569: Is a nonprofit organization in Lakeland, Florida dedicated to the promotion of aviation education. It is best known for the annual week-long fly-in and airshow at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland, Florida , usually held during late March or early April. Previously called the ' Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In and Expo , for 2020 the event was officially renamed the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo in April 2019. In addition to

1275-517: Is based out of Battle Creek, Michigan is considered “farm to table,” meaning that the ingredients served are locally sourced. With a growing demand from international operators the airport began planning and design of a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection General Aviation Facility (User Fee Facility) in 2015. With the opening of its customs office in 2017, LAL is now capable of accepting an array of international flights. Sun %27n Fun Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo (officially styled SUN 'n FUN )

1350-590: Is connected to the Terminal A/B complex by Terminal Link , an automated people mover. The $ 684 million station included a new 2,500 space parking garage (which would also be the parking garage for Terminal C), and the Orlando station for the Brightline higher speed regional rail service to South Florida which began service in 2023. The station reused some of the plans of the Orlando Airport station of

1425-556: Is equipped with a Category II/III Instrument Landing System (ILS), and High Intensity Approach Light System with Sequenced Flashers ( ALSF-2 ). In addition, runways 5/23 and 28 have published non-precision approaches. The airport has been a tower-controlled airport since the 1970s and the FAA operates a Level I air traffic control tower under the FAA Contract Tower Program. The FAA also installed an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) ground station at

1500-770: Is host to Central Florida Aerospace Academy, a public high school with over 250 students. The academy, part of the Polk County Public Schools, maintains four tracks that students can follow throughout their high school career, including A&P, Aerospace, Avionics, and Engineering. LAL also hosts the Lakeland Aero-Club, which is the largest high school flying club in the nation. The club builds and restores vintage aircraft, promotes flight training to its members, and flies to Oshkosh, Wisconsin "Airventure" annually in all antique airplanes providing members with cross-country flight training. In addition,

1575-464: Is the first commercial passenger service to the airport since Direct Air ended operations in 2012. On July 24, 2024, Avelo announced flights to 7 additional destinations from Lakeland, as well as plans to make the airport an operating base. The airport hosts 84 businesses and organizations that employ over 3,494 people. Through the combination of aircraft operations and local businesses, the airport has an economic impact of over $ 1.5 billion (in 2021). For

SECTION 20

#1732786914855

1650-414: Is the primary international airport located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of Downtown Orlando , Florida. In 2021, it had 19,618,838 enplanements , making it the busiest airport in the state and seventh busiest airport in the United States . The airport code MCO stands for the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base , a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation, that was closed in 1975 as part of

1725-533: The B-26 Marauder . After the war ended, the Army Airfield was left unused due to the size of the facility far exceeding the needs of the city as well as the costs involved of converting it to civil use. By the 1950s, Lakeland Municipal Airport (renamed Al Lodwick Field in 1948) was dwindling due to the closure of Lodwick Aircraft, the airport's primary tenant. With the closure of Lodwick Aircraft,

1800-866: The Boeing 737 Next Generation and the Boeing 767 . From the 1970s until 2001, the airfield was a joint civil-military facility when it hosted Army Aviation Support Facility #2 of the Florida Army National Guard , operating since-retired UH-1 Huey helicopters, followed by the locally based UH-60 L Blackhawk helicopters of Detachment D, 171st Aviation Battalion (TA). This unit was later redesignated Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment (Co B/1-171 AVN), augmented by Detachment 1, Hotel Company, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment Det 1-H Co/1-171 AVN) flying two C-23 Sherpa aircraft. The establishment of these units and aircraft in Lakeland

1875-508: The Florida Army National Guard in the former McCoy AFB Officers Club complex, an Army Reserve intelligence unit in the former SAC Alert Facility, the 1st Lieutenant David R. Wilson Armed Forces Reserve Center supporting multiple units of the Army Reserve , Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve that was constructed in 2002, and a large Navy Exchange for active, reserve and retired military personnel and their dependents. In 1975,

