The Charlotte County Airport Authority (CCAA) reopened Runway 4-22 on Friday after a year-long reconstruction and rehabilitation project. Runway 4-22 is the preferred runway for commercial airlines as it is the longest runway at 7,193 feet. Runway 4 is also best oriented for prevailing winds and instrument approach procedures.
Area residents may notice the commercial airline flight patterns have returned to 2021 levels when Runway 4-22 was used more than 90% of the time for takeoffs and landings. However, Runway 15-33, which was extended to 6,281 feet in 2020 to handle commercial service, will continue to be used by commercial airlines at a lower frequency than in 2022.
“We want to thank the airport staff, contractors and agencies that all collaborated to make this happen during a challenging year,” said CCAA Chair Robert D. Hancik. “This rehabilitation project is integral to efficient air transportation and anticipated economic development needs for the decades ahead.”
In an effort to help local residents understand the routes of airliners taking off and landing on each runway, CCAA has worked with engineering consultant AECOM to develop a set of flight corridor maps depicting the FAA-approved routes that pilots most often take. The flight corridor maps were developed using data points from actual takeoffs in landings during the two busiest months of 2021, December and March, when both Runway 15-33 and Runway 4-22 were open. Residents can view the maps by clicking on the “FLIGHT CORRIDOR MAPS” button at the top of www.FlyPGD.com.
Runway 4-22 was constructed in the 1940s and has endured decades of takeoffs and landings, so the center portion of the runway was removed and reconstructed along its entire length. The remaining portion of the runway was milled and resurfaced. Both portions of the runway were paved with asphalt, grooved and painted with runway markings. New blast pads were also constructed at each end of the runway, and new energy-efficient lighting was installed.
The $15-million project was designed by Kimley-Horn and completed by Wright Construction Group. The runway project was entirely funded by the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which funds airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, airfield signage, lighting, and markings, and additional discretionary funding supplemented by the FAA. The AIP fund draws support from aviation user fees, passenger tickets and aircraft fuel taxes. Airports are entitled to a certain amount of AIP funding each year based on passenger volume.
Runway 4-22’s rehabilitation is essential to meet the continued demands of commercial air service, keep runway pavements from rapidly deteriorating and meet standards for pavement conditions, safety and usability.
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About Punta Gorda Airport
The Charlotte County Airport Authority (CCAA), governed by five elected commissioners, owns and operates the Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), located at 28000 Airport Road, five minutes off I-75, exits 161 and 164. PGD provides quick and easy access to Southwest Florida, and is home to commercial air service, air charters, medical transport services, aircraft maintenance and avionics repair, an A&P School, as well as flight schools, distributers and manufacturers. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operations or construction. CCAA is a nontaxing entity and operates as an enterprise fund, totally supported by revenue generated from its operations including rental car concession, parking, fuel sales and hangar, building and land leases on its 2,000-acre property. The CCAA is an independent special district pursuant to chapter 189, Florida Statutes, and operates in accordance with FAA requirements and guidelines. A 2022 economic impact study by the FDOT estimated that PGD is responsible for 11,319 jobs and $1.7 billion in total economic output. For more information, visit www.flypgd.com.