Are you aware of renewed Customs and Immigration at Florida’s Marathon Airport?

For the first time since the 1980s, the Florida Keys and Monroe County, Florida, the southernmost county in the state, have a renewed U.S. Customs and Immigration presence at the airport in Marathon. To further punctuate this important development, the facility has changed its name to the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (KMTH/MTH).

Aviation has long been an integral, necessary part of Florida’s economic well-being – from fueling its chief industry of tourism to supporting vital healthcare, welfare, emergency, and safety-related services for residents and guests.

The Florida Keys Marathon International Airport, in the Middle Keys, is located on the gulf side of the City of Marathon on the Overseas Highway (US 1) at mile marker 52, and it blankets 190 acres. The airport was originally built during World War II by the U.S. Navy, and its airstrip was used for bomber training.

The recent upgrade to the airport is a welcome step on multiple levels, as the aviation industry in the U.S. gears up for increased air traffic to and from Cuba. The airport will also be a convenient option for operators entering the U.S. from the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

At present, the facility caters exclusively to business jets, private aircraft, and charters. Additionally, the Monroe County Aviation Authority firmly believes that this airport will serve the overflow traffic from busier South Florida airports very nicely. It is a 2.5-hour drive from Miami International Airport (KMIA/MIA) and a one-hour drive from Key West International Airport (KEYW/EYW).

The new, 4,200-sq.-ft. facility located in the old commercial terminal of the airport was inaugurated on April 20, 2016, and will also house U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the keys and the Everglades. Historically, the keys have been critical terrain in the war against illicit drugs.

Open 24 hours a day, the Marathon airport is a low-to-medium volume facility with no tower. It has a 5,008-ft. runway with 400 feet additional improved displacements with full load capacity on each end. It has two full-service FBOs. Hangars and tie-downs are widely available for general aviation operations with advance notice. Jet-A fuel is available for turbines only from Marathon Jet Center on the West side of the airport while Marathon General Aviation serves piston aircraft on the East side.

The airport has a museum that features aviation artifacts, historic photographs, rare memorabilia and books, and a flight simulator. There is also an on-site full-service maintenance facility that specializes in antique aircraft restorations.

Referred to as the boating and family destination of the Keys, Marathon is made up from numerous keys: Boot, Knights, Hog, Vaca, Crawl, and Little Crawl keys, East and West Sister’s Island, Deer, Fat Deer, Long Pine, and Grassy keys. Settlements of these keys date back to the 1800s when Bahamian fruit farmers and New England fisherman colonized the area. South of Vaca Key is the Seven Mile Bridge, which is one of the longest segmental bridges in the world and functions as a trestle for the Overseas Railroad.

Enjoy your next trip to the Florida Keys!

For more information, contact UAS Americas Ops team in Houston