1950-757: The Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Council of Economic Education. He was named Florida's Free Enterpriser of the Year in 1988, received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Florida, and was named 1989 Florida Entrepreneur of the Year. Paul Scott Linder died on November 11, 1990. In November 2017 Lakeland Linder International Airport opened their first U.S. Customs and Border Protection General Aviation Facility allowing international aircraft with 20 passengers or fewer to land at

2025-681: The KC-135 Stratotanker . It was also used by EC-121 Warning Star early warning aircraft of the 966th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron , a tenant unit at McCoy assigned to the Aerospace Defense Command . During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, McCoy AFB became a temporary forward operating base for more than 120 F-100 Super Sabre and F-105 Thunderchief fighter bombers and

2100-602: The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World led to a significant increase in air travel as Orlando became a major tourist destination. For much of the 1970s, Shawnee Airlines would directly link MCO with Walt Disney World using de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter commuter aircraft. These connecting flights flew from MCO to the Walt Disney World STOL Airport , a small, short-lived airfield near

2175-489: The White Sands Missile Range , New Mexico. Eastern Air Lines used Orlando as a focus city during the 1970s and early 1980s, and became "the official airline of Walt Disney World ." Following Eastern's demise, Delta Air Lines assumed this role. Delta Air Lines began operating a hub at MCO in 1987. Airside 4, which opened in 1990, was primarily designed for Delta's hub operation and it included

2250-487: The 1950s, the base began hosting SAC's annual Bombing and Navigation Competition. A B-47 Stratojet crashed during the 1958 competition, killing Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, commander of the 321st Bombardment Wing , which was the host wing for Pinecastle AFB. The following year the base was renamed for McCoy. The base later was home to the 306th Bombardment Wing operating the B-52 Stratofortress and

2325-519: The 1970s the facility was renamed Lakeland Regional Airport; in the late 1980s it was again renamed as Lakeland Linder Regional Airport for local businessman Paul Scott Linder. Linder had founded Lakeland-based Linder Industrial Machinery, a multimillion-dollar heavy construction machinery company, in 1953. The Chairman of the Lakeland Economic Development Council, Linder was also director of the Florida Council of 100,

Lakeland Linder International Airport - Misplaced Pages Continue

2400-497: The Army Aviation Support Facility at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, U.S. Navy aircraft from Pensacola, and other transient military aircraft throughout the United States continue to use the airfield for practice approaches, landings, and takeoffs. The airport's principal fixed-base operator (FBO) also continues to provide DoD contract jet fuel services for transient military aircraft. LAL

2475-467: The Florida region, with over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines. The airport also serves 135 domestic and international destinations. At 11,605 acres (4,696 ha), MCO is one of the largest commercial airports in terms of land area in the United States. In addition, the airport is home to a maintenance base for United Airlines . The airport was also a hub for Delta Air Lines until 2007. The airfield

2550-502: The Magic Kingdom's parking lot. Deregulation of the airline industry in 1978 also contributed to increases in air service to Orlando. When McCoy AFB closed in 1975, part of the facility stayed under military control to support Naval Training Center Orlando and several tenant commands. There are only a few enclaves on the original McCoy AFB site that the military still uses such as the 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade from

2625-710: The Orlando Jetport began shortly after an agreement was signed by the city and USAF in October 1961. Over the next few years airline flights shifted from the old Herndon Airport (renamed in 1982 as the Orlando Executive Airport ). In 1971 scheduled airlines were Delta Air Lines , Eastern Air Lines , National Airlines and Southern Airways . As the years progressed many other airlines have also begun to offer regularly scheduled flights to Orlando Executive Airport, including Spirit Airlines, Copa Air, LATAM Airlines and many more. The 1971 opening of

