AOPA has an excellent write up about the of general aviation (GA) access to the new North West Beaches International Airport that is replacing Panama City Airport. The GA FBO is far behind schedule for completion and underfunded. The current PC Airport is behind shut down and no longer sells fuel or has maintenance facilities.
“For the past 10 years, we have received numerous commitments from the airport authority that general aviation operators would be completely accommodated at the new airport,” said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of local airport advocacy, noting that GA accounted for more than 80 percent of the operations at the previous airport. “That simply isn’t happening.”
Panama City is in the heart of GA country. Training and a seasonal fliers from around the world descend on Florida to fly in the winters and throughout the year.