The City of Ocala and its fixed-based operator, Sheltair, officially opened the main terminal at Ocala International Airport on Friday.
The new terminal represents a $7 million public-private investment in a facility designed to serve the growing Ocala and Marion County markets, while also strengthening the role of general aviation. It came to fruition through the combined efforts of the city, the airport, the Florida Department of Transportation and Sheltair.
The new 15,722-square-foot terminal is a state-of-the-art building that will house Sheltair (offices, crew lounge, a “quiet room” and flight planning areas), airport administration offices, rental car facilities, community event space and a local restaurant expected to open next year.
“Through City Council’s leadership and key partnerships with the Florida Department of Transportation and Sheltair Aviation, this project has gone from concept to creation,” said Interim City Manager Sandra Wilson. “This airport terminal will serve as an iconic gateway to Ocala and Marion County for business and leisure travelers for generations to come. It signifies our recognition of the positive economic impact the general aviation industry has on this community.”
In addition, Sheltair recently broke ground on a new 19,800-square-foot hangar at the airport with spacious 28-foot doors that will accommodate the latest corporate jets.
“We believe that this new hangar now under construction and the adjacent (Sheltair) building represent a world-class ‘front door’ to the City of Ocala that has come to market just in time,” said Todd Anderson, Sheltair’s senior vice president of real estate and development. “Our company is proud to be part of this unique partnership, contributing our proven aviation design expertise along with a $2 million financial investment, allowing all of us to celebrate a much-anticipated ribbon cutting.”
Anderson noted that it will not only be able to accommodate current general aviation traffic but the significant growth in passenger traffic that will occur when the 4,000-acre World Equestrian Center opens in 2021, becoming an acclaimed Ocala international destination.
The new terminal and hangar aren’t the only areas receiving considerable attention at the airport. Last November, the City Council approved a $5.25-million contract for rehabilitation of the airport’s main taxiway.
“The infrastructure that supports general aviation is crucial to its role in supporting a region’s economy,” Anderson said. “The public officials of Ocala City and the executives of the airport recognize this essential fact and it is reflected in this new terminal and the role it is expected to play in the years to come.”
In December, the airport signed hefty three-year pacts with three vehicle rental companies. In October, President Trump landed at the airport aboard Air Force One before flying to The Villages in Marine One for a speech at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. And in January, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed at the airport before traveling by motorcade to speak at the Sumter County Fairgrounds in Bushnell.
Sheltair is a privately-owned aviation development company that operates 18 fixed-base operations and manages more than four million square feet of aviation-related properties throughout Florida, Georgia, Colorado and New York. The company’s services include fueling, ground handling, hangar and office leasing and turn-key design/build of aviation properties. For more information, visit www.sheltairaviation.com.