Updates about Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (NWFBIA)

**GoodWitch58** · 05-25-2010, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by DuneLaker

Perhaps since headquarters are being moved to Northwest Florida, and companies are being lured to set up business here, these same out of area companies will move here, too. In the meantime, local businesses might consider getting an out-of-town or out-of-state post office address so they can get some respect and bids. Another strategy we locals might try is to shave our heads and don orange toga robes and walk around the airport carrying signs marketing South Walton. I believe I did see a paid advertising sign on one of the walls for a SoWal business (Seaside - Bud n Alley's, who by the way also have a sign at VPS). The Sandestin Hilton had a display for the grand opening, but geez they erroneously had "Destin" as their location instead of their real location in South Walton and Miramar Beach.

**TreeFrog** · 05-26-2010, 02:21 PM

So, has anyone flown into or out of ECP yet? I'm going out of there Saturday for the first time and curious what to expect. I'm on Delta this time, SW couldn't get me where I was going when I needed to get there.

**SWGB** · 05-26-2010, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by TreeFrog

So, has anyone flown into or out of ECP yet? I'm going out of there Saturday for the first time and curious what to expect. I'm on Delta this time, SW couldn't get me where I was going when I needed to get there.

At least their up front about it. Delta just wants you to buy the ticket before they leave you stranded.

**scooterbug44** · 05-26-2010, 04:05 PM

I haven't been yet, but I heard there was one P.O.ed Sowaller who didn't realize the new airport was open, went to the old one, almost missed the flight and had to Fedex their luggage!

**Paula** · 05-26-2010, 06:33 PM

Here's an email I got from Delta:

We've moved to the new airport in Panama City.

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) has opened its doors to Panama City-area residents and beach-bound travelers.

Delta and Delta Connection� Carriers Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Comair and Pinnacle now offer flights between the new airport and Atlanta (ATL) and Memphis (MEM), and no longer operate out of Panama City-Bay County International Airport (PFN), which is closing.

The first new international airport constructed in nearly a decade, the state-of-the-art structure includes multiple eco-conscious features and a host of flyer-friendly amenities. This "green build" project is designed to make Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport the nation's greenest airport.

So what are you waiting for? Fly Delta to and from the new Panama City.

**SWGB** · 05-26-2010, 10:22 PM

I almost forgot to mention that Ebro Greyhound Track flew over a banner reminding everyone of races Wednesday through Saturday!

P.S. It really is some unbelievable people watching.

**kurt** · 06-02-2010, 08:09 PM

Shortage of Parking Spaces at New Northwest Florida Beaches International

The new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport officially opened its doors a little more than two weeks ago and airport officials are still working-out a few kinks. One of those is a shortage of parking.

The parking lot was over-flowing with vehicles Wednesday. Most times it's been between 90 and 95-percent full.

No word as to when the extra spaces will be available. Rental car companies are also renting more vehicles than they initially anticipated.

Several companies have had to order more cars to meet the demand.

**Teresa** · 06-02-2010, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by SWGB

I almost forgot to mention that Ebro Greyhound Track flew over a banner reminding everyone of races Wednesday through Saturday!

P.S. It really is some unbelievable people watching.

that's putting it mildly. we have had a good steak dinner upstairs.

**Scooter** · 06-03-2010, 07:56 AM

My husband and I drove by the new airport while in town last week. He commented that it looked more like the airports we fly into in the Caribbean.

**DuneAHH** · 06-03-2010, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Scooter

My husband and I drove by the new airport while in town last week. He commented that it looked more like the airports we fly into in the Caribbean.

you saw chicken coops and free range piglets???

**beachmouse** · 06-03-2010, 02:14 PM

There actually are likely to be a number of giant insane wild boars in any large piece of undeveloped land wherever you go in the Panhandle. New airport and all the buffer lands surround it would be no exception.

**GoodWitch58** · 06-03-2010, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by beachmouse

There actually are likely to be a number of giant insane wild boars in any large piece of undeveloped land wherever you go in the Panhandle. New airport and all the buffer lands surround it would be no exception.

as a matter of fact, I saw one of those huge wild boars very near the entrance just two weeks ago!

**Lake View Too** · 06-03-2010, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

as a matter of fact, I saw one of those huge wild boars very near the entrance just two weeks ago!

"huge wild bore"...that was probably Karl Rove...

**SWGB** · 06-03-2010, 04:38 PM

Anyone want to take bets on how long before we see the following headline?

"International Airport with name to long for headline shut down due to pig on runway!"

**beachmouse** · 06-03-2010, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by SWGB

"International Airport with name to long for headline shut down due to pig on runway!"

It really doesn't take much to manage wildlife on runways at low to moderate volume airports. I've got a cousin who used to be an airport cop Up North at a moderate volume airport and wildlife management there didn't have to be much more than a guy with a golf cart chasing deer off the runway.

**Will B** · 06-17-2010, 01:08 PM

I bet St. Joe is not a real happy camper right now...

Part of the enticement that they offered Southwest to fly into the new airport was to offset any operational losses that SW might have on the routes into Panama City for the next three years. I seriously doubt that the economic impact that the oil spill is likley to have on the area was ever a consideration. Hopefully, there is language in the agreement that allows the parties to back away if mutually agreed upon.

