Southern Sky Aviation has signed a 30-year lease agreement with the Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District to develop an FBO at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (KECP) in Panama City. The facility will add a competing aircraft services provider at the airport and also marks Southern Sky Aviation’s second FBO following the purchase of its Trent Lott International Airport location in southeast Mississippi.
Slated to open in late 2023, the $25-million development will include an 8,800-sq-ft FBO terminal with more than 73,000 sq ft of hangar space, and 10 acres of ramp space. Among the FBO terminal amenities will be a conference room, pilot and passenger lounges, showers, a flight-planning area, and a refreshment center. The customer parking area will also have electric car recharging stations.
Southern Sky Aviation CEO Bo Andrews said the project has been in the works for two years. Company president Donald Howell added that the Northwest Florida region “has experienced significant growth over the last several years. Southern Sky Aviation is proud to join this growth and be another gateway for economic development in this community.”
In addition, Southern Sky Aviation offers aircraft maintenance, charter/management, and sales services.