About

History of                                           Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS)

Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS) is the preferred aviation gateway to Florida's Gulf Coast and is an excellent option when making travel plans. Convenient and centrally located within the top ten places to live and do business throughout the United States, Northwest Florida Regional Airport is an exceptional resource for travelers who favor distinct modern amenities without congestion. Our award-winning terminal accommodates passengers from around the world with over 50 non-stop flights daily to primary hub cities across the nation, making domestic and international connections easy. Offering low fares and great values, VPS is the smart choice. Serving communities from west of Pensacola to east of Panama City and southern Alabama, the central location makes flying a breeze for over 2 million residents.


History

March 2011 - Vision Airlines launches the largest airline expansion in over a decade as they began service non-stop service to 15 cities from VPS.  The cities include: Atlanta, GA - Asheville, NC  Baton Rouge, LA - Chattanooga, TN - Columbia, SC - Greenville-Startanburg, SC - Knoxville, TN  Huntsville, AL - Little Rock, AR - Louisville, KY - Orlando - Sandford, FL - Ft Myers/Punta Gorda, FL Savannah, GA/Hilton Head, SC - Shreveport, LA - St Petersburg/Clearwater, FL.  All service is on B-737-400 and Dornier 328 aircraft.

December 2010 - Vision Airlines began non-stop service to Niagara Falls and Miami, Fl.  This new service gives leisure travelers from Western New York and Canada a low-cost way to escape to the sunny beaches of Florida and delivers Okaloosa County residents fantastic vacation destinations only a short flight away. Travelers can now fly non-stop to Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG) and Miami thanks to new, low fare services aboard Boeing 737 aircraft with fares starting at $69 each way with two flights per week (Friday and Sunday). To book your flight go to VisionAirlines.com or call 1-877-Fly-A-Jet.

June 2010 - The USO Center "Freedom Lounge" opened its doors.  The center will serve more than 30,000 troops and their families in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties.  Col. Bruce McClintock, commander of the 96th Air Base Wing presided over the ceremony and said “This community does the best job with caring for past, present and future warriors. We are grateful to all of you.” Special thanks to Leadership Okaloosa Class 2009-2010 for naming it as their project and for all they did in having this world class facility designed and furnished.

May 2010 - The UH-1 "Huey" Helicopter was dedicated in honor of the late Michael J. Novosel Sr., who earned a Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics. Hundreds of people, including family members and soldiers from Fort Rucker, Ala., attended the ceremony on a sunny afternoon.

September 2009 -  Military and local officials expressed support for the arrival of the 7th Special Forces Group relocating to Okaloosa County from Fort Bragg, NC by signing the Okaloosa County Military Community Covenant. Those who signed their names during a dedication ceremony for an F-15 display at Northwest Florida Regional Airport included retired Air Force Col. Bud Day, Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster, Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland Jr. of the Army’s Special Operations Command, mayors from six Okaloosa County cities, and county commissioners.

May 2009 — Opened Consolidated Rental Car Service Facility on new 22 acre leasehold just east of the main terminal. This facility has offices for all 5 rental car companies as well as rental car service facilities with hydraulic lifts, automated car washes, gas pumps and vacuum islands and a consolidated fuel farm for both aviation and unleaded gasoline. This $14M project came in on time and under budget and was funded entirely with rental car user fees.

April 2009 — US Airways began service with three (3) flights daily to Charlotte, NC. using CRJ 200 aircraft.

July 2005 — American Eagle began service with five (5) flights daily to Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. using 50-seat ERJ-145 aircraft.