**ChillPill** · 07-20-2010, 12:12 AM

Any new info on the new airport? Any advice in general? I'll likely be flying out of SoWal two or three times over the next several weeks. I just want to fly safely and non-stop to New England (Boston or Manchester). How's Southwest, I've never flown with them...how's Delta these days?

**SWGB** · 07-20-2010, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by ChillPill

Any new info on the new airport? Any advice in general? I'll likely be flying out of SoWal two or three times over the next several weeks. I just want to fly safely and non-stop to New England (Boston or Manchester). How's Southwest, I've never flown with them...how's Delta these days?

Get a ride, parking is apparently a nightmare with all of the new passengers. They are working on it, but right now it's hit or miss. I'd suggest getting a ride.

There are no direct flights to Boston or Manchester, but you should be able to do it with only one stop. Southwest has bigger jets, no puddle jumpers. I believe Delta flies one actual Delta flight a day, no ASA, but the remainder are ASA.

**kurt** · 11-09-2010, 07:09 PM

Randy Curtis, executive director of the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, told board members that the airport�s passenger numbers continued to outpace the old airport by a large margin.

�I think we have been able to accomplish some remarkable things,� Curtis said. Commercial passengers moving through the airport totaled 67,967 in September this year compared to 24,850 passengers at the old airport in 2009, an increase of 173 percent.

Curtis said a drop-off in passengers on Delta Air Lines, anticipated because of the opening of low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines, has not occurred, and the airport is also picking up more local passengers

When the airport opened near West Bay in May 23, �we went to capacity in the parking lot almost immediately,� Curtis said, even though the lot was more than three times larger than the parking lot at the old airport in Panama City.

Curtis said the airport is moving forward to expand the parking, add another bathroom for the terminal and purchase another loading bridge for passenger transfer from the terminal to the planes.

Pat Kelly, News Herald

**kurt** · 11-30-2010, 08:55 AM

The St. Joe Company ("St. Joe") (NYSE: JOE) announced today that it has executed a Master Airport Access Agreement (the "Agreement") with the Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District (the "Airport District") regarding through-the-fence access at the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.

As previously announced, St. Joe donated 4,000 acres within the West Bay Sector Plan for the airport's construction. The Agreement announced today sets forth the process for implementing the through-the-fence rights originally established in the Land Donation Agreement. St. Joe worked closely with the Airport District on both agreements, which also reflect input from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Through-the-fence access will allow companies within VentureCrossings Enterprise Centre, St. Joe's new commercial development adjacent to the airport, direct access to airport taxiways and runways. The Agreement identifies three initial through-the-fence access points within VentureCrossings and provides for flexibility as to the number and location of additional access points.

Under the Agreement, companies engaged in a wide range of industrial and aviation related operations may utilize the through-the-fence rights. St. Joe is moving forward with the planning and permitting process for construction of improvements necessary to meet the operational needs of end users.

"The execution of the Master Airport Access Agreement is a significant milestone for St. Joe and further advances our commercial development plans around the new airport." said Britt Greene, President and CEO of St. Joe. "The agreement provides a clear roadmap for through-the-fence operations at our VentureCrossings development. With taxiway and runway access, virtually unlimited greenfield expansion capability adjacent to an international airport, and the ease of contracting with a single private entity, we are confident that VentureCrossings will be an ideal location for businesses across a wide range of industries."

**scooterbug44** · 11-30-2010, 10:37 AM

Exactly what kind of companies need through the fence access at an airport?

I assume the fixed base operators for private planes are one, but am drawing on blank on others aside from cargo carriers.

**kurt** · 11-30-2010, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

Exactly what kind of companies need through the fence access at an airport?

I assume the fixed base operators for private planes are one, but am drawing on blank on others aside from cargo carriers.

Anyone who has an adjacent building and wants to be able to receive and ship cargo directly. Sounds like a really big issue that can make the difference whether certain companies locate there.

**SWGB** · 11-30-2010, 10:17 PM

Think shipping companies like UPS and FedEx. In addition airplane maintenance, manufacturer, and even business that build components for airplanes that need to be tested.

Oh and of course terrorists.

**beachmouse** · 12-14-2010, 11:01 AM

New Fla. Panhandle airport slow to draw passengers - BusinessWeek

The airport offers 19 daily flights on Delta and Southwest to Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston, Memphis, Nashville and Orlando, but those flights were only about 60 percent full on average in October -- compared to a national average of 83 percent.

That number is down from 76 percent in the peak summer tourism months of June and July, according to the National Air Transport Association. The numbers haven't deterred the airport's boosters who view it the key to unlocking the economic potential of a sleepy slice of the Panhandle.

**kurt** · 12-14-2010, 11:22 AM

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is drawing nearly 3 times the passengers than the old one

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport officials are a bit disturbed about a national story questioning the new airport's success. The Associated Press story questions the "future viability" of the new airport because of low passenger count. Officials say the new airport is drawing nearly 3 times more passengers than the old one....

Curtis is frustrated by an AP report that implies the airport is faltering. The story reports, on average, October flights were only 60% full, compared to a national average of 83%. "The monthly number that they quoted, 60% is just one monthly number. You need to remember the traffic is seasonal, especially our summer months are extremely busy. It breaks off a bit as we move into the fall."