Comments on: It’s Official: NW Florida Beaches International Airport Open For Business

By: Panama City Beach Fights Gulf Oil Spill with Real Fun Summer

Panama City Beach Fights Gulf Oil Spill with Real Fun Summer — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:30:00 +0000

[...] the REAL.FUN.BEACH. destination which recently celebrated the opening of its brand new $318 million Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), is not letting the potential impact from the Gulf Coast off-shore oil spill deter its plans to [...]

By: dave

dave — Sat, 29 May 2010 02:03:10 +0000

What happened to US Airways flying in here?

By: Ray

Ray — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:35:21 +0000

@ jobeibi, you are correct. However, international arrivals to PFN had already cleared immigration /custom at another gateway city to connect to Panama City since there were no direct or non stop flights prior to ECP. We are now courting international carriers to fly directly into the new ECP , which makes ECP the gateway city. This will require that all arrivals and departures will require to clear custom and immigration at this location. Or , did I miss something?

By: jobeibi

jobeibi — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:01:06 +0000

Ray, PFN had been designated as an International airport since 1992. If those things were required for international status, then I’m sure that the operations were carried over from the PFN site.

By: maggie

maggie — Wed, 26 May 2010 06:06:26 +0000

I’m sure there must be a passport screening center. Even in the old airport we had our luggage checked through to Canada, even though it (and we) changed planes twice on the way home.

By: Ray

Ray — Wed, 26 May 2010 04:12:21 +0000

Is there even a passport control and custom area to handle the international flights? Will there be a place to make currency exchanges and are any of the signage in multiple languages? This all will have to happen to be an international airport by defination, as in Atlanta.

By: neil

neil — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:06:20 +0000

I like your comments Bernard. We live is England and have owed a property on the Beach for 7 years now and love it–we come 3 or 4 times per year. I like the idea of the new airport but it is currently too expensive for us to fly into. We fly from London to Atlanta and the drive 5 hours to PC–but it is worth it. The only thing that you got wrong was asking British airways—I am British through and through but those people at BA could all be without a job soon–they lost $800million last year and are now striking–BA may not be in business too much longer at this rate. Cant wait for our next visit in 5 weeks,

By: jobeibi

jobeibi — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:08:02 +0000

6. Trash cans in the parking lots. I saw a lot of water bottles strewn around the parking lot on Saturday. I started to pick them up, but couldn’t find a trash can to put them in.
7. Traffic signs on the trolley-ways through the parking lot. I was surprised to discover that I was not on a sidewalk. Just a little warning that the path is used by airport trolleys would be helpful.

By: Bernard

Bernard — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:20:08 +0000

I just wanted quickly to address foreign flights. Since we have extended the runway to accomodate the boeing 777 and Airbus 300, are we going to work with British Airways, Lufthansa, Airfrance, Canada Air etc….

Since the beaches and the weather is still good in the winter, that probably would opened a new waves of guests coming to this area…..Panama City Beaches where the only oil we have on our beaches is Sun-Tan Oil.

By: Bernard

Bernard — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:06:13 +0000

I think the new airport is fantastic. With a few adjustment it would be even better.

1. The airport sign at the entrance, off Hwy 388, need to be lit at night. People are already complaining that they are missing it.
2. Some flights are coming in after 7:30 PM until 11:30PM. The snack bar downstair closes at 5:00PM and the restaurants are closed at 7:30PM I think that business hours could be extended until at least 9:30PM.
3. No payphones. That was a surprise. Every airport should have payphones. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone has a cell phone. Those who have it are sometimes required to pay roming fees, if not from this area. I strongly suggesat that this issue be addressed.
4. Shuttle: Is that an issue on the board? or will every Hotels and Resorts have to provide their own????
5. Vending machine for soda and water or even coffee. In case the restaurants are not opened and neither is the snack bar, vending machines should be considered. If the restaurants will be staying opened until 9:30PM and will be opened for the first 7:30AM flight, than, the vending machines would not be necessary as they would take away some of the sales from the opened facilities.

Just a few toughts.

PS. TDC should be opened by 7:30AM and their booth ready with a smile and ready to greet for this first flight.