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Three Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Kissimmee Gateway Airport
Three Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Kissimmee Gateway Airport
Traveling through the City of Kissimmee, we’ve all grown accustomed to seeing different types of transportation from cars, busses, bikes, boats, and trains. But did you know that many people choose flying as their method of transportation to our City through Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KGA)? There are no commercial passenger airlines that operate out of KGA, but around 50,000 planes take off and land at KGA every year, making it one of the top 150 airports in the nation in terms of traffic. That’s why we wanted to share with you, three interesting facts you didn’t know about Kissimmee Gateway Airport.
It’s Closer to All the Action
Whether it’s SeaWorld, Disney World, the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center, Champion’s Gate, or Gaylord Palms, no general aviation airport is closer to the action than Kissimmee Gateway Airport. If an organization or individual is flying to Central Florida for an event or to visit our region’s major attractions, the last thing they want is an extended drive after they land. Many people might assume that Orlando or Sanford is home to the closest airport to these attractions, but it’s actually the City of Kissimmee that boasts the most direct route and close proximity.
More Than Just an Airport
Kissimmee Gateway Airport is not just a place for planes to take off and land. There are eleven businesses that operate out of KGA and more organizations are opening their doors every year. Fixed-Base Operators (FBO’s) provide aeronautical services for pilots once they land such as fueling, hangaring, parking, and more. Citizens can also find primary and secondary education opportunities on location at Kissimmee Gateway Airport including flight schools and aircraft maintenance training. There’s even an aircraft museum and business that will fly you in World War II era aircraft. You could definitely say, “there’s more than meets the eye” when it comes to our home town airport. Go to KGA’s website for more information on all the businesses operating inside our airport.
History in the Making
Kissimmee Gateway Airport got its start in 1942 when the Air Force requested property from the City of Kissimmee to build an airfield for pilot training. In 1947, the airport property was given back to the City as long as it continued to operate as an airport. Things got exciting in the 1990’s when the main runway was lengthened by 1,000 feet, allowing the airport to attract corporate jets. Now, with the opening of a control tower in 1997, and the FAA’s construction of an Instrument Landing System in 2007, KGA boasts some of the best infrastructure capability of any general aviation airport in the country.
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