St Petersburg Clearwater International Airport
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International is a "tiny" airport with several advantages to give to its travelers. Although not as grand as the neighboring Tampa International Airport, PIE also offers modern amenities to the passengers in order to ensure them a pleasant experience.
You will find a restaurant at the second level of the airport; there will also be a full-service lounge with a bar. For those quick snacking times, food and beverage kiosks around the gate areas will be of immense help. While the concession will give you fine American dining experience either overlooking Tampa Bay or airport action, it is expected that you do not seek sumptuousness at this place.
St. Pete - Clearwater International might not be ideal for very extensive last minute shopping escapades, but it could rescue you with its small gift shops and duty free shops at the terminal. In case you forgot to grab some souvenirs from your Tampa Bay vacation, head to Suncoast Attractions Store for some of their distinctive items.
If you are coming into the St Pete-Clearwater International, you will be glad with your choice of the airport. It is small in comparison to the Tampa International Airport, which is located 10 miles to the east. Its being tiny, nevertheless, gives you the advantage of less walking distance to outside the airport and car rental services. Rental car services of companies like Alamo/National, Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz are available on-site. Taxi and shuttle services are not far-off either.
A safe and clean airport, PIE has seen a rise in the number of passenger served over the period of two years, from 389,997 in 2006 to 742,380 in 2008. USA 3000, Sunwing, Seacoast and CanJet are some of the airlines that operate out of this airport. Out of these, CanJet and Sunwing service to Halifax, Canada and Toronto, Canada, respectively. Allegiant Air is apparently the main airline of this airport connecting several US cities to Tampa Bay. There is only one terminal and 13 gates at St. Pete-Clearwater International.
St. Pete-Clearwater Airport has been functioning with a history of its own. The famous Wright brothers had something to do with the airport's yesteryears. Almost a decade after the world-renowned duo pioneered a flight, the very first ticket for air travel was sold by the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line and a plaque at PIE's terminal building commemorates the historical event. The airport also became a part of the historical Pearl Harbor Attack; after the attack, the airport site was used by US Army Air Force as a military fight training base.
The airport offers group tours for children and adults. If you want to take a closer look at a piece of history, gather some friends and arrange for a customized airport tour. There is also a golf course at the airport. It might surprise you but St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport owns and operates a 129-acre golf course, known as Airco Golf Course. If golfing is on the top of your vacation priority list or you intend to stay closer to the airport for any other reason, there are many hotels nearby. Best Western, Comfort Inn, Homestead, Holiday Inn and Radisson are just a few of them.
14700 Terminal Boulevard
Clearwater, Florida 33762
(727) 453-7800
http://www.fly2pie.com
|