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Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport

Coordinates: 30°21′30″N 085°47′44″W / 30.35833°N 85.79556°W / 30.35833; -85.79556
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This article is about the current airport open since 2010. For the previous airport serving Panama City, Florida, see Panama City–Bay County International Airport.

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerPanama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District
Serves
LocationBay County, Florida, U.S.
OpenedMay 23, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-05-23)
Elevation AMSL69 ft / 21 m
Coordinates30°21′30″N 085°47′44″W / 30.35833°N 85.79556°W / 30.35833; -85.79556
Websitewww.iflybeaches.com
Maps
FAA airport diagram
FAA airport diagram
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
16/34 10,000 3,048 Concrete
Statistics (2023)
Aircraft operations74,113
Based aircraft111
Passengers1,660,479
Entrance sign

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (IATA: ECP, ICAO: KECP, FAA LID: ECP) is a public airport 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Panama City, Florida, United States,[2] in Bay County.[2] The airport is owned by the Panama City-Bay County Airport & Industrial District,[2] and is north of Panama City Beach, near West Bay. It replaced Panama City–Bay County International Airport (Fannin Field, PFN), which was located in Panama City.

The airport opened for commercial flights on May 23, 2010, and is the first international airport in the United States designed and built since the September 11 attacks. The airport currently has no scheduled international flights, due to the small population in the surrounding areas and the fact that the demand for visitation to Panama City is mostly regional and/or national. The airport authority originally decided to name it Northwest Florida–Panama City International Airport, but airlines and the general public asked the airport authority to use a more regional name.[4][5]

History

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In the late 1980s, the Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) started discussing the need to expand the airport's two runways, which did not meet federal standards due to insufficient runway safety areas. Growing the overall airport to meet the region's needs was another main objective.[6]

The old airport had been built in 1932, with scheduled service beginning in 1948. However, it did not have enough room to expand. Proposed ideas included using the current airport property and extending the current short runways into St. Andrews Bay or into residential neighborhoods, relocation of the airport to a new site, or collocation with Tyndall AFB. With strong opposition to extending the runways into an environmentally sensitive bay or into neighborhoods, the airport authority began to search for relocation sites. The authority received tentative approval to build a new airport in northwestern Bay County in 2001. In 2005–2007 the authority obtained the needed permits.[7]

The relocation of the airport was controversial in Bay County.[8] The county commission chose to proceed with building a new airport and closing down Fannin Field despite a majority of voters in a non-binding 2004 referendum voting against the plan. Some felt that the St. Joe Company, which owned the land the airport would be based on, would derive an unfair benefit at the taxpayers' expense. Suits were filed against the airport on environmental grounds but were not successful in halting its construction.[9] Construction was completed in May 2010, however the planned crosswind runway was not built. As of January 2024 construction of the airport terminal has begun to extend the terminal south adding a second luggage claim. News has also been released stating the originally planned crosswind runway’s construction will begin in late 2024 to early 2025 expected to accept passengers by June 2025. The new crosswind runway will span a total of 10,000 feet and will allow airlines and general aviation pilots to land during heavy crosswinds more comfortably.

The airport's IATA code was originally supposed to be TFB, for "The Florida Beaches". However, this code was already taken by the Tifalmin Airport in Papua New Guinea.[10] By going through all available IATA codes, the group deciding the code came across ECP and joked ECP could stand for "Everyone Can Party" and it stuck.[11] It actually stands for Emerald Coast of the Panhandle.

Facilities and aircraft

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The airport covers 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) at an elevation of 68 feet (21 m).[2][12]

The airport is in unincorporated Bay County, Florida.[13]

Runway

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Runway 16/34 is the only runway at the airport. It is concrete/grooved and is 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) long and 150 feet (46 meters) wide. There are plans to build one crosswind and one parallel runway as traffic at the airport increases.

The elevation for Runway 16 is 68.6 feet (20.9 m). The runway has a 4-aligned PAPI light system (glideslope: 2.83°), a MALSR approach lighting system, centerline lights, and touchdown zone lights. The runway has an instrument approach which includes S-ILS or LOC/DME, and GPS RNAV. For general aviation aircraft, the runway uses left traffic pattern.

