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Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a public airport located in Sanford, Florida, USA. It is situated approximately 18 miles northeast of downtown Orlando and is the second-busiest airport in the Orlando metropolitan area after Orlando International Airport.

The airport was originally built as a naval air station in the 1940s and was later converted into a commercial airport in the 1960s. Today, it serves as a popular alternative to Orlando International Airport, particularly for low-cost carriers and charter flights.

The airport covers an area of 3,000 acres and has two runways. It has a single terminal building that houses all the airport's facilities, including ticket counters, baggage claim, and security checkpoints. The terminal is divided into two levels, with the upper level used for departures and the lower level used for arrivals.

In terms of passenger amenities, Orlando Sanford International Airport offers a range of services, including restaurants, cafes, gift shops, and duty-free stores. The airport also provides free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal building, as well as charging stations for electronic devices.

Orlando Sanford International Airport serves a variety of domestic and international destinations, including several destinations in Europe and South America. The airport is served by several airlines, including Allegiant Air, Surinam Airways, TUI Airways, and ViaAir.

Overall, Orlando Sanford International Airport is a convenient and affordable option for travelers visiting the Orlando area, and it continues to play an important role in the region's transportation infrastructure.

Historical Facts

Orlando Sanford International Airport has a rich history, with several notable events and milestones throughout its existence. Here are a few historical facts about the airport:

• The airport was originally built as a naval air station in 1942 during World War II. It was used as a training facility for Navy pilots, and many of the runways and buildings that still exist today were built during this time.
• After the war, the air station was decommissioned and became a joint-use facility for both military and civilian aircraft. It was renamed the Naval Air Station Sanford and served as a training center for Naval Reserve pilots.
• In 1969, the City of Sanford and Seminole County purchased the airport from the Navy and began the process of converting it into a civilian airport.
• The airport's first commercial flight was on November 1, 1971, operated by National Airlines.
• In 1994, the airport was renamed Orlando Sanford International Airport to better reflect its role as a gateway to the Orlando area.
• Over the years, the airport has served as a hub for several airlines, including Pan Am and Delta Air Lines.
• In 2010, the airport completed a major renovation and expansion project, which included the addition of a new passenger terminal and the extension of the runway.
• The airport has been used as a filming location for several movies and TV shows, including "Passenger 57" and "Burn Notice."
• Orlando Sanford International Airport has played an important role in the growth of the tourism industry in the Orlando area, serving as a gateway for millions of visitors each year.

Naval Air Station Sanford

Naval Air Station Sanford was a military airfield located in Sanford, Florida, USA. It was originally commissioned in 1942 as a training center for Navy pilots during World War II. After the war, it served as a training facility for Naval Reserve pilots and a support base for various Navy units.

During its operational years, Naval Air Station Sanford played an important role in the training of Navy pilots, particularly in the use of carrier-based aircraft. The air station also served as a testing site for new aircraft and aviation technologies.

At its peak, the air station covered an area of over 3,000 acres and had multiple runways, hangars, and support facilities. It was home to several Navy squadrons, including fighter, bomber, and reconnaissance units.

Naval Air Station Sanford was decommissioned in 1969 and its operations were transferred to other military bases in the United States. The property was then sold to the City of Sanford and Seminole County, who began the process of converting it into a civilian airport.

Today, much of the infrastructure from the former air station is still in use at Orlando Sanford International Airport. The airport's two runways were originally built by the Navy, and several of the airport's buildings were originally constructed as part of the air station.

Naval Air Station Sanford has played an important role in the history of aviation in the United States, particularly in the training and development of Navy pilots. Its legacy lives on today through the continued use of its facilities at Orlando Sanford International Airport.

1990s

In the 1990s, Orlando Sanford International Airport was still a relatively small airport, serving mainly as a hub for regional airlines and charter flights. The airport had two runways and a single terminal building, with a handful of restaurants and gift shops for passengers.

One of the most significant events to occur at Orlando Sanford International Airport during the 1990s was the arrival of Pan American Airways in 1991. Pan Am had recently emerged from bankruptcy and was looking for a new hub to serve as the centerpiece of its relaunch. The airline chose Orlando Sanford International Airport, and over the next few years, it invested heavily in the airport's infrastructure, adding new gates, a maintenance hangar, and a training center.

