The Ocala International Airport's new $7.3 million terminal was cleared for takeoff on Friday.
The 17,500-square-foot terminal at the airport on Southwest 60th Avenue is almost three times the size of the old 1960s-era original terminal building.
With the extra room, many of the airport's services can consolidate under one roof. Airport administration and Sheltair Aviation, the airport's fixed-base operator, has moved from other areas of the airport into the terminal. The car rental companies are staying in the terminal, and space for a new restaurant is available.
A helicopter charter and an airplane charter company also plan to open offices in the terminal.
The funding for the project included $3.6 million in grants from the Florida Department of Transportation, $2 million from Sheltair and $1.6 million from the airport.
"It creates a gateway unlike any other for Ocala. It's a wonderful first impression," said Matt Grow, the airport director.
The centerpiece of that first impression is a vintage 1947 North American Navion airplane hanging from the terminal's ceiling. The shiny metal body hangs at a slight angle, as if preparing to bank, and features insignia from its former life as a training aircraft for the U.S. Army Air Corps.
"It's awesome. It filled the space perfectly," Grow said.
The terminal also features meeting rooms off the airy lobby. The restaurant is still under construction. An outdoor eating area and playground is also in the works, Grow said.
"It's a beautiful building and will serve our needs for at least another 10 years. I'm really excited," he said.
Mayor Kent Guinn said he greets every sports team that flies into Ocala to face the University of Florida Gators and can't wait to show off the new terminal.
"When they used to fly in here, they would see that little terminal we had. Now, they will fly in and see this and it will be very impressive,"' Guinn said.
Kevin Sheilley, president and CEO Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership, agreed.
"We've not had the best first impression of our community. This is a fantastic first impression," he said.
The airport is one of the busier facilities in the state for private aircraft and charters. There is a brisk business travel segment. They counted more than 77,000 individual takeoffs and landings.
Still, Grow is often asked if commercial service will ever return to Ocala.
"The airlines know we are here," he said. "If an airline called us and said, 'We want to fly out of Ocala tomorrow,' theoretically, we can do it... The good news is there are over 400 acres of aviation property that we can develop. We can build a dedicated airline terminal if the demand is there."
Contact Carlos E. Medina at 867-4157 or [email protected].
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