2700-619: The airfield's air traffic control tower was turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) and the airport established its own crash, fire and rescue department, initially utilizing equipment transferred by the GSA. In the early 1960s, when jet airline flights came to Orlando, the installation became a joint civil-military facility. Early jetliners such as the Boeing 707 , Boeing 720 , Douglas DC-8 and Convair 880 required longer and sturdier runways than

2775-519: The airline left the airport in 1962. During the 1960s and into the early 1970s, prior to airline deregulation , airline service was provided by Allegheny Commuter and the former Sun Airlines. Allegheny Commuter arrived in Lakeland on February 22, 1979. This was after The Deregulation Act of 1978. Chautauqua Airlines of Jamestown, NY provided the service under the Allegheny Commuter affiliation with USAir. The service provided 5 roundtrips

2850-618: The airport grounds. Completed in August 2011, it accommodates 500 high school students, increasing its previous capacity of 175 students. The first weekend fly-in, called Mid-Winter Sun 'n Fun, was held in January 1975 at the Lakeland Municipal Airport and was limited to pilots and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), SESAC and FSAACA members. A total of 1,980 guests and 365 aircraft were present. The following year,

2925-465: The airport hosts two colleges (Polk State College) and Southeastern University (Florida) , as well as a career college (Travis Technical College). Polk State has over 240 students between their four-degree programs (Aerospace Administration, Aerospace Sciences, Aviation Maintenance Administration, and Professional Pilot Science). PSC is the only public college offering bachelor's degrees in Aerospace in

3000-481: The airport in July 2020. In 1940 the Lakeland City Commission passed a resolution to replace the city's Lakeland Municipal Airport , which was built in 1933 and early 1934. The new airport, tentatively named Lakeland Municipal Airport No. 2, was named Drane Field in honor of Herbert J. Drane , one of Lakeland's outstanding citizens. The city had barely begun work on the new airport when, with

3075-690: The airport to the Orange County Convention Center , the Florida Mall , and the Sand Lake Road SunRail station , or a light rail link running along a similar route as the maglev alternative between the airport and International Drive. Orlando International Airport has 3 terminals. The North Terminal Complex consists of a large main terminal building divided into north and south sides, and four airside concourses accessible with elevated people movers , with

Lakeland Linder International Airport - Misplaced Pages Continue

3150-755: The airport with a total of four runways. In 1978, the airport handled 5 million passengers . By 2018, that number had risen to 47 million. Today it covers 47 square kilometers (18.1 sq mi) and is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area after Denver International Airport which covers 136 square kilometers (52.4 sq mi), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport which covers 70 square kilometers (26.9 sq mi), Southwest Florida International Airport which covers 55 square kilometers (21.2 sq mi), and Washington Dulles International Airport which covers 53 square kilometers (20.3 sq mi). MCO has North America's fourth tallest control tower at 345 feet, replacing two earlier Air Force and FAA control towers. Orlando

3225-444: The airport's fixed base operators, Sheltair Aviation, services private and general aviation aircraft. The company also recently entered a partnership with Sun 'n Fun with a percentage of their fuel sales supporting aviation education. The airport will soon receive its newest and second fixed base operator, Aero Center Lakeland . The facility will include new hangars for maintenance and storage (a 10,000 sq ft and 15,000 sq ft hangar),

3300-534: The airport. Emergency services are provided by the Lakeland Fire Department, which maintains a 24-hour staffed station on the airfield with a specialized crash truck and crew providing aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) capability. The airport maintains ARFF Index B and is capable of meeting Index C with prior notice. The main terminal building contains the airport administrative offices, passenger processing area, passenger waiting areas, and

3375-516: The busiest carrier at MCO. Saudi Arabian Airlines began service to Orlando in 1994. Its seasonal flights to Jeddah proved popular among Saudi tourists. Bookings declined after the September 11 attacks , however, so Saudi Arabian terminated the link. On February 22, 2005, the airport became the first airport in Florida to accept E-Pass and SunPass toll transponders as a form of payment for parking. The system allows drivers to enter and exit

