Charlotte County airport celebrates new operations, fueling and event space

Punta Gorda Airport recently held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for its new PGD Air Center.

The newly constructed, 13,500-square-foot center is on the north side of Punta Gorda Airport, at 27450 Challenger Blvd., just east of the 600-series T-Hangars in the PGD AviEx development area. The PGD Air Center houses FBO operations, aircraft fueling, meeting and event space, pilot lounge and amenities, office suites, and aircraft parking on a 510,000-square-foot ramp, according to a statement.

At the ribbon-cutting, airport CEO James W. Parish welcomed and introduced guests, followed by remarks from the Florida Department of Transportation District 1 Secretary L.K. Nandam, with closing remarks from Charlotte County Airport Authority Chair Robert Hancik. 

A Rosati’s Pizza franchise is slated to open at the new PGD Air Center in spring 2023. In addition to Rosati’s national menu, it is planning to offer breakfast, flight catering and event catering. The runway-front restaurant will be open to the public with outstanding aircraft views.

Meanwhile, the following seven aviation-related business occupy the center’s office suites: Paragon Flight Training Co; Jet Access Flight Training; Southwind Aviation Aircraft Sales & Brokerage; Southwest Aero Tech; Sarasota Helicopter Tours & Flight Training; Harborside Aviation; and LPC Aviation Inc.

Michael Baker International designed the air center, and Johnson-Lauz Construction built the facility. Ajax Paving Industries constructed the associated ramp, taxi lanes and taxiways.