Airport Opens in Northwest Florida

Northwest Florida Beaches Airport (KECP)--the first U.S. airport built from scratch on undeveloped land since Denver International in 1995--has opened near Panama City, Fla. The 4,000-acre field initially has just one 10,000-foot runway but 8,400-foot and 5,000-foot runways are in the near-term plans. The airport replaces Panama City-Bay County Airport, which is scheduled to close July 1. The new facility can accommodate up to three FBOs, and two have signed up so far-Sheltair and Regency Air Center.