Home to a diverse tenant base, chances are from flight training aircraft to fighter jets you'll spot them over the skies of Lakeland. As of March 2022, Lakeland International Airport (LAL) was ranked the 114th busiest airport in the United States, 26th busiest in the State of Florida, and is on track to eclipse 131,000 operations this calendar year. LAL is perhaps best known as the home of the annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo which draws 150,000 people from 85 different countries and over 2,000 aircraft to LAL each spring. In addition, LAL hosts several smaller events throughout the year including pilot proficiency programs, aviation seminars, as well as Academy of Model Aeronautics events. Other notable tenants at LAL include the World famous NOAA Hurricane Hunters, Draken International (a DOD contractor operating a fleet of over 60 tactical aircraft), and most recently, the addition of Amazon Air’s Regional Air Cargo Hub. Altogether, there are currently 65+ businesses and organizations located on the field with over 3,000 people coming to work at the airport daily. According to a recent economic impact study completed in April 2021, LAL’s annual economic impact was over $1.5 Billion to the region. Development targets for the airport include commercial air service, increased MRO activity, international air cargo, increased military and general aviation operations, as well as aerospace educational opportunities. Some of those educational opportunities that already call LAL home include five flight schools, Polk State College, Southeastern University, and Travis Technical College’s aerospace programs, the Florida Air Museum, the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (a public high school with an aviation-focused curriculum), and the Aerospace Center for Excellence. The airport maintains a Class I Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate with Index B (capable of Index C) Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) services and sees occasional air carrier charter operations. Equipped with excellent general aviation facilities including two Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), LAL also boasts a CAT III Instrument Landing System, 8,500’ long primary runway, a 30,000 sq. passenger terminal facility, and 24/7/365 Airport Operations, Air Traffic Control, and ARFF coverage. Over 260 aircraft are based out of LAL. The airport also maintains 1,742 acres of land including three solar farms and over one (1) million square feet of facilities. Lakeland Linder International Airport remains one of the most dynamic and diversified airports in the country, from flight training to fighter jets, chances are you will spot them over the skies of Lakeland. Currently celebrating its 80th anniversary, LAL’s future looks bright with ongoing private hangar development, the addition of a WACO Kitchen restaurant in the passenger terminal, an active U.S. Customs General Aviation Facility, and continued business aviation growth. For more information about LAL please visit www.flylakeland.com.