The opposite end of Runway 16, the elevation for Runway 34 is 53.7 feet (16.4 meters). This runway has a 4-aligned PAPI light system (glideslope: 2.83°) and centerline lights. This runway has a GPS RNAV or LOC/DME instrument approach. For general aviation aircraft, the runway uses left traffic pattern.

Terminal

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Roadway in front of airport

The new airport has a much larger terminal, designed by HNTB,[14] compared to the terminal at the previous airport. The terminal, 105,000 sq. feet, has seven gates. Gates 1–5 have jet bridges, while Gates 6 and 7 are on ramp level for regional aircraft. The airport has a US Customs and Border Protection inspection facility for arriving international flights. No international Airline flight has ever departed or arrived at KECP. It was anticipated that the new terminal building will be the first airport terminal to attain a LEED rating for being a green building as well. As of June 2024, it has yet to receive this. A new terminal building at Appleton International Airport has since become the first LEED-rated terminal building in the world.

As of 2023, the airport has a $14.7 million renovation in the works to pave an overflow parking lot, build out the terminal, and expand the baggage area.[15]

General aviation

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General aviation is handled at the general aviation facility south of the main passenger terminal. 111 GA aircraft were based at the airport in January 2018. 84 were single-engine, 16 were multi-engine, 10 were jets, and 1 helicopter. There were no gliders or ultra-lights based at the airport.[2] As of 2012, 75% of based aircraft belonged to corporations. About 75% of GA operations were business/corporate related, 65% of which were business jets. The only fixed-base operator at the airport as of August 2011 was SheltAir. Island Air Express (now defunct), Precision Flight Training, and Patriot Flight Academy offer flight training. Patriot Pilot Academy is currently the only flight training at ECP offering multi engine and commercial certifications. Patriot Pilot Academy is also a Part 141 school through the FAA offering finance options and college-like classes for flight school.

As of April 2024, Alabama-based Southern Sky Aviation has opened a state of the art FBO just south of the Public Safety building. Southern Sky Aviation hosts a Part 145 Aircraft repair station with Avionics installation and interior work as well. They also offer Aircraft maintenance and sales. [15]

Air cargo

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The cargo facility is between the control tower and general aviation ramp. Flight Express is the primary air cargo service to KECP.

Aircraft operations

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In the 12-month period ending February 28, 2022, the airport had 80,665 aircraft operations, average 221 per day: 55% general aviation, 24% commercial, 13% air taxi, and 9% military.[2] For the same time period, 111 aircraft were based at the airport: 76 single-engine and 8 multi-engine airplanes as well as 26 jets and 1 glider.[16] These stats are up from 67,121 aircraft operations in 2018.

Ground transportation

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Ground transportation to and from the airport includes on-airport car rental, taxis, shuttles, and limousines.[17]

Airlines and destinations

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Southwest Airlines began service in May 2010 with eight daily Boeing 737 flights, two each to Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Houston–Hobby (HOU), Nashville (BNA), and Orlando (MCO).[18] Southwest Airlines then started daily seasonal nonstop service to St. Louis (STL) on June 3, 2012.

Effective in early March 2016, Delta Air Lines was operating up to six nonstop flights a day to Atlanta (ATL) operated with Boeing 717, McDonnell Douglas MD-88 and McDonnell Douglas MD-90 jetliners.[19] Delta has also operated Boeing 737 jets into the airport in the past. Delta Connection had operated regional jet aircraft on their flights to Atlanta but currently does not serve the airport. According to FlightAware, Delta currently operates Airbus A320 and Boeing 717 jetliners on its mainline service between the airport and Atlanta.[20]

United Express utilizes Mesa Airlines and CommutAir regional jets on their nonstop flights to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).[21][22] Seasonally, flights are operated by Air Wisconsin to O'Hare International Airport.[23]

