TAKE OFF IN POLK COUNTY
With an eye to the sky, Polk offers proximity to major infrastructure access points including the Orlando International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Lakeland Linder International Airport and three regional airports within the County propelling our competitiveness in aviation and aerospace – meaning expertise and efficiencies for companies looking to grow.
With close to 700 total aircraft operations a day, offering all the advantages of metro airports, without the heavy traffic and high costs of major metro areas, Polk County’s aviation sector is soaring.
Our Region
Int’l Airports
within 75 miles
Regional Airports
within the county
Spaceports
in the state of Florida
Flight Academies
in the state of Florida
Take Your Business to New Heights
Polk County has three general aviation airports in Bartow, Winter Haven, and Lake Wales and an international airport in Lakeland. All provide a full range of corporate and private aviation services, and several are also connected to rail spurs and industrial parks. Polk County is also within 60 miles of both Tampa International Airport, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and Orlando International airport.
Lakeland Linder International Airport
Bartow Executive Airport
Winter Haven Regional Airport
Lake Wales Municipal Airport
Lakeland Linder International Airport & Avelo Airlines bring commercial air to Polk County
Avelo now has 8 flight paths in and out of LAL. Travelers can fly low cost all up the east coast and even to Puerto Rico, right from Polk County.
Featured Employers
Amazon Builds its Largest Air Hub in the Southeast
Amazon is constructing a sorting facility that will be connected to Lakeland Linder International Airport with a ground service equipment warehouse that will house maintenance, storage and service.
Leading Education Programs
Central Florida Aerospace Academy
CFAA is a unique high school that offers specific aeronautical instruction including flight training, aircraft maintenance and avionics. CFAA also supports an FAA Part 147 Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic course to help students earn FAA certification as Aviation Maintenance Technicians.
Polk State College
Polk State offers an A.S. in Professional Pilot Science, A.S. in Aerospace Administration and a B.S. in Aerospace Sciences. Students can earn additional certifications as Certified Flight Instructors, Certified Instrument Flight Instructors and/or Certified Multi-Engine Flight Instructors.
Southeastern University
Southeastern University offers affordable and accessible degrees that prepare professional pilots. In this program, students will earn their Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi-Engine Rating, Flight Instructor Certificate, and AAS degree in Professional Pilot.
Traviss Technical College
Offering both high school and adult vocational training, Traviss has programs in Avionics and Airframe Mechanics. Students can earn a FAA certification as Aviation Maintenance Technicians.
Student Success
Polk State grad shares how Aerospace Program puts exciting careers within reach
Polk State College grad Shaundra Gibbs is a flight operations coordinator for Aero Air Charter in Pensacola, where she is exercising her education and training from both Polk State Aerospace’s aircraft dispatcher certification and aerospace administration degree programs.
In the News
Gene Conrad, Leader in Aviation, Transitions Out of Role as CFDC Chair
October 23, 2024
Lakeland Linder International Airport Moves Up to No.3 in Florida for Cargo Operations
September 20, 2024
NOAA Vice Admiral Hann, Overseer of the Hurricane Hunters, to speak at CFDC Annual Meeting
September 18, 2024
Educational Opportunities Abound for Careers in Polk Aviation
August 22, 2024
Polk County Has the Assets to Support a Growing Aviation/Aerospace Industry
August 20, 2024
Aviation Thriving in Polk County on National Aviation Day, Bright Future Ahead
August 19, 2024
Avelo Airlines Will Fly to Seven New Locations, Ramping Up Service in Polk County
August 12, 2024
SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In Highlights Women in Aviation
April 1, 2024
50th Anniversary Fly-In Celebrates Future of Flight
Aviation in Polk is Soaring
March 29, 2024
New Aviation Academy Opens at Winter Haven High School
May 3, 2023
Goal of Attending the MROS Americas Conference: Finding MRO Operations to Locate in Polk County
April 17, 2023
Local Airports Update Master Plans, Grow to Serve Polk County
October 14, 2022
Aviation, Aerospace Increasing Their Impact on Polk County’s Economy
August 22, 2022
Farnborough Air Show: Attracting Aviation and Aerospace Companies
June 28, 2022
New Lakeland Incubator Provides Space to Innovate Aviation and Logistics
June 17, 2022
Local Colleges Providing Pipeline of Aviation Talent
August 18, 2021
Aviation Industry Continues Flying High in Polk County
Lakeland Linder Airport: A Leader in Aviation
June 5, 2019
Business Development Team