PIE Airport Overview: Terminals, Runways & Airlines Serving Tampa Bay

St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport, also known by the IATA code (PIE), is a public airport plus a military one located in Pinellas County, Florida. PIE serves the Tampa Bay region as a convenient alternative to Tampa International Airport (TPA), offering travelers a smaller, stress-free option.

The airport's location is just about 9 miles north of downtown St. Petersburg, around 7 miles southeast of Clearwater, and almost 17 miles southwest of Tampa. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies it as a small-hub primary commercial airport catering to both commercial passengers and private aviation.

Quick Facts About St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE)

• Airport Codes: IATA – PIE, ICAO – KPIE, FAA LID – PIE

• Location: Pinellas County, Florida

• Main Airline: Allegiant Air

• Runways: 18/36 (9,730 ft), 04/22 (6,000 ft)

• Type: Public/Military

• Elevation: 11 ft (3 m)

• Area: 1,900 acres

• Opened: 1941 (as Pinellas Army Airfield)

Overview Of PIE Airport 

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport uses the slogan "Tampa Bay The Easy Way," which is what the airport really offers—easy and no-stress flying.
Also, the airport has a presence of Allegiant Air, a low-cost airline, which flies to a number of destinations in the eastern United States.

And while most of the region's commercial flights are managed through the Tampa International Airport, PIE still holds its ground and is always preferred by those travelers who are after cheap tickets, the shortest of lines, and quick access to the Gulf Coast beaches of Florida.

Distances from PIE to Other Airports

A table listing distance and travel time for the closest airports and bases from PIE:

A Proud History of Aviation

The airport's terminal proudly displays a replica of the Benoist XIV aircraft that was used by Tony Jannus. Besides, the terminal also keeps the archival material of the Florida Aviation Historical Society.

From Wartime Airfield to Modern Airport

The development of the airport property commenced in the year 1941, but subsequently, the U.S. Army Air Forces seized control of it after the incident at Pearl Harbor. Throughout the duration of World War II, the airport, which was at that time called Pinellas Army Airfield, was a place where fighter pilots were trained and anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico were supported.

After the war years, the airport was once again made available for the general public and given the name Pinellas International Airport. In 1958, it officially took on the name St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport (PIE)—a moniker that made it very easy for tourists to find it on the map.

Airline Growth Over the Decades

The period from the 1950s to the 1980s saw the presence of some important airlines at PIE, such as Delta, Eastern, and Northwest. The entry of the jet age led to a mass influx of the major airlines and their flights being solely at Tampa International, but small and regional carriers continued serving PIE.

New airlines of the 1990s and early 2000s, such as American Trans Air, People Express, and Air South, among others, who added routes, contributed to the growth of PIE. Presently, Allegiant Air operates at the airport as the principal airline connecting St. Petersburg and Clearwater to over 50 cities in the U.S. with its use of Airbus A319 and A320 jet planes.

Terminals and Passenger Facilities

PIE Airport has one main terminal that is segregated into two gate zones:

• A-Side (Gates 1–6)

• B-Side (Gates 7–12)

Gates 1 and 12 are exclusively for the arrivals of passengers. The baggage claim area is really fast and efficient, with four baggage carousels in it.

Military and Federal Presence

Military and governmental activities frequently occur at Saint Petersburg Clearwater International Airport (PIE) facilities. For example, the Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater is the largest and busiest in the U.S. and is located in PIE.

Moreover, the U.S. Army reserves have aviation units there that handle the Black Hawk helicopters, and the FAA operates its air traffic control tower, together with its flight service station (which is one of the busiest in the U.S.), on the airport’s premises.

Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection's services are located at the airport.

Amidst all these organizations is a foreign trade zone occupying part of the airport's land and a massive airport industrial park that alone employs at least 3,000 people and brings in more than $400 million yearly to the local economy. (The bolded text is from Wikipedia.)

Airport Size and Operations

St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport encompasses 1,900 acres of land and has two runways:

• Runway 18/36: 9,730 feet long

• Runway 04/22: 6,000 feet long

In 2022, PIE handled over 146,000 aircraft operations, averaging more than 400 daily movements, including commercial, private, and military flights. These operations consisted of commercial, private, and military flights, depicting the versatility and the growing importance of the PIE airport.

Community and Special Events

Moreover, PIE is the home for the Honor Flight of West Central Florida, which flies veterans to Washington, D.C. every year as part of their visit to war memorials. Men and women serving in the U.S. are honored through this special program that usually carries between 75 and 80 veterans annually.

Conclusion

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is an excellent option when the traveler would prefer a relaxing, non-complicated, and low-cost experience during the flight. Having a rich history, modern facilities, and a strong reputation. The airport’s combination of commercial, military, and community life makes it significant and friendly; indeed, in its slogan, it has the correct slogan, which is "Tampa Bay: The Easy Way."