Pan Am's investment helped put Orlando Sanford International Airport on the map as a major player in the aviation industry, and it attracted other airlines to the airport as well. During the 1990s, the airport saw an increase in the number of charter flights and low-cost carriers serving the Orlando area, including airlines like Sun Country Airlines, Icelandair, and Ryanair.

Despite its growth, Orlando Sanford International Airport still faced challenges in the 1990s, including competition from the larger and more established Orlando International Airport. Nevertheless, the airport continued to invest in its facilities and expand its service offerings, paving the way for its continued growth in the decades to come.

2010 - present

Since 2010, Orlando Sanford International Airport has continued to grow and evolve, becoming one of the busiest airports in the United States for both passenger and cargo traffic. Here are some notable developments at the airport since 2010:

• Expansion of passenger facilities: In 2010, the airport completed a major expansion project that added a new terminal building with 12 gates, an updated baggage handling system, and a new parking garage. This expansion allowed the airport to handle more passengers and offer a wider range of services and amenities.
• Increased air service: Over the past decade, Orlando Sanford International Airport has added several new airlines and destinations, including Allegiant Air, which now operates over 70 flights per week from the airport to destinations across the United States.
• Cargo growth: The airport has seen a significant increase in cargo traffic, with companies like Amazon and DHL opening facilities at the airport to handle packages and freight. In 2020, the airport handled over 32,000 metric tons of cargo, making it one of the top 30 cargo airports in the United States.
• Technology upgrades: Orlando Sanford International Airport has invested in several technology upgrades over the past decade, including the installation of biometric facial recognition systems to speed up the immigration and customs process for international passengers.
• Sustainability initiatives: The airport has launched several sustainability initiatives in recent years, including the installation of solar panels on the terminal roof and the use of electric vehicles for airport operations.

Overall, Orlando Sanford International Airport has continued to grow and innovate in recent years, cementing its position as a major aviation hub in central Florida.

Facilities

Orlando Sanford International Airport has a variety of facilities and amenities to serve the needs of passengers and visitors. Here are some of the key facilities at the airport:

• Terminal Building: The airport has a main terminal building with two concourses and a total of 28 gates. The terminal offers a variety of services and amenities, including restaurants, cafes, gift shops, newsstands, and duty-free shopping.
• Parking: Orlando Sanford International Airport offers a range of parking options for passengers, including a parking garage with over 1,200 spaces, surface parking lots, and a valet parking service.
• Ground Transportation: The airport has a variety of ground transportation options, including rental cars, taxis, ride-sharing services, and shuttle buses.
• Cargo Facilities: The airport has dedicated cargo facilities for airlines and freight forwarders, including a 100,000-square-foot cargo building and a 35-acre cargo apron.
• Aircraft Maintenance Facilities: The airport has several aircraft maintenance facilities, including a 27-acre maintenance complex operated by the ST Aerospace subsidiary of ST Engineering.
• Air Traffic Control Tower: The airport has a modern air traffic control tower that is staffed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) controllers.
• General Aviation Facilities: The airport has a separate terminal building and apron area for general aviation aircraft, as well as several fixed-base operators (FBOs) that provide a range of services for private and corporate aircraft.

Overall, Orlando Sanford International Airport has a wide range of facilities and amenities to serve the needs of travelers, airlines, and other aviation-related businesses.

Accidents and incidents

Orlando Sanford International Airport has had a few accidents and incidents over the years, although none have been particularly severe. Here are some of the most notable accidents and incidents at the airport:

• On June 18, 1999, a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft operated by National Airlines overran the runway during landing and crashed through the airport fence. There were no fatalities, but several passengers suffered minor injuries.
• On July 17, 2007, a chartered Boeing 767 operated by Caribbean Airlines overran the runway during landing and crashed through a fence before coming to a stop on a nearby road. There were no fatalities, but several passengers were injured.
• On September 3, 2014, a Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Dynamic Airways caught fire on the tarmac while preparing for takeoff. One person was killed, and several others were injured.
• On May 19, 2017, a small Cessna aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Orlando Sanford International Airport, killing both people on board.
• On April 20, 2018, a small Piper PA-28 aircraft crashed into a wooded area shortly after takeoff from Orlando Sanford International Airport. The pilot was killed.

In response to these incidents, the airport has implemented several safety measures, including upgrades to the runway safety area, improved signage and lighting, and increased training for airport staff and emergency responders. Overall, Orlando Sanford International Airport has a strong safety record and is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all users of the airport.