As passenger airline has drawn little to no interest Lakeland Linder International Airport has switched its expansion focus to cargo.
The city commission voted 5-0 to approve an amendment to Amazon’s airport lease that allows for a new taxiway and two additional 767s flying in and out.
Currently, Amazon, the largest retailer in the world, has up to 24 flights daily in and out of Lakeland. The expansion will add eight flights in and out.
Amazon currently operates an air cargo facility on more than 47 acres of airport property it leases from the city. The company was seeking to lease an additional 10.6 acres to construct improvements adjacent to its existing facilities, including an expanded aircraft parking apron to accommodate the two Boeing 767s, as well as an expanded truck court. In addition, Amazon plans to construct an extension to Taxiway A that will connect to their expanded aircraft parking apron, allowing for safer and more efficient aircraft movements. It also has another option to expand on the contract that lasts for 15 years.