FBMA terminal gaining national attention

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
June 24, 2018 1:00 p.m.

The Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport is poised to take a great leap forward with the addition of a uniquely designed terminal/welcome center and a new Fixed Base Operator (FBO). The widely circulated aviation magazine Airport Improvementfeatures the new Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport on the cover of its June-July 2018 issue.  The story, entitled “Fernandina Beach Municipal Opts for Airplane-Shaped Terminal Concept,” details the project from inspiration and conception to execution. The four-page spread includes interviews with Airport Manager Nathan Coyle, FBO President Brian Echard and representatives of Passero Associates engineers.

During 2017, the airport recorded 47,000 aircraft operations.

The 12,500 square foot terminal replaces a dilapidated metal hangar that formerly housed the FBO and an equally “historic” trailer that served as the office for the city’s airport management personnel.

The magazine article lays out funding for the project as well as explaining that the structure was built to withstand Category 4 Hurricane winds.  The structure is not meant to serve as a hurricane shelter; but it can serve as an emergency operations structure during hurricane recovery operations.

The airport continues to draw more visitors and activities, the volume of which is anticipated to increase following the terminal’s completion and occupancy this summer.  The city reported a recent wedding held in an airport hangar, and major companies are looking to use the airport’s services soon.