Metro Orlando features a thriving aviation and aerospace sector, encompassing world-class airports, aviation support companies, flight training centers, air cargo firms and a top air defense contractor. The four-county region features both international and regional airports catering to commercial and corporate travelers and recreational pilots. The aviation industry is anchored by the renowned Orlando International Airport, which is often cited by corporations as a primary factor in deciding to locate their operations in the area. Following is a listing of the area’s largest airports:

Orlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport serves more than 34 million passengers annually and accommodates nearly 950 arrivals and departures daily. It is the 12th busiest airport in the nation and 17th largest port of entry for international visitors in the continental U.S. It is also the 4th largest airport for domestic origin and destination travel.

Non-stop service is available to 86 domestic destinations and 16 international destinations. Orlando International Airport continues to attract new air service from all over the world, providing passengers with an ever-expanding route network, and helping to keep Orlando's traffic growth rate well above the industry average.

With 15,000+ acres, Orlando International Airport is the third largest parcel of airport property in the country. Only 35 percent of the airport’s property is developed, leaving significant areas ready for expansion. Nearly 198,010 tons of cargo shipped through the airport in 2006. The 205-acre park, Foreign Trade Zone No. 42, offers duty exemptions or deferments for companies receiving materials from foreign countries. It includes state-of-the art facilities for storage, manufacturing, shipping and handling. Its Central location and air service by major international and domestic airlines makes global commerce easier through a superior multimodal network of interstate highways, rail systems, deep water ports and space transportation.

Orlando Sanford International Airport
With over one million international charter arrivals annually, Orlando Sanford International Airport is the third most active international airport in Florida and the 13th most active in the U.S. Situated on approximately 2,000 acres, Orlando Sanford International Airport was the fastest growing airport in North for the first nine months of 2004. Additionally, it was the 5th fastest growing airport in the world for airports with over 1 million passengers. Approved in 2001, Foreign Trade Zone No. 250 in Seminole County is the largest trade zone in the state. Its geographic boundaries encompass the Orlando Sanford International Airport, the Port of Sanford, Sanford Central Park and various other parks and sites throughout the county. The FTZ offers duty exemptions on imported materials which reduces overall manufacturing costs.

Orlando Sanford International Airport is also home to the 395-acre Sanford Airport Commerce Park with rail service available in its western sector. A 50,000-square-foot cargo center in the commerce park enables cargo handling, pallet preparation and receiving. The commerce park is easily accessed by major roadways including the Central Florida GreeneWay.

Orlando Executive Airport
Conveniently located only three miles from the business and financial center of downtown Orlando, Orlando Executive Airport is the 25th busiest general aviation airport in the country. Convenient access to all of Orlando's major highways puts the majority of industrial and business centers within minutes of the airport. Orlando Executive's aircraft operations average 237,053 annually. The airport provides 24-hour service, an FAA air traffic control tower and full ILS capability. Aside from meeting both personal and corporate flying needs, services include flight instruction, aircraft sales and rentals, maintenance, charter, storage, and air ambulance services.

Kissimmee Gateway Airport
Located just eight miles from Walt Disney World and minutes from the Orlando-Orange County Convention Center, the 900-acre Kissimmee Gateway Airport accommodates general aviation air service 24 hours a day with two paved runways, 5,000 and 6,000 feet each. Available services include fuel, maintenance, avionics, hangars, flight instruction, aircraft charter and rental cars. The airport also features a recently- constructed air traffic control tower and a 26-acre industrial park for both aviation and non-aviation related businesses.

Leesburg International Airport
Located 30 miles northwest of Orlando, the Leesburg International Airport features a 5,000-foot asphalt runway. The airport, accommodates general aviation and corporate pilots with 24 hours a day services which include FBO facilities, fuel, flight instruction, maintenance, refurbishing, navigational aids, industrial space, hangar space, and open tie-down space. The airport also features a recently-added U.S. customs and border protection inspection. For those interested in starting a business in this thriving area, land is available for aeronautical industries and commercial frontage is available for other development.

Following are samplings of aviation and aerospace companies operating in the region:

Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG)
ASIG is a recognized leader in the commercial aviation services industry, offering a full range of ground handling, fueling, cargo and ancillary services in 70 cities throughout North America and Europe. ASIG has built a service network capable of providing global solutions in aviation services.

AirTran Airways
Based in Orlando, AirTran Airways is one of the nation’s largest low-fare airlines, employing more than 5,000 crew members and serving 488 flights a day to 43 destinations. AirTran Airways is a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. and the world's largest operator of the Boeing 717, the most modern, environmentally friendly aircraft in its class.

Cessna
Cessna has delivered over 180,000 aircraft in its 72-year history and has the largest fleet of business jets worldwide. A subsidiary of Textron, Inc., Cessna is planning to construct a new 156,000-square-foot aviation service center at Orlando International Airport. The new facility will provide around-the-clock aviation maintenance and repair service to 5,000 customers annually. The project is expected to create 210 jobs.

FMC Airport Systems
FMC Airport Systems is a division of FMC Technologies, Inc., a global leader in providing mission-critical technology solutions for the energy, food processing and air transportation industries. Its Orlando location is part of the corporation’s international network of offices, providing a wide range of commercial aircraft equipment and a comprehensive scope of customer services, technical publications and training materials. The Orlando facility also includes a dedicated service parts warehouse.

G&T Conveyor Company
Based in Tavares, G&T Conveyor Company designs, engineers, manufactures, installs, operates and maintains airline baggage handling systems. As the largest privately held turnkey baggage handling systems manufacturer in the U.S., the company has delivered more than 400 turnkey airport projects on three continents. G&T has designed, engineered, manufactured, and installed more than 450 claim and make-up devices and three million linear feet of transport conveyors.

Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin, the nation’s second largest aerospace/defense manufacturer behind Boeing, produces a wide range of high tech military-related air and spacecraft and offensive and defensive missiles systems. Locally, Lockheed Martin employs 7,300 workers in Central Florida at divisions that include Missiles and Fire Control and Simulation, Training & Support. The Missiles and Fire Control division develops, manufactures and supports advanced combat systems and missile, rocket and space systems. The operation is Lockheed Martin’s lead business unit for research, development and production of electro-optic and smart munitions systems and is a pioneer in the field of versatile, high-performance missile and rocket technology.

Signature Flight Support
Headquartered in Orlando, Signature Flight Support is the world's largest flight support operation and distribution network for business and commercial aviation services. Signature products and services include fueling, ground handling, passenger services, maintenance, fuel purchasing and aircraft sales and charter at 49 locations around the world. Signature operates at 44 locations in the U.S., four in Europe and one in Hong Kong.

Southern Jet Center LLC
Southern Jet Center LLC is a jet maintenance facility where their services include jet inspections, airplane painting, jet engine services, jet repairs and alterations, pre-purchase inspections and import/export C of A, window repair/resurfacing, air conditioning kit installs and more, for jet and turboprop aircraft. The company is a certified FAA Repair Station specializing in Learjet series, Cessna, Falcons, Hawkers, and King Airs.