March 2026 Siteselector’s Newsletter
March 3rd, 2026
Site Selector News Brief
Punta Gorda Airport Surpasses 2.28 Million Passengers
Punta Gorda Airport recorded 2,282,002 passengers in 2025, an 18.5% increase over the prior year. This milestone reflects sustained demand growth and confirms PGD’s role as a scaled regional access platform supporting executive travel, workforce mobility, and distributed operations.
Independent Authority Model Supports Long-Term Infrastructure Delivery
The Charlotte County Airport Authority operates as an independent special district and enterprise fund, supported by airport-generated revenue rather than ad valorem taxes. This structure supports predictable planning and reduces infrastructure delivery risk for employers evaluating access, reliability, and long-horizon capacity.
Terminal Expansion and Airfield Projects Underway
PGD is advancing terminal and airfield investments aligned with sustained demand trends. Construction continues on a 50,000-square-foot Bailey Terminal expansion, with major improvements scheduled to open in 2027.
Capital activity includes completed improvements and active projects supporting operational capacity, airside efficiency, and future development readiness.
- Bailey Terminal expansion and passenger flow upgrades
- Airfield and taxiway improvements supporting safety and throughput
- Apron and FBO hangar development supporting transient and business aviation
- Perimeter road and access improvements supporting site readiness
- Aviation training facility development to support workforce pipelines
Connectivity Signals Durable Market Access
Allegiant and Sun Country continue to serve PGD’s commercial market. The announced merger, expected to close in the second half of 2026, combines Allegiant’s domestic smaller-market network with Sun Country’s scheduled international leisure flying and existing Amazon cargo operations.
For site selectors, airline stability and network scale support regional reach, executive mobility, and long-horizon confidence in aviation-linked access.
Executive Mobility and Expansion Readiness
Aviation performance is a practical signal for employers evaluating speed to market, client access, and operational flexibility. PGD’s scale and capital activity support business travel efficiency and improve regional accessibility for distributed teams.
Site Selector Takeaway
Sustained passenger growth, independent governance, and funded capital improvements position Punta Gorda Airport as a validated regional access platform supporting business mobility and aviation-adjacent expansion in Southwest Florida.
