Treasure Coast International Airport (FPR): Growth, Jets and Fort Pierce Real Estate

Every growing city has one infrastructure project that tells you where it is headed. In Fort Pierce, it may be the airport.

Treasure Coast International Airport, code FPR, sits at 3000 Curtis King Boulevard. It is county owned and sprawls across 3,844 acres. That is a lot of runway real estate. And it is getting busier.

A Short History With a Plot Twist

The airport traces its roots to 1921, when the local Commercial Club built an airfield in Fort Pierce. During World War II the Navy used the current site for carrier landing practice. Later came an air taxi service, DayJet, which suspended operations in 2008.

Commercial passenger flights have come and gone. Fly the Whale launched service to Tallahassee in January 2018 and left in September of that year. Fort Pierce has been waiting for a sequel ever since.

The Big Milestone: FAA Part 139 Certification

St. Lucie County began the commercial service process in April 2023. The airport received its FAA Part 139 certification in October 2024. In plain English, that certificate is the key that lets the airport host scheduled commercial airlines.

The county has since added terminal seating and Transportation Security Administration equipment. The airport also has an on-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection office and sits inside Foreign Trade Zone 218.

Where Commercial Service Stands

Here is the honest status. In late 2025, a county commissioner said two airline announcements could be weeks away. One airline would fly regularly to the northeast. A second would likely fly to the Bahamas. County staff said in October 2025 that they were still negotiating with several airlines while finishing terminal work.

As of this writing, I could not confirm a scheduled airline launch from FPR. Check the St. Lucie County airport page for the latest announcements before you plan travel or make a purchase decision based on flights.

Next door, Vero Beach Regional Airport has had Breeze Airways service since early 2023. Fort Pierce would be the second coastal airport between Melbourne and West Palm Beach to offer airline service.

The Business Aviation Boom

The real growth story today is private and corporate aviation. APP Jet Center broke ground on an expansion and renovation of its fixed base operation on February 8, 2024. It announced the grand opening of the remodeled facility on February 12, 2026. The company says South Florida's congested commercial airports make executive airports like FPR attractive to business travelers.

The county has also built out the airfield. A $7.3 million, 28,500 square foot hangar was funded jointly by the Florida Department of Transportation, a federal Economic Development Administration grant and St. Lucie County. The county has also sought a developer for a hotel and amenities on a 20-acre parcel at the airport entrance.

The airport and its business park have been cited as generating more than $155 million in annual economic activity.

What It Means for Real Estate

Hangars, maintenance facilities and business park parcels create demand for commercial and industrial property nearby. Aviation maintenance, flight training and hospitality jobs bring households that need places to live. For buyers who fly often, a short drive to a local airport is a real lifestyle perk — and if airline service arrives, expect that perk to be marketed hard.

The flip side: homes near an active airport can experience aircraft noise. Visit at different times of day before you make an offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

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