COVID-19 Airport Status Updates

March 13, 2020 - November 20, 2020

Update June 30, 2020 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Badging Update

As of Wednesday July 1, 2020 the Airport Badging Office will resume normal classes on Mondays at 1:00pm and Wednesdays 9:00am. If you are unable to attend either of these days and times please contact the Badging Office to request a special appointment. Please note, each class has limited availability that is not to exceed 10 people to maintain social distancing.

Attendees will need to bring their old badge, a completed Security Access Application, required identification media, and payment for any applicable fees. If you do not have all your required documentation and the correct application(s) signed by your signatory, you will be asked to return at a later date/time.

Please e-mail [email protected] or call 863-834-3361 to schedule your badging appointment. Should you have any questions or concerns please call the Airport Administration Office at 863-834-3298.

We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and understanding during these unprecedented times and look forward to seeing you soon.

Update May 14, 2020 - City of Lakeland Return to Work Plan & Screening Protocols

Please see the below information concerning new screening protocols and other requirements for visiting the Airport Administration Office.

Starting Monday May 18, 2020, the City of Lakeland will be implementing their Return to Work Plan & Screening Protocols. All visitors to a City Facility will be required to wear a mask and complete a short health screening prior to entry.

Health screenings will include a contactless temperature check and two questions including: Have you traveled outside of the State of Florida in the last fourteen (14) days; and in the last twelve (12) hours, have you had a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or problems breathing, chills, muscle pain, or new loss of taste or smell?

Visitors who refuse screening, present a temperature above 100.4 degrees, and/or answer “Yes” to either of the two questions will not be allowed inside the Facility. If access is permitted, the visitor’s name, phone number, and date/time of visit will be logged for contact tracing purposes.

Once inside the Facility, social distancing of at least six (6) feet will be used as often as possible. Visitors must keep their masks on and cover both their nose and mouth. The Airport will have a limited number of disposable masks available for visitors, but supplies are not guaranteed. We also ask that everyone continue exercising proper personal hygiene including, washing your hands with soap and water for 20+ seconds and using hand sanitizer.

We encourage all our tenants and users to continue using contactless methods of conducting business with the Airport and where that isn’t possible, please continue scheduling appointments directly with Airport staff.

As stated in the Tenant Memo Coronavirus (COVID-19) Badging Update, sent Monday May 11, 2020 the Airport will be resuming Badging Office operations starting Monday June 1, 2020. We will have scheduled badging classes every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:00am, 10:00am, and 1:00pm throughout June. We are also accommodating special badging appointments for large groups (such as whole companies) and will be reaching out to each company signatory to schedule all employees of the same companies at the same time.

In accordance with the current best practices established by Governor DeSantis’s “Safe.Smart.Step-by-Step” Plan, classes will be limited to ten (10) persons or less. Attendees will be spaced at least six (6) feet apart and classes will be held in the larger restaurant space for further social distancing. If you arrive and the class is full, you will be turned away and asked to schedule an appointment with the Badging Office.

These processes will be reevaluated as the outbreak of COVID-19 and CDC guidelines change. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact the Airport Administration Office at 863-834-3298 during normal business hours or e-mail [email protected]

Update April 3, 2020 - Florida Governor's Executive Order 20-91, Airport Status

Lakeland Linder International Airport remains open for normal operations.

Lakeland Air Traffic Control remains open for normal operations.

Businesses operating at any airport, seaport, or other government facility, including parks and government offices are designated essential businesses by DHS guidelines and Executive Order 20-19 for the State of Florida. These businesses remain open for normal operations.

FBO (Sheltair Aviation) operating hours are reduced to 7am - 7pm however they are still available afterhours at 863-241-6376.

Airport Administration Offices are closed to walk-in visitors, you must have an appointment with Airport Staff.

The Airport Credentialing (Badging) Office is closed except for those persons with Movement Area Driver’s Training per the latest guidelines issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. If your Movement Area Driver’s Training is set to expire or has expired, please call our offices at 863-834-3361 to schedule a special appointment to renew your badge. If you do not have Movement Area Driver’s training and your badge is set to expire in April or May your access was extended through the month of June. Please check with your company signatories for additional information.

Should you have any questions regarding the status of a business at the airport please call them directly prior to traveling to the airport. For a list of business at the airport please visit our tenant directory page at https://www.flylakeland.com/tenant-directory.

For information regarding small business guidance, relief options and additional resources due to coronavirus (COVID-19) please visit the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website at https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources.

Update April 1, 2020 - 2020 SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo Cancelled 

Due to social distancing and other health practices to bring the outbreak of COVID-19 to a hault the 2020 SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo will be unable to proceed as originally planned. SUN 'n FUN will soon have updates on their website at https://flysnf.org/ with complete details for ticket holders and event partners.

We hope to see eveyone again April 13-18, 2021. For additoinal information on how you can continue to support the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) and all of their educational opertunities and STEM-based learning for students please visit their website at https://aceedu.aero/.

Update March 23, 2020 - FBO Operating Hours Reduced

Starting Tuesday March 24th the Fixed Base Operator's operting hours will be reduced to 7am - 7pm until further notice. For assistance after hours please contact Sheltair Aviation's 24/7 On-Call line at 863-241-6376.

Update March 20, 2020 - Terminal Visitor Update

As the response to COVID-19 continues to evolve, the Airport will be enhancing our social distancing practices in accordance with CDC recommendations. Starting Monday March 23rd our Administrative Offices and the Terminal Building will be closed to all visitors without an appointment in an effort to limit face-to-face interactions. In addition, a limited number of airport staff will be present throughout the week with administrative personnel shifting to telecommuting. We encourage you to reach out to our operations (863-834-4911) and facilities (863-834-3275) teams via their respective on call lines as the best way to reach our staff.

Update March 13, 2020 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) and SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo Schedule Update

We know there is a growing concern as the outbreak and impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve.  We want to ensure our tenants and users that we are taking extra steps and precautions to ensure our cleaning efforts are enhanced in all common areas of our facilities. In addition, we are adding hand sanitizing stations throughout our buildings for your use and protection.

As a part of this precaution, and after much discussion, it has been decided to postpone the annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo until May 5th – 10th.  Confirmation of this change will take place on April 17th as we continually monitor the situation and additional information becomes available for a more informed decision.

It is important to recognize the symptoms of COVID-19, which is similar to the common cold or flu.  Symptoms include the following: runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, fever, shortness of breath and feeling generally unwell.  COVID-19 spreads by touch of an infected person or surface and occasionally through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing.

The Florida Department of Health recommends washing your hands frequently and that everyone practice good hygiene by covering coughs and frequently cleaning surfaces such as doorknobs and phones.  Avoid sharing personal household items, such as dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or clothing with other people.

As always, avoid close contact with those who may be sick and if you are sick or feel generally unwell, we encourage you to stay home to prevent the spread of illness.

The City of Lakeland set-up an informational website at http://www.lakelandgov.net/COVID19 with additional public information on COVID-19 and the City's response.

For additional information about the SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo and their announcments on COVID-19 please visit https://www.flysnf.org/