The Gateway To The Skies: The Lakeland Linder Airport
Looking for a destination that will take your travels to new heights? Look no further than the Lakeland Linder International Airport! If you’re anything like me, then you really go out to the airport for two reasons: 1. Pig Fest and 2. SUN ’N FUN. But, with its state-of-the-art facilities and an impressive array of aviation options, this airport is the perfect place to take flight and leave your cares on the ground. So fasten your seatbelts, stow your tray tables, and get ready for a wild ride through the sky with the Lakeland Linder International Airport!
Fasten Your Seat Belts
This little gem has gone by many names over the years, but it all started back in 1942 when it opened as Lakeland Airport #2. Since then, it's been known as Drane Field, Lakeland Army Air Field, Lakeland Air Force Base, and finally, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. But don't let its humble beginnings fool you - this airport is now an international hub and has been renamed as the Lakeland International Airport since 2019. And did you know that during WWII, it was used by the Army Air Corps to train some of the most legendary aircrews of all time? Talk about a history worth exploring! The airport served as a training facility for the Army Air Corps, where B-17, B-24, B-26, P-51, P-40, and A-20 aircrews were trained. At that time, the airfield spanned over 3,880 acres.
The City Airport That Never Sleeps
This airport never sleeps, with its operations, fire and rescue, and air traffic control running 24/7, 365 days a year. With a whopping 308-based aircraft, this airport is always buzzing with activity. And it's not just a small regional airport either, as it's classified as a Class 1 airport capable of accepting commercial air service (we will circle back to this one too). In fact, it's classified as a National Airport by the FAA and an International Airport by US Customs and Border Protection. So if you're a fan of aviation or just looking for a place to take off, the Lakeland Linder International Airport is the perfect destination for you.
At the Lakeland Linder International Airport, the operations are nothing short of impressive. Last year, the airport saw a whopping 141,537 takeoffs and landings, including 1,960 military operations. It's no wonder the airport ranks as the 108th busiest in the United States out of 526 towered airports. But that's not all—the airport's contact tower is also the 15th busiest in the country. To put things into perspective, LAL is the 22nd busiest in the entire state of Florida, surpassing other popular airports like Jacksonville (JAX), Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Tallahassee (TLH), Punta Gorda (PGD), Gainesville (GNV), and Key West (EYW). While Tampa (TPA) is ranked 7th, Lakeland Linder International Airport is quickly making a name for itself in the aviation industry.
Coming In For The Landing
The infrastructure at Lakeland Linder International Airport is impressive to say the least. With 3 runways, the longest of which stretches 8500 feet or 1.6 miles, this airport can accommodate even the largest aircraft. But the impressive numbers don't stop there. The airport boasts over 81,300 linear feet of fencing, which is over 15 miles of fencing! And with over 2,000,000 square feet of facilities, terminals, and hangars, Lakeland Linder International Airport is truly a hub of activity. But perhaps most impressive of all is the total area of the airport, which spans a whopping 1,742 acres - larger than all four Walt Disney World theme parks combined!
In addition to its impressive infrastructure and operations, the Lakeland Linder International Airport is also a major economic driver in the region. The airport is home to over 65 businesses, which collectively employ over 3,000 people. These businesses range from aviation-related companies such as flight schools and maintenance providers, to logistics and manufacturing firms that take advantage of the airport's convenient location and excellent transportation infrastructure. With such a significant impact on the local economy, the Lakeland Linder International Airport truly stands out as a key asset for the entire community. These businesses include (but are not limited to):
7 Airframe and Power Plant Shops
5 Flight Schools
3 Higher Education Facilities (Polk State College, South Eastern University, and Travvis Technical College)
1 Avionics Shop
2 Hotels
2 Part 135 Operators
2 FBOs (Fixed Base Operators)
1 Air Cargo Operator (4 Airlines)
1 Aircraft Paint Facility
1 Aircraft Interior Shop
1 DoD Contractor (Draken)
1 Government Aerospace Facility (NOAA)
What About Amazon?
DYK that Amazon only made up 7% of LAL’s total air traffic last year? The Lakeland Linder International Airport is not just a hub for general aviation and military operations, but it's also home to one of Amazon's most advanced cargo facilities. The Amazon Air facility at LAL operates 12 arrivals and 12 departures daily, carrying an astounding 868,513,800 pounds of cargo through the airport annually, averaging out to 72,376,150 pounds per month. Amazon's presence at LAL also means a significant amount of jet fuel sold - 13,651,427 gallons in total. To handle such a massive volume of air traffic, four airlines service Amazon at LAL: Atlas Air (Boeing 767), ATI International (Boeing 767), Airborne Express (Boeing 767), and Sun Country Airlines (Boeing 737). The airport's close proximity to major highways and distribution centers makes it a strategic location for Amazon's logistics operations.
Commercial Flights Are On The Horizon
The Lakeland Linder International Airport has been exploring the possibility of bringing commercial flights to the area, and the numbers look promising. Lakeland's catchment area, which consists of 15 zip codes, accounted for 2.8% of the region's total airline demand in 2021, equating to 1.6 million annual passengers. With a population of 476,211 people, the catchment area generated an average of 2,215 passengers per day in 2021, which is more than enough to fill over twenty-six 76-seat regional jets daily. It's no wonder why the airport has been in talks with several airlines to bring commercial flights to the Lakeland area, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for LAL.