3450-463: The city decided to phase out Lodwick Field as a municipal airport in the summer of 1957 and concentrate its resources on Drane Field in south Lakeland. Drane Field had deteriorated and languished underutilized for many years following the departure of the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1945. After several years of new construction and conversion to a civil airport, it was rededicated as Lakeland Municipal Airport in 1960 with Don Emerson as its first director. In

3525-476: The east side of the airport was bonded in 1986, with Runway 17/35 (now 17R/35L) completed in 1989. Airside 4 opened in 1990 and also contains an International Concourse for the processing of international flights. Airside 2, which filled out what will become known as the North Terminal complex, was completed in 2000, with the last additional gates added in 2006. Runway 17L/35R was opened in 2003, providing

3600-450: The field with an approved overflight permit. In 2021 the airport had 128,576 aircraft operations, averaging 352 per day: 92% general aviation , 2% military, 1% air taxi , and 6% airline. In December 2021, 251 aircraft were based at the airport: 154 single-engine, 31 multi-engine, 60 jet, 3 helicopter , and 3 glider. With the impending closure of Lodwick Field, National Airlines (1934–1980) moved their Lodestars to Drane Field in 1947;

3675-705: The final Air Force contingent departed McCoy AFB and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) was established as a state-chartered local governmental agency and an enterprise fund of the city of Orlando. GOAA's mission was to operate, manage and oversee construction of expansions and improvements to both the Orlando International Airport and the Orlando Executive Airport. The airport gained its current name and international airport status

3750-717: The first US performance of the Breitling Jet Team. In 2017, the show featured the French Air Force Patrouille de France aerobatic team, making it the second appearance in the US (the first being at the Melbourne Air And Space Show on April 1–3) in more than 30 years. The team flew one show on April 4. Orlando International Airport Orlando International Airport ( IATA : MCO , ICAO : KMCO , FAA LID : MCO )

3825-465: The fly-in was expanded to a full week, and the City of Lakeland approved a lease for the convention site to be moved to the southwest quadrant of the airport. The public was invited on a limited basis. The number of visiting aircraft more than tripled compared to the first year, with 1,200 aircraft including 200 homebuilts; 180 antiques; 260 classics; and 28 warbirds on site. Snow fell at the airport for

SECTION 50

#1732786914855

3900-790: The fly-in, at one time Sun 'n Fun also operated the Florida Air Museum and supported the Central Florida Aerospace Academy—an aviation-focused career academy operated by the Polk County School Board as part of Kathleen High School . In October 2019 a reorganization made the fly-in part of the Aerospace Center for Excellence, a non-profit organization that was established in 2014 to provide young students with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) instruction. The event

3975-511: The last of which was UPS . It was demolished in May 2006. On February 1, 2010, Allegiant Air began operations at the airport. The company moved one half of its schedule from its operating base at nearby Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) to MCO to test revenue at the higher cost airport. After evaluating the routes out of Orlando, the carrier decided to consolidate and return its Orlando area operations to SFB citing an inability to achieve

4050-451: The last three years, there was an average of $ 77 million in capital projects per year, accounting for 596 jobs. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ′s (NOAA) Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) relocated to Lakeland from MacDill Air Force Base in June 2017. NOAA AOC is the headquarters for all nine research aircraft operated by NOAA, including their world-famous NOAA Hurricane Hunters ( WP-3D Orion aircraft). In addition,

4125-502: The local economic impact of the new service will be up to $ 100 million annually. The inaugural flight was made with an Airbus A380 . Regularly scheduled flights operate with Boeing 777-300ERs . Gate 90 was updated in the summer of 2018 with 3 jetways to be able to properly handle the A380, 3 years after the airplane first arrived at Orlando, docking at Gate 84. In May 2016, the airport launched its own radio station, FlyMCO 105.1 HD2,

