Air Service Development
Your window into the data and strategy shaping air service at Punta Gorda Airport.
Have you ever wondered, “Why doesn’t PGD have more airlines, or just add flights to [insert city]?”
These are the most common questions we get — and the answer surprises a lot of people.
Airlines Decide Routes
Airports like PGD don’t choose the airlines or destinations they offer. Airlines make those decisions based on route performance, staffing, fleet availability and profitability across their national network. Airlines are ultimately accountable to their shareholders or owners, and make unilateral decisions about what locations they fly to and how often. PGD, like the other 568 commercial service airports in the U.S, work aggressively to recruit new airlines or add more service every day.
Here’s what PGD does:
- We track where our travelers are going, and we regularly share that data with airline route planners.
- We show them how full our flights are.
- We offer airline incentives by waiving fees temporarily, and providing monetary marketing support.
- We highlight the most requested destinations, current travel trends and tourism demand.
- We advocate — constantly. In fact, our new Director of Air Service Development is dedicated to recruiting new airlines and adding destinations.
Airlines ultimately make the final call — but PGD is working every day to make the best case for Punta Gorda.
Here’s how you can support Air Service Development at PGD:
Every time someone in our community chooses to fly local, it strengthens the case for expanded service in the future. The more you fly through PGD, the easier it is to show profitability to airlines.
If you’re a leisure traveler, consider adjusting your schedule based on the flights offered at PGD instead of going to another airport. You can book early, at least 30 days in advance, to show strong demand and your intention to travel.
Tell your favorite carrier that you have been a frequent flyer with for years what you really want as the customer. Nothing stops the customer from emailing, sending a letter or having a conversation. You can follow your favorite airlines on social media, tag PGD and #FlyPGD to encourage new service at Punta Gorda Airport. Equally, CEOs and leaders of local companies can leverage their corporate travel relationships with airlines and ask that new routes to be considered.
FAQs
What else is at PGD besides Allegiant operations?
Punta Gorda Airport is owned and operated by the Charlotte County Airport Authority, headed by five elected Commissioners. The Authority employs about 130 staff that manages the operations, maintenance and development of 2,000 acres – including the Bailey Terminal, PGD Air Center, hundreds of hangars, facilities and runways. The Authority has agreements with Allegiant and Sun Country to operate out of the Bailey Terminal, but we also manage dozens of leases for business tenants throughout airport property including private charters, medical transport, flight schools, distributors and manufacturers, etc.
PGD, like the other 568 commercial service airports in the U.S, work aggressively to recruit new airlines or add more service every day.
What kind of data does PGD use to market to airlines?
We track where people in our region are flying — even when they drive to other airports — and we share that data directly with airline route planners.
We share passenger statistics, regional demographic data, migration data, tourism data, and notable residential and commercial developments. We often partner with our local economic development and tourism organizations to provide the most up-to-date, compelling data at CatchPGD.com. We also pitch specific markets based on second home ownership, travel behaviors, visitation and usage of our neighboring airports.
Is PGD working to recruit a major airline?
Yes. We’ve met with representatives from American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue in hopes of bringing daily service to a major hub. Our goal is to provide our passengers with daily service to a hub so they can connect to a world of destinations. Since the major carriers are already serving airports in Sarasota and Fort Myers, it’s challenging to encourage them to relocate to PGD or add new competing service nearby. Airlines don’t want to duplicate service, take on more expenses for the same market and cannibalize their existing ridership.
Is PGD working to recruit another low-cost airline?
Yes. In addition to Sun Country, we’ve met with representatives from Breeze Airways, Avelo Airlines and Frontier Airlines in hopes of new service to markets that Allegiant is not already serving or likely to serve. Since Allegiant is already serving 50+ destinations from PGD, we continue to research and pitch niche markets that would be profitable for other low-cost airlines to serve.
Does PGD offer incentives to new airlines to come to PGD?
Yes. We are offering up to $100K in marketing support to an airline providing new daily service to a major hub, with a commitment from our local VCB to match that. Plus, our low-cost model offers airlines one of the lowest CPEs (cost per enplanement) in the nation. Once we have service, we provide additional marketing support in struggling markets or destinations.
Will expanding the Bailey Terminal help recruit new airlines?
Yes. We believe that renovations and adding more gates, passenger amenities and circulation space will help attract new airlines. Learn more about the Bailey Terminal Expansion.
In 2026, we are also going to implement Common Use computer equipment, standards which allow airlines, airports and ground handling agents to support the optimization of passenger processes using shared technologies typically found at airports. We’re always looking for cost-effective ways to make PGD more attractive to airlines.