On January 18, 2018, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport announced the beginning of American Airlines nonstop flights to Charlotte Douglas (CLT) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), which commenced on June 7, 2018. There are two flights per day to both destinations operated by American Eagle regional carriers PSA Airlines and Mesa Airlines, respectively with regional jets.[24]

The airport had its two busiest years on record in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Airport officials peg the increases on the uptick in traffic caused by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The airport processed nearly 1.6 million passengers in 2021, up from 1.35 million in 2019, and just over 1.5 million in 2021.[15][25][26]

Passenger

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Scheduled nonstop passenger flights include:

AirlinesDestinations
American Airlines Seasonal: Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Washington–National
American Eagle Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Washington–National
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare, Philadelphia
Delta Air Lines Atlanta
Delta Connection Austin (begins March 9, 2025)[27]
Southwest Airlines Dallas–Love, Houston–Hobby, Nashville
Seasonal: Austin, Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City, St. Louis[28]
United Express Houston–Intercontinental
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare, Denver

Cargo

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AirlinesDestinations
Flight Express Birmingham (AL)
Key Lime Air Albany (GA)
Martinaire Albany (GA)

Statistics

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Annual passenger traffic at ECP airport. See Wikidata query.

Annual traffic

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ECP Airport Annual Traffic 2011-Present[29]
Year Passengers % Change
2011 869,389 —
2012 883,592 Increase01.63%
2013 816,478 Decrease07.60%
2014 815,160 Decrease00.16%
2015 890,764 Increase09.27%
2016 897,679 Increase00.77%
2017 939,437 Increase04.65%
2018 1,056,101 Increase012.42%
2019 1,275,488 Increase020.77%
2020 822,236 Decrease035.54%
2021 1,598,492 Increase094.41%
2022 1,520,783 Decrease04.86%
2023 1,660,479 Increase09.19%
Carrier shares (October 2023 – September 2024)[30]
Carrier Passengers (arriving and departing)
Southwest
743,000(40.84%)
Delta
541,000(29.74%)
American
197,000(10.81%)
PSA
100,000(5.50%)
Envoy
92,010(5.06%)
Other
146,000(8.04%)
Top domestic destinations (August 2023 – July 2024)[30]
Rank Airport Passengers Carriers
1 Georgia (U.S. state) Atlanta, GA 272,260 Delta
2 Tennessee Nashville, TN 127,820 Southwest
3 Texas Dallas/Fort Worth, TX 90,740 American
4 North Carolina Charlotte, NC 86,380 American
5 Texas Dallas–Love, TX 81,030 Southwest
6 Texas Houston–Intercontinental, TX 52,510 United
7 Texas Houston-Hobby, TX 45,310 Southwest
8 Missouri St. Louis, MO 40,560 Southwest
9 Illinois Chicago-Midway, IL 22,640 Southwest
10 Colorado Denver, CO 17,910 Southwest, United

