b'60 VDFGENERAL AVIATIONTampa Executive Hones Airfieldfor Larger General Aviation AircraftBY KRISTIN V. SHAWWith three active flight schoolsChief DevelopmentLocated at the intersections of two major and more than 100,000 annualOfficer Smithainterstates near key regional assets like the operations, Tampa Executive AirportRadhakrishnan headsFlorida State Fairgrounds and the Seminole (VDF) plays a vital role in the regions aviationthe airports PlanningHard Rock Hotel and Casino, VDF is network and helps relieve congestion forand Developmentat the center of regional business and nearby Tampa International Airport (TPA).Department, whichgeneral aviation activity. The airports local Located only 15 minutes from the heart ofsupported theeconomic impact is estimated at $434 downtown Tampa, FL, it accommodatesconstruction projects.SMITHA RADHAKRISHNAN million, and not surprisingly, its trajectory is general aviation aircraft as large as GulfstreamThe on-time, on- closely tied to its large commercial sibling. G800s and the Bombardier Global Express,budget completion was led by SeniorPassenger traffic at TPA continues to which helps TPA handle more commercialConstruction Project Manager Chrisincrease, commensurate with growth in the volume. VDFs two runways are critical forRhodes and Senior Project Director Rynelocal metropolitan area. As one of Floridas ensuring air traffic flow and supporting bothBridges.four large hub airports, TPA served about economic growth and operational resilienceThese upgrades enhance VDFs mission25 million passengers in 2024. However, for the Tampa Bay community and broaderas a reliever airport for our region and arethat number is expected to swell to nearly West Central Florida region.an important investment in the facilities that35 million annual passengers by 2037, In October, the airport finalized punchthe Hillsborough County Aviation Authorityaccording to the airports Master Plan. list items for the last phase of a $34 million,provide for our regions private pilots, flightThat growth has helped attract significant multi-year airfield pavement rehabilitationschools and other business partners, saysprivate investment in infrastructure at VDF, project that started in 2020. The workRadhakrishnan.reflecting the regions strong business began with reconstructing its primaryIn addition to owning and operating VDFclimate and the airports growing role within runway, 5-23, and connecting taxiways,and TPA, Hillsborough County Aviationthe Tampa Bay aviation network. Recent and then moved on to upgrade multipleAuthority also owns and operates Peter O.milestones include the completion of an other taxiways to better accommodateKnight Airport (TPF) and Plant City Airport11,954-square-foot hangar by Skyport large general aviation aircraft. The work(PCM), two other general aviation facilities.Aviation in 2023 and an 11,200-square-foot concluded with the rehabilitation of RunwayCollectively, the airfields are increasinglyfacility by J.T. Keiser, LLC, in 2024, with three 18-36, Apron C and associated taxiways. busy, pushing VDF to grow. additional hangars now under construction.November | December 2025AirportImprovement.com'