Wheels up at Treasure Coast International Airport? Not quite yet.
Despite much talk about commercial flights coming to the Fort Pierce airport, and speculation on which airlines will operate here and where they will fly, nothing official has been announced.
“The county is in discussion with several airlines. We won’t make an announcement until everything is finalized. We do not have a definitive timeframe to make this announcement, despite what’s been ‘reported’/’stated’ on social media,” wrote St. Lucie County Director of Communications Erick Gill via email on Monday.
At last month’s “Inside St. Lucie,” Gill spoke to Cameron Howard, TCIA director, and St. Lucie County Commissioner James Clasby for an update on the airport. “I’m getting a lot of heat for that,” said Clasby, regarding the lack of information or announcements about which commercial airlines are coming. “‘Why is it we don’t have an airline yet?’ residents ask.”
The fact that Vero Beach’s airport has added airlines and flights recently is also making people wonder why nothing has happened in Fort Pierce.
“We’re limited on what we can tell the public but what we can say is that we’ve had interest from multiple airlines and we are in negotiations,” said Howard. “We are working with TSA and FAA to make that transition to a commercial airport. We’re getting there.”
“I think the main thing for people to know is that SLC is actively working to get the airport up and running with commercial service as we’ve promised and as we’ve spent a considerable amount of money on, so far, and we will get it done,” Clasby said.
The TCIA got the official go-ahead to begin offering commercial passenger services on aircraft with more than 30 seats in October 2024 when it received FAA Part 139 Certification. The county began the formal process of pursuing the certification in April 2023.
They also received a $1 million Federal Aviation Association (FAA) grant which was used to prepare the airport terminal for a future with commercial flights.
Work done thus far includes security fencing surrounding the property. A TSA badging project for all employees, which involves background checks, is underway and expected to be completed soon.
Work in the terminal is near completion, and a grand opening ceremony could come as early as the end of this month.
Among the modifications in the terminal were the addition of 100 seats in the passenger terminal, an expanded baggage area and more lighting.
APP Jet Center, a fixed-base operator (FBO) located at the airport, is in the process of opening a restaurant. Asked when it is expected to be completed, Howard said, “I think they’ve aligned it so that it’s ready when we are.”
Negotiations are also underway to add another FBO – a company that offers air-side aviation services – at the airport, according to Howard. “Bringing in a second one would bring in competition,” he said.
Commercial flights at TCIA will benefit more than just the airport but surrounding current and future businesses.
“Florida is really kind of a destination market. Who wouldn’t want to come to Florida? You have people coming in, renting cars, eating at restaurants, shopping and it is really kind of an economic engine for tourism. I anticipate the airport not being the only one to see benefits,” Howard said.