The year-end 2021 traffic report for Palm Beach International Airport passenger travel reflects a 70.5% increase from 2020, indicating a steady return toward pre-pandemic levels. The largest market share of enplaned passengers is held by JetBlue Airways, followed by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Palm Beach County (PBC) owns, operates and maintains a system of four airports: Palm Beach International (PBI), North Palm Beach County Aviation Airport (F45) off the Beeline Highway near Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach County Park Airport (LNA) in Lantana, and Palm Beach County Glades Airport (PHK) in Pahokee.

The system operates as an enterprise fund, with no ad valorem tax support. Operations are funded by user fees paid by airlines, businesses and passengers. Construction projects for renewal and replacement of facilities are funded by federal and state grants, passenger facility charges, revenue bonds and airport revenues.

Several capital improvement projects are planned, including: airfield pavement rehabilitation and reconstruction; roofing, HVAC, public address system, and elevator/escalator replacement; federal inspection facilities; maintenance facilities; and, a new Aircraft Rescue & Fire-Fighting station, that will be relocated closer to the air traffic control tower. The Concourse B Expansion Project will add more than 50,000 square feet of new space, two new gate locations, expanded concession space, concrete aircraft apron work, and an extension of existing building systems.

North County residents will be interested to know that the North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport will expand runway 14-32 from 75 feet wide and 4,300 feet long to 100 feet wide and 6,000 feet long. This will not bring passenger air carrier service and there should be no significant increase in the size of aircraft expected to utilize the airport in the future. Additionally, there are no anticipated changes to the airspace or flight tracks or routes in and out of F45.

Sources of revenue for the operation and maintenance of the airport system include parking facilities, landing fees, and tenants. Tenants at PBI include airlines, rental car agencies, concessionaires, fixed base operators, airline services providers and other commercial lessors such as a Toyota Car Dealership, a travel plaza with a collocated cellphone waiting lot, Drive Shack and Home2 Suites by Hilton. The revenues from non-airline development help keep airline costs low.

PBI houses 13 commercial airline carriers with non-stop passenger flights to 40 destinations. The newest airline, Avelo Airlines Inc., based in New Haven, CT debuted its first inaugural flight into PBI on December 16, 2021.

Named the 8th Best Domestic Airport in Travel + Leisure Magazine's 2021 World's Best Awards, PBI strives to expand opportunities for travelers to enjoy nonstop air travel to popular destinations.

Earning national accolades requires attention to details on the traveler experience and state-of-the-art technology. On a recent tour of PBI operations, I had a first-hand look at the inner workings of the baggage handling system. The elaborate 3-part scanning system utilizes a complex system of conveyor belts and cameras with on screen resolution of baggage contents. This enables security personnel to pull luggage for hand checking before it is loaded onto the aircraft.

The airport system is under the able direction of Laura Beebe, who has served Palm Beach County for many years; first, as an Assistant County Attorney, then, for the next 20 years with Airports negotiating contracts and business transactions leading to her promotion as Director. Ms. Beebe has demonstrated fiscal responsibility while providing quality service to the public with a focus on passenger safety.

Let me know how I can assist you by contacting my office at (561) 355-2201, or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.