By Justine Griffin for the Herald-Tribune
Renovations to expand the U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport are set to begin next month in what officials hope will be the next step of several to attract international air carriers to Southwest Florida.
As sports venues like Nathan Benderson Park and the IMG Academy in Bradenton continue to attract more international sporting events to the region, airport officials are attempting to keep up with the expected influx of visitors from overseas by updating airport facilities to accommodate international planes and passengers.
“We want to be in sync with venues like Benderson Park and IMG as they grow over the years,” said Fredrick “Rick” Piccolo, Sarasota-Bradenton’s chief executive. “There’s no guarantee that if we make these improvements that an international carrier will come, but if we don’t do it, they definitely will not come.”
In 2001, the airport spent roughly $15 million, much of it federal money, to extend the airport’s main runway to accommodate larger, internationally based aircraft. Expanding the customs operation is the next step in solidifying preparations for international traffic.
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Related: SRQ hopes to add direct flight from Baltimore
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport officials are hoping they can provide enough incentives to persuade air carriers to offer flight service to and from the Baltimore area for the spring training season next year.
They spoke about incentive packages, which could include up to $500,000 for advertising new flight routes and waiving landing fees for a carrier, at a Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority meeting on Monday.