Accidents and incidents

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  • On June 24, 2017, an Aero Commander 200D sustained substantial damage during a forced landing while approaching Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The accident was caused by the pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Both occupants survived.[31]
  • On November 10, 2017, a Cessna 180 crashed while landing at Florida Beaches International Airport. During the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions, the right wing "suddenly" lifted, and the pilot applied right aileron to correct. He added that the control application did not correct the raised right wing and the left wing dragged on the runway, which resulted in the airplane coming to rest nosed over. The probable cause of the accident was found to be the pilot's failure to maintain lateral/bank control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.[32]
  • On March 8, 2022, a Cessna 182 bearing N182XT crashed two miles short of runway 16 killing two occupants, Donald Slattery and Diane Slattery. An NTSB investigation found the pilot's deviation from the final approach course during a night instrument approach with low instrument meteorological conditions resulted in an impact with heavily wooded terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue the approach after being warned of his flightpath deviations and his lack of experience in instrument conditions at night. [33] [34]
  • On June 6, 2022, a Piper PA-28 bearing N160LL crashed after shortly taking off from ECP killing two and seriously injuring one passenger. An NTSB investigation found maintenance personnel's failure to follow the avionics installation guidance for the oil pressure sensor, which resulted in the high-cycle fatigue failure of a line, oil starvation, and the subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to perform an adequate preflight inspection of the airplane. [35] [36]
  • On June 6, 2023, a Dassault Falcon 10 touched down off the runway while landing at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The aircraft touched down in a dry storm water pond. All five aboard were uninjured.[37][38]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "IATA Airport Code Search (ECP: NW Florida Beaches Int)". International Air Transport Association. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g FAA Airport Form 5010 for ECP PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective January 25, 2024.
  3. ^ "ECP Airport Statistics for 2023" (PDF). Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  4. ^ Kelly, Pat (October 8, 2009). "New airport gets new name, to chagrin of some". The News Herald (Panama City, Florida).
  5. ^ Kelly, Pat (November 11, 2009). "Airport lands on another name: Officials vote 3-2 to change to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport". The News Herald (Panama City, Florida).
  6. ^ "Forecast Looks Sunny & Clear for New Florida Airport | Airport Improvement Magazine". airportimprovement.com. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  7. ^ "History". Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Archived from the original on July 8, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  8. ^ "EDITORIAL: Airport: More bumps". Panama City News Herald. April 18, 2010.
  9. ^ Goodnough, Abby (May 9, 2007). "In a Quiet Part of Florida, a Bid to Bring in the Crowds". The New York Times.
  10. ^ "Tifalmin Airport (TFB) Tifalmin, Papua New Guinea (PG)". World Airport Codes. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  11. ^ "Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport code (ECP)". Air-Port-Codes. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  12. ^ "ECP airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  13. ^ "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Bay County, FL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 8 (PDF p. 9/54). Retrieved July 22, 2024. Northwest Florida Beaches International Arprt
  14. ^ Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport benefits from added service, destinations [dead link‍]
  15. ^ a b c Cobb, Nathan. "Northwest Florida Beaches Airport in Bay records second busiest year ever in 2022". Panama City News Herald. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  16. ^ "AirNav: KECP - Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport". airnav.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  17. ^ "Ground Transportation". Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  18. ^ Owen, Bill (October 21, 2009). "News Flash: New Service Coming Next May". Southwest Airlines. Archived from the original on October 24, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  19. ^ http://www.delta.com, Flight Schedules
  20. ^ "ECP Northwest Florida Beaches Intl Airport (ECP/KECP)".
  21. ^ "Fleet & Partners". Mesa Airlines - Start Your Climb®. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  22. ^ "Where We Fly". Home Page. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  23. ^ "Travel". www.airwis.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  24. ^ "Immediate Release Announcement" (PDF). January 18, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  25. ^ Horn, Charlie (November 17, 2022). "Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport approves new projects". mypanhandle.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  26. ^ Scott, Victoria (February 16, 2023). "ECP Airport officials give updates on three large projects". WJHG. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  27. ^ "Delta Air Lines to launch five more new nonstop routes from Austin in 2025". KXAN. September 30, 2024.
  28. ^ "March 2023 Flight Schedule now available on Southwest.com". Southwest Airlines.
  29. ^ "ECP Airport Annual Traffic 2011-Present". iflybeaches.com. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  30. ^ a b "Panama City, FL: Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP)". Bureau of Transportation Statistics. July 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  31. ^ "Aero Commander 200D crash in Florida (N929DM) | PlaneCrashMap.com". planecrashmap.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  32. ^ "Cessna 180 crash in Florida (N6547A) | PlaneCrashMap.com". planecrashmap.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  33. ^ "Plane vanishes off Florida radar. Hours later, two found dead in the wreckage". Miami Herald. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  34. ^ "Aviation Investigation - 29 Docket Items - ERA22FA149". NTSB. September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "At least two dead in plane crash near Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport". WMBB. June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  36. ^ "Aviation Investigation - 19 Docket Items - ERA22FA261". NTSB. June 7, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  37. ^ "Plane lands off runway at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport". WJHG. June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  38. ^ Lewis, Tom; Schley, Alex; Byers, Corum (June 7, 2023). "Authorities investigating jet crash at ECP". mypanhandle.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
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