4200-491: The northeast corner of the field for conversion into a civil air terminal. The city would then cover the cost of building a replacement missile maintenance hangar on the main base's western flight line. The new civil facility would be known as the Orlando Jetport at McCoy and would operate alongside McCoy AFB. This agreement became a model for other joint civil-military airports in operation today. Airline flights to

4275-478: The northwest end, while Runway 10/28 was lengthened to 6,000 feet (1,800 m) in the late 1950s and then to 8,500 feet (2,600 m) in the late 1990s. Runway 10/28, its associated taxiway system, and the current airport terminal ramp area can accommodate up to Boeing 747 and 777 aircraft. The Lakeland VORTAC is on the airfield and runways 10/28 and 5/23 have high-intensity runway lighting (HIRL) and P4L precision approach path indicator (PAPI) systems. Runway 10

4350-718: The now defunct Florida High Speed Rail project. In May 2015, the Board of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) voted unanimously to approve construction of the $ 1.8 billion South Terminal Complex. Construction of the first phase of the South Terminal Complex, Terminal C, began in 2017. Terminal C opened on September 19, 2022 with 20 gates. Terminal C is connected to the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal , which provides

4425-534: The ones at Herndon Airport (now Orlando Executive Airport ). Nearby lakes and commercial and residential development made expansion impractical, so an agreement was reached between the City of Orlando and the United States Air Force in 1962 to use McCoy AFB under a joint arrangement. The military offered a large AGM-28 Hound Dog missile maintenance hangar and its associated flight line ramp area in

4500-552: The only time in show history to date during the 1977 show. In 1992, The Sun 'n Fun Air Museum (now the Florida Air Museum ) held its grand opening. In 1997, the Brazilian Air Force's Aerial Demonstration Squadron (known as the Smoke Squadron ) was the featured act. In 2000, Airshow legend Bob Hoover performed the last flight of his Shrike Commander at the fly-in. Two years later, Bobby Younkin debuted

4575-404: The primary Delta Connection carrier at MCO. Delta closed the Orlando hub entirely in 2007. Orlando-based AirTran Airways also operated a hub at MCO from 1993 to 2014. After Delta closed their hub in 2007, AirTran relocated their hub to Airside 4, using some of Delta's former gates which allowed them to double their capacity. AirTran merged with Southwest Airlines in 2014, which is today

SECTION 60

#1732786914855

4650-404: The primary base for U-2 reconnaissance aircraft flying over Cuba. One of these U-2s was shot down by Soviet-operated SA-2 Guideline surface-to-air missiles near Banes, Cuba. Its pilot, Major Rudolf Anderson Jr., USAF, was the crisis' only combat death. Following the crisis, McCoy AFB hosted a permanent U-2 operating detachment of the 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing until 1973. McCoy AFB

4725-531: The program moved to Muroc Army Airfield in California– now Edwards AFB – for the world's first supersonic flight. With the establishment of an independent U.S. Air Force in 1947, the airfield was briefly placed in caretaker status, until being reactivated during the Korean War as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility for B-47 Stratojets and KC-97 Stratofreighters and renamed Pinecastle AFB . In

4800-469: The service was announced. Orlando International was the first airport in Florida served by Emirates. The airline expects three major markets for the flights: leisure and corporate travelers along with locals of Asian heritage traveling to Asia, which is well-served by the airline. Greater Orlando Aviation Association Chair Frank Kruppenbacher called the new service "without question the biggest, most significant move forward for our airport" and estimates that

4875-406: The state of Florida. Southeastern University offers an accelerated and affordable flight training program while attending classes. Travis Technical College allows students to obtain their A&P license after high school. The airport encompasses 1,710 acres (690 hectares) at an elevation of 142 feet (43 m). It has two asphalt runways: 10/28 is 8,500 by 150 feet (2,591 by 46 m) and 5/23

4950-692: The war already raging in Europe, it leased the facility to the War Department. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers improved the three existing runways and built a training facility for bombers and fighters. The new base, initially a sub-base of MacDill Field in Tampa, was named Lakeland Army Air Field , but was still known as Drane Field . Thousands of U.S. Army Air Forces pilots, navigators, bombardiers and flight crew received part of their advanced flight training at Lakeland during World War II , primarily in

