While the prospect of hosting commercial flights remains up in the air, activity related to Treasure Coast International Airport has nevertheless ramped up in recent months.
APP Jet Center celebrated the grand opening of its newly remodeled fixed based operator (FBO) last month, while the County Commission approved a number of items including work on a taxiway.
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 grant which was used to prepare the airport terminal for a future of commercial flights. But bringing commercial flights to TCIA may still take some time, with an announcement not expected before May.
Three commercial airlines are currently operating out of the neighboring Vero Beach Regional Airport.
“The recent investments made at APP Jet Center and throughout the TCIA will be magnified many times over across St. Lucie County, creating very significant positive economic impacts for years to come,” said Wes McCurry, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County in a press release about the APP Jet Center grand reopening.
“We need to make sure we’re giving a better experience to the customers,” said APP General Manager Zach MacDonald. “We’re seeing a lot more business aircraft.
“Customer service is extremely important. We’re kind of a one-stop shop,” he said during a visit to the newly remodeled facility. APP has operated at TCIA for decades.
“Treasure Coast International Airport is uniquely positioned as both a gateway to this community and a strategic alternative to congested South Florida airports,” said APP Jet Center CEO Dan Harrow.
“We’ve long been recognized as one of the most efficient and welcoming ports of entry for travelers arriving from the Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean. This newly remodeled FBO elevates the experience even further, providing a modern, comfortable environment that reflects our commitment to service, safety and operational excellence as aviation demand continues to grow.”
“Our airport is truly turning a corner. The newly remodeled FBO and restaurant space are absolutely beautiful and the new hangars and recent upgrades bring a fresh, welcoming feel to the entire airport,” said St. Lucie County Commissioner Cathy Townsend in a press release issued to celebrate the APP grand reopening.
However, the commissioner wasn’t ready to approve a multi-part recommendation before the board at last week’s March 3 meeting because she needed more information and did not want to rush into a decision.
After a lengthy debate, the recommendation was approved by a vote of 3 to 2 with Townsend and Commissioner James Clasby voting no.
The discussion had to do with whether to continue direct negotiations already in progress with companies looking to lease space at the airport or start over with a Request For Proposal (RFP).
According to County Administrator George Landry, the RFP would require reappraisals of the land followed by writing the RFP and evaluating the applications; this would bring the total time to anywhere between six months to a year for a finished lease.
Those against the RFP route pointed out that the appraisals could come in lower and that one of the companies, Aero East, was ready to pay over the appraisal amount.
Five items approved at the March 3 meeting are as follows:
Option 2 of the Aero East recommendation was chosen; it involves continuing to directly negotiate for five parcels at the “newly offered rate of 34 cents per square foot, 2 cents higher than appraisal price.” Five parcels totaling 40 acres are involved.
Option 2 was also chosen for Aero West with direct negotiation for two parcels at the rate of 32 cents per square foot.
To request an RFP for a hotel.
Direct negotiations would be used for 90 acres that would incorporate a privately-owned 70-acre parcel into the airport.
Process code bid waiver process for Airport West Commerce Park to allow direct negotiation with targeted industries required. The waiver requires “proper paperwork” to be completed to bypass the formal bid process.
According to Gill, Airport West Commerce Park “is under negotiations with several target industries in mind – there are multiple companies, therefore multiple buildings and no site plan has been submitted.”
Among recent airport-related approvals given by commissioners:
On March 3, they accepted a $960,000 grant from the FDOT for use of taxiway improvements. The estimated project cost is $1.2 million.
On Feb. 27, they approved the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Suburban for the TSA requirement of a vehicle for response if immediate action is needed. The vehicle must “always be available for this purpose.”
On Jan. 13, they awarded $439,000 for an airport passenger walkway covering and approved $48,000 to complete pavement layout changes.
On Nov. 4, 2025, they approved $138,701 for an upgrade to the Airport Emergency Phone System because the “airport crash phone system which alerts the airport in an aviation emergency” was inoperable when internet interrupted. The new system will continue to operate, therefore increasing safety.