Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport – ECP Northwest Florida Beaches
Currently serving the greater area of Panama City and its neighboring cities, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is a public airport situated northwest area of Panama City. The newly built airport was the first airport to be established in the US after the 9/11 attacks. It replaced the old airport, Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District, due to the demand to increase airport service in the area. 4 aircraft, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, offering regular flight schedules and seasonal schedules to Panama City, Florida, are serving the airport. The IATA code of the airport was originally proposed to be TFB, but Tifalmin Airport of Papua New Guinea already owns the code. Hence, they change it to ECP.
Best Time to Visit
Before the old airport was replaced by Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, it was established in 1932. The first regular scheduled flight service began in 1948. However, the old airport does not have any space for improvements and upgrade that is needed to address the demand to increase passenger capacity. In 2001, the authority was given the approval to build the new airport at Northwest Bay County. The construction of the new airport finished in 2010. Since then, the airport is serving daily scheduled flights. Travelers arriving at the airport can easily head-off to Fort Walton Beach or Miramar Beach.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Currently, there are no plans from the government to construct onsite hotels. Instead travelers can check-in at Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach – Pier Park Area or at Horizon South Resort by Counts-Oakes Resort Properties. Travelers can arrange for airport shuttle service for convenience.
Passengers can also try booking their flight schedules at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.
