Southern Sky Aviation

Southern Sky Aviation opened its Panama City Beach FBO in April 2024, bringing a brand-new $25 million facility to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. This is the company's second FBO location and its first custom-built operation, designed from the ground up for the private aviation market.

The facility includes an 11,000-square-foot terminal building, over 64,000 square feet of hangar space, and 11 acres of new ramp area. Inside the terminal, passengers find showers, a quiet room for resting, and a large relaxation area. New Jeep Wranglers serve as crew cars, matching the casual beach-town vibe of the destination. Southern Sky also hosts a Part 145 repair station with avionics installation and aircraft interior work capabilities, providing maintenance services that most FBOs in vacation markets do not offer.

The investment created over 20 jobs and added a second FBO option at an airport that had been served exclusively by Sheltair. Competition between the two facilities benefits charter passengers through better service and more competitive pricing.

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport sits along the Gulf Coast with a 10,000-foot runway that accommodates the full range of business aircraft. The airport serves Panama City Beach, Destin, Rosemary Beach, and the growing 30A luxury community corridor. Spring break, summer beach season, and fall weekends drive the highest traffic volumes.

For charter passengers, Southern Sky Aviation offers the appeal of a brand-new facility with no legacy infrastructure limitations. Everything from the ramp surfacing to the terminal finishes is current and well-maintained. The combination of a fresh physical plant, on-site maintenance capability, and a competitive service approach makes Southern Sky a strong option for private aviation travelers arriving on the Emerald Coast.