Well folks, we’ve done it again. You see them here first – new aerials of the new Panama City Airport have been released and they show the runway extension of Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport as almost complete.
It is so fascinating to watch the progress of this creation grow over time. It has been a fun few years watching our area grow and see this development come to fruition. The Terminal looks pretty much complete from the outside, and you can see grass coming in strongly in many areas. But enough talk, lets see them pix!
PCBDaily 
That’s awesome! Thank you for the great photos!
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what is the black area? Is that water? I thought there was suppose to be 2 runways.
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I have the same question? I thought there were two runways. On on the long end of the site and one on the small end? The small end looks like its simply for water retention. Is that correct?
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The final plan includes a cross-wind runway but has been put off for now, as I understand it, because of some indecision of the Airport Authority Board. Or it could be a funding issue, not real sure. They’ve decided to make it storm water run off retention areas for now.
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Just curious as to how to get to the airport from Hwy 79. Was in town for the holidays and I have a general idea of where it is located but not sure how to get there.
Thanks!
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If you are going north on 79, directly after the bridge, turn right on Hwy 388. It’s 4 miles on the left.
If youare coming in to Panama City Beach, Traveling south, turn left on 388, just befor the bridge.
Hope this helps
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Thanks Bernard!
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Thanks for the update!
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Progress! Thanks Jason…that is a beautiful sight!
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Does anyone know the approach heading to the runways?? It is only marked by an “X” right now. I am curious as to how the runway approach/take-off headings compare to the location of RiverCamps and Westbay community.
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The X is there to be sure pilots know NOT to land there. I’m pretty sure the approach and take off will be from and to the north. But, I could be wrong.
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What is the actual address of the airport. It would be helpful to use GPS to determine how far our rental properties are so we can start telling our renters.
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Not sure about the address, but if you go north on Highway 79, take a right on 388 (east), the airport is 4 miles down.
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Thanks for the pix. It’s very exciting!
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What I don’t get is that it looks like where you walk from the parking area to the building is the area WITHOUT the roof, so you have a (very long!) walk in the rain, sun, etc. Why in the world would they have roof overhangs before and after that point for car drop-offs but make a strong disincentive to actually walk to/from the terminal to the parking lot by not having any roof coverage?
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The covered areas ARE the drop off and pick up locations. The area in between there are no doors.
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I think they are the CAR drop off areas – I was talking about the path from the parking lot to the building for someone walking in. Unless I am missing something, it looks like the sidewalk from the parking lot leads to the middle area where there are no roof areas.
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Are there going to be ‘jetways’ at each gate – or do we walk down stairs then onto planes?? I would assume jetways would be installed, but the artist rendetion and the pics don’t show them yet… just curious! Awesome shots btw.
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There will be “jetways” for most passengers to enter and exit planes. There are stairs as well for the planes that won’t accommodate the “jetways”.
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I thought there was going to be a shorter cross runway (east-west) as well?
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The pictures are great, but I have the same questions. I thought we were getting 2 runways also. Are planes arriving and departing on the same one? There doesn’t seem to be any expansion room for another terminal and no covered parking lot is going to be an issue. But all in all I am glad its here and here with Southwest.
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How many planes can land there at one time? The terminal doesn’t seem that large.
Great pictures and good job getting them first!
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Very nice to see the progress. Welcome Southwest!
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Where’s my crosswind runway?
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GBC
Litlt steps, little steps
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Jason, GREAT JOB AS ALWAYS! Howver there are some very good questions that you are receiving for your feedback. Where can we go to /IF there are answers to the replys? It would be great if you posted them.
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In my opinion they underbuilt. If all the folks they are making noise about arrive in PCB it will be way to small and more money will be needed from guess who (the tax payer ) to expand this baby.
Also you keep referring to the name of the Airport as “Northwest Florida Beaches International”
Airport”. Did the name change since it was announced? I thought the new name was “Northwest Florida-Bay County International Airport”. Would appreciate knowing the correct name.
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The correct name is Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The first “new” name was Northwest Florida – Panama City International Airport, but it caused an uproar in the tourism and local political community and they changed it to the first name mentioned above.
The current configuration of the new airport actually lends itself quite nicely to expansion and is rather large as it stands. I know it looks little in the pictures, but in “real life” I think it will suit us well in the beginning.
As far as expansion goes, it would not be difficult for them to build on to the terminal to the north and there are already preliminary plans for a parallel 10,000 foot runway to the west of the service road. Of course, the plans are there on paper, but the actual runway will only be built when the demand dictates.
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What are the opening day details. I am willing to fly in on May 23rd for the festivities and bring a group of friend. Please advise what is planned opening day.
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Jason: Very nice pictures! And Thanks for keeping us informed on the Beaches airport’s progress.
Can’t wait for the airport to open and Southwest get here. I got an urge to visit folks up North!
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Great job Jason! We may want to start planning a grand opening for the civil / private FBO and get the EAA guys invited to a general aviation fly-in!
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Jason, fabulous job! Thanks for getting these photos out to us!
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Wow Jason, you’ve done it again!
We are so grateful to have your eyes and ears in PCB since we live out-of-town.
Can’t wait to fly in!
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Great photos! But I agree with everyone…they’ll eventually need to expand the terminal, seems small if they eventually plan on having a busy airport with a lot of passegers and airlines. Plus, no covered parking?? We all know how the afternoon thunderstorms are in the summer, especially in that part of the county! Prepare to get wet if you need to park and walk….oh well…just glad it’s being built and Southwest is coming! Great pics again Jason!
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Many airports don’t have covered parking. I don’t see this as being a huge issue. I know we have some rain here in the summers, but lingering storms don’t usually last very long around here.
Ii don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t be able to build some parking garages later when demand dictates. Remember, we only had $330 million to build an ENTIRE airport from scratch on land that was heavily previously wooded. 😉
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What is the date for completion and opening of facilities for planes to land?
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May 23rd is the first day of operation.
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Who will be the hiring authority for the Airport? I have people constantly asking me about what jobs will be available and when. Do you know who they would need to contact? Thank you.
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Got tickets for the first flight out on the 23rd!!
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The airport looks more like a marina than a place for airplanes. I’d say they picked the wrong place! A little late now.
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Thanks Jason! Keep up the great work!
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Also inquiring about opening day activities. Would like to plan to be there. Please let us know when you have details.
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How will you go to the new airport from Fort Walton beach?
Dave H.
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Dave: To get to the new airport from Ft. Walton Beach.
Either come over on US-98 to Panama City Beach, turn left on SR-79 (which is also Arnold), proceed to Westbay and cross over the Intracoastal waterway, immediately turn RIGHT on CR-388, and it’ s my understanding that it’s about four miles down the road.
Or, if you’re closer to SR-20 (i.e. from Valapariso), come over to Ebro, turn right on SR-79 and go down until you see the Intracoastal waterway bridge, and turn left on CR-388 immediately before the bridge; still four miles down CR-388, of course. 😉
US-98 is probably faster.
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