Airports vital to Florida’s economy. And future

Air travel was one of the top five industries most affected by COVID-19. Talk about a turnaround. Today, airports are thriving, with Florida airports recovering much faster than predicted and experiencing passenger growth at alarmingly high rates.

Southwest Florida International Airport recovered quicker than most airports in the country. A record 1,514,046 passengers arrived and departed in March 2022 making it the busiest month in the 39-year history of the Fort Myers airport. Passenger traffic in March increased 30 percent year over year.  Overall for 2022, the passenger count remains strong and stands at 17.6 percent higher than it was a year ago at this time.

The Lee County Port Authority also reported March was its strongest month in the 40-year history of Page Field, the area’s small public airport. 

Orlando International Airport ended 2021 as the busiest airport in Florida and 7th in the nation. More than 40 million passengers traveled through Orlando for the year, up over 86 percent from 2020 totals.

Miami International is the second busiest in Florida and 10th in the nation. Two years after the pandemic, Miami is experiencing its busiest year ever and is on pace to surpass 50 million annual passengers for the first time in its history.

Great news came last year for the aviation industry when the Senate passed a historic bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, setting the stage for the largest investment in American infrastructure in a generation. The bill included $25 billion in federal funding on top of regular Airport Improvement Program funds for airports. Now that new life has been breathed into the travel industry,  this funding will be vital for the long-term sustainability of the airline industry. 

Last December, $240,451,192 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was awarded to make much-needed improvements to air travel infrastructure and support Florida’s tourism-based economy.

As part of the funds, a total of 98 Florida airports are to receive funding.

In addition to these guaranteed funds, Florida’s airports were able to compete with other airports throughout the country for an additional $5 billion in grants for terminal and landside improvements.

In July 2022, The Biden administration announced it was giving nearly $1 billion to 85 airports to expand and upgrade terminals and other facilities. Florida Airports receiving funding included:

• Gainesville $1,677,250
• Orlando $50 million 
• Sarasota Bradenton $10 million 

Upgrades to airports across Florida will help them serve more customers while keeping them current and competitive. Improvements will include terminal and concourse expansions and additions, capacity improvements like enhancing safety and efficiency by streamlining security checkpoints, adding concession space and providing passengers more amenities and options.

Florida’s economic success is tied to its airport system and aviation industry. Aviation in Florida allows the state to capitalize on an increasingly global marketplace and sustains and leads economic growth and development. They are not only important for local residents and visitors, but for the local companies that rely on them to support and conduct business.

Improving infrastructure for the future of the airports and transportation is vital to the airline industry and our nation.

Mike Bowen is Suffolk Construction vice president, Aviation