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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 980 arrivals and
departures daily. It is the 13th busiest airport in the nation and
17th largest port of entry for international visitors in the
continental U.S. It is also the 3rd largest airport for domestic
origin and destination travel.
Non-stop service is available to 83 domestic destinations and 34
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. Over 167,000 tons of cargo shipped through the
airport in 2010. 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 Global Training & Logistics. 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.
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