Aviation & Aerospace

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. 
 

Alex Price
Director of Business Development

Our Region

5
Int’l Airports
within 75 miles
3
Regional Airports
within the county
2
Spaceports
in the state of Florida
18
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

Featured Project

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

Shaundra Gibbs is exercising her education and training from Polk State College

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.

aviation & aerospace

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

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