Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
History, Facts and Overview

(Sarasota, Florida - FL, USA)

Dating back to 1939, Sarasota Bradenton Airport began its life when local government and prominent businessmen from the counties of both Sarasota and Manatee decided to combine forces and build a joint airport. A suitable site was chosen in between the counties, covering over 600 acres / 243 hectares. In 1942, Sarasota Bradenton Airport was completed at the cost of around $1 million, being immediately used by the US Army during the war years.

By the 1950s, the airport had started to operate commercially and many improvements were soon made. The runway was extended to around 2,100 meters / 6,890 feet and in 1959, a new passenger terminal opened. Jet-powered aircraft operated by National Airlines arrived in 1965 and immediately raised the status of Sarasota Bradenton Airport. Soon after, further land was purchased, the runway extended further and in 1989, the current terminal was built, greatly improving the amenities provided by the Sarasota Bradenton Airport (SRQ) of today.


The passenger facilities at Sarasota Bradenton Airport include a number of cash machines on the upper and lower levels, a tourist help desk, lost and found, and a mother / baby room. There are several restaurants and bars dotted around the terminal, such as the Budweiser Brewhouse, Fresh Attractions take-away, Gourmet Bean coffee shop, High Tides Deli and Bayfront Restaurant, where seafood is a speciality. Newsagents and Florida gift shops can also be found around Bradenton Airport, including the Parasides Shop.

Just a short walk from the terminal is the rather unexpected John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, which is located along the Bay Shore Road and contains over 10,000 art works of all descriptions, and from all periods. Onsite at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, corporate passengers will find basic conference and business facilities in the terminal. The SRQ Conference Room seats around 20 people and is situated on the ground level of the main concourse.