5025-508: The west side of the terminal (known today as Airsides 1 and 3) began, opening in 1981. The terminal's layout was heavily based on the current terminal at Tampa International Airport , which opened a decade prior. In 1983 a small chapel was opened memorializing Michael Galvin who died during the construction of the airport's expansion. The original International Concourse was housed in Airside 1 and opened in 1984. Funding to commence developing

5100-406: The world's first aerobatic Learjet. During the 2004 show, Bruce Bohannon and his turbocharged Exxon Flyin' Tiger set four time to climb world records. On March 31, 2011, an EF1 tornado hit the grounds of the airshow, resulting in damage to 40-50 aircraft, along with display tents and exhibits. Fifteen people received minor injuries. The airshow continued the next day. The 2015 show featured

5175-589: Was a designated Space Shuttle emergency landing site. The west-side runways, Runway 18L/36R and Runway 18R/36L, were designed for B-52 Stratofortress bombers, and due to their proximity to NASA 's John F. Kennedy Space Center , were an obvious choice for an emergency landing should an emergency return to launch site (RTLS) attempt to land at KSC have fallen short. The runway was also an emergency divert site for NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Transport Aircraft when relocating orbiters from either west coast modification work or divert recoveries at Edwards AFB , California or

5250-519: Was built to accommodate an extension of the SunRail commuter rail service. The route to the current SunRail line would travel along an Orlando Utilities Commission rail spur, before either branching off to the intermodal station, or have an intermediate transfer point on to light rail to complete the journey to this station. Multiple options are being considered for a link to International Drive , either with elevated maglev train system , connecting

5325-658: Was due primarily to the efforts of former U.S. Senator and later Governor of Florida, Lawton Chiles (D-FL), a Lakeland native. In 2001, the Florida Army National Guard aviation units relocated to a new facility at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport in Brooksville, Florida. Despite the military's departure from Lakeland Linder International Airport, Florida Army National Guard aircraft, as well as Air Force aircraft from MacDill AFB, Coast Guard aircraft from CGAS Clearwater, Army Reserve aircraft from

5400-535: Was founded in 1974. The Florida Air Museum at Sun 'n Fun is also located on the Sun 'n Fun campus at Lakeland Linder International Airport . In April 2010, Sun 'n Fun received a US$ 7.5M grant from the Aviation Education Foundation for the new Central Florida Aerospace Academy building. The school is an existing aviation-oriented high school and career academy that is already located on

5475-570: Was identified for closure in early 1973 as part of a post-Vietnam reduction in force. The following year, McCoy's 306th Bombardment Wing was inactivated, its B-52 D Stratofortress and KC-135 A Stratotanker aircraft reassigned to other SAC units and most of the McCoy AFB facility turned over to the city of Orlando by the General Services Administration (GSA) in late 1974 and early and mid 1975. USAF responsibility for

5550-492: Was originally constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility and military operations began in 1942 as Orlando Army Air Field #2 , an auxiliary airfield to Orlando Army Air Base , now known as Orlando Executive Airport . Orlando Army Air Field #2 was renamed Pinecastle Army Airfield in January 1943. At the end of World War II , Pinecastle was briefly used for unpowered glide tests of the Bell X-1 from B-29 aircraft before

5625-637: Was then subject to Chapter 7 liquidation on April 12, 2012. On July 23, 2020, Amazon Air commenced operations following the opening of a brand new 285,000 square foot cargo processing facility. Its flights at Lakeland Linder International are operated by Air Transport International and Sun Country Airlines . On December 18, 2023, the airport announced that Avelo Airlines will commence commercial flights from Lakeland Linder beginning in Spring, 2024. On March 27, 2024, Avelo announced twice-weekly service to Tweed New Haven Airport , starting on June 13, 2024. This

#854145