Is the Punta Gorda market big enough to attract a large airline?
PGD’s advantage is its convenient access to I-75 and a large catchment area from southern Tampa Bay down to Marco Island.
Punta Gorda is less recognized nationally than the larger, more prominent cities of Fort Myers and Sarasota, which have more developed tourist infrastructures, higher national visibility, robust employment opportunities and larger populations. Punta Gorda is known regionally for its smaller, historic charm and quiet, laid-back atmosphere.
The total population of Charlotte County is only a fourth of Lee County’s and less than half of Sarasota County. With a median age of 60, Charlotte County has more retirees and more demand for lower-frequency leisure travel, as opposed to metropolitan areas with work commuters.
Is PGD smaller than neighboring airports in Fort Myers and Sarasota?
PGD’s first modern commercial airline operated out of a 15,500 square foot terminal in 2007, which expanded to 68,500 square feet in 2015. The latest expansion will increase the Bailey Terminal to 119,200 square feet. PGD began airline service relatively recently and has been operating out of a much smaller space than its neighboring airports.
Comparatively, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) began commercial service in 1983 when they opened a 350,000 square foot terminal with 14 gates at a cost of $90 million. RSW’s current terminal opened in 2005 at 798,000 square feet and is undergoing an expansion of 117,000 square feet. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) began commercial service in 1961. SRQ’s 240,000 square foot terminal opened in 1989, and they opened a 75,000 square foot ground-level expansion in 2025.
Has PGD’s low-cost airport model been successful?
For a small-hub airport that was focused on general aviation for many decades, PGD has seen huge success over the last 15 years, and we are now Allegiant’s fourth largest base. PGD is consistently recognized for having one of the lowest average airfares in the nation, and for being one of the least expensive airports for airlines to operate out of. Our customers enjoy the convenience, service and charm of a small airport like PGD.
We are fortunate that PGD contributes $1.7 billion in total economic output, is responsible for 11,319 jobs and achieves this without any ad valorem taxes. What the airport earns is reinvested back into the airport for its own financial self-sufficiency, so PGD’s leadership is focused on making incremental improvements without taking on debt.
What other airlines have operated out of PGD?
Skybus operated at PGD from 2007-08; Direct Air from 2008-12; Allegiant began service in 2009; Vision in 2011; Frontier from 2016-17; Sun Country began service in 2021. PGD, like the other 568 commercial service airports in the U.S, work aggressively to recruit new airlines or add more service every day.
How do airlines decide which airports they want to fly in and out of?
Airlines decide where to fly based on profitability, staffing, aircraft availability and demand across their entire network. They also evaluate their competitors’ routes, scheduling logistics, economic uncertainty and variable costs like fuel. That’s why we focus on providing strong data and a compelling case for Punta Gorda at CatchPGD.com. Airlines don’t want to duplicate service, take on more expenses for the same market and cannibalize their existing ridership.
Does PGD have the local workforce to support a new airline?
As with any employer, employees travel from within Charlotte County, as well as neighboring counties and municipalities, to work at PGD. With more airlines providing year-round service, job growth potential will increase. For now, airlines like Sun Country contract with a private company in Fort Myers to handle check-in and ticket counter services, baggage processing and handling, aircraft loading and unloading, pushback and towing, etc.
Does PGD need to have passenger boarding bridges, or jet bridges, to attract a new airline?
No. PGD’s gently sloping ramps are commonly employed at many small airports that have one-story terminals or support low-cost carriers. Legacy carriers also utilize airports without jet bridges. PGD is not planning to employ passenger boarding bridges (PBBs) in the near future due to significant investments required to modify its facilities, purchase and maintain equipment.
However, PBBs may be incorporated in the future if they are funded by an airline partner, or part of a capital improvement project. If a new airline requires PBBs for daily service, we stand ready to evaluate its feasibility. Note that SRQ just completed a 75,000 square foot ground-level terminal expansion that uses ramps instead of PBBs.
Does ground boarding impede airline activity?
No. Airline staff find that ground boarding ramps are less likely to damage aircraft, and that the turnaround time for passengers to deplane and board is usually quicker. While ground boarding is halted when lightning is within a five-mile radius, so is baggage handling. Even large airports that use PBBs experience lightning delays when staff is prohibited from going outside to hook them up, move aircraft and offload bags.
Does PGD have plans to become an international airport?
We are not planning to become an international airport as it would require new facilities, regulatory approvals and infrastructure improvements at an enormous cost. With several international airports so close by, there would not be a reasonable return on investment.
Do you have a question that is not addressed in the FAQs above? If so, please email us at news@flyPGD.com.