Northwest Florida Beaches International (KECP), Florida
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Northwest Florida Beaches International (KECP) serves the Panama City area with a single 10,000-foot concrete runway capable of handling a wide range of business aircraft. The airport is towered and operates on an all-hours attendance schedule, with both 100LL and Jet A fuel available onsite. Business aviation accounts for a substantial share of the field's annual operations, and the airport sits roughly 21 nautical miles from the metro area it serves.
Runways
Northwest Florida Beaches International has one paved runway, 16/34, 10,000 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Northwest Florida Beaches International has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Northwest Florida Beaches International does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Pensacola International (KPNS), 72 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Northwest Florida Beaches International recorded 27,261 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in May, June and October. Business aviation traffic at KECP concentrates in the spring and early fall, with May, June, July, and October each posting the highest monthly operation counts of the year.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month May, 2,883 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Northwest Florida Beaches International averages 21.4 days above 90°F in July and 6.3 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 90.9°F, and January the coldest, at 63.1°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Northwest Florida Beaches International has published operating constraints in four categories: access, runway notes, environmental and pavement strength.
Military VIP arrivals and departures must be conducted at the airport terminal, with prior approval from airport authorities.
Taxiway J between Taxiway D and Taxilane F is closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 80 feet, except with prior permission for up to one hour. Taxiways K, M, E2, and E3 between Taxiway D and Taxilane F are restricted for aircraft with a wingspan greater than 80 feet.
When the control tower is closed, pilots may activate the following via CTAF: MALSR for runway 16, REIL for runway 34, touchdown zone lighting for runway 16, centerline lighting for runway 16/34, PAPI for runway 16 and runway 34, and high-intensity runway lights for runway 16/34.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 690/R/B/W/T
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Northwest Florida Beaches International has five airfields within 39 NM. The closest is Tyndall AFB (KPAM), 20.80 NM southeast.
Part of the Panama City and Destin area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KECP
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KECP.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Is there customs clearance at KECP?
Northwest Florida Beaches International does not have onsite customs clearance. The nearest customs facility is at KPNS, located approximately 72 nautical miles away. Operators arriving internationally should plan to clear customs at KPNS before or after their KECP leg, since this airport itself has no listed customs option. Fuel is confirmed available at KECP as both 100LL and Jet A. Coordinate customs arrangements well ahead of any international arrival given the distance to the nearest facility.
What is the runway length available at KECP?
Northwest Florida Beaches International operates a single runway, 16/34, measuring 10,000 feet long and 150 feet wide with a concrete surface. This is also the airport's maximum paved runway length, matching the field's overall published max_paved_ft figure. The single-runway configuration means all arrivals and departures use this one strip regardless of wind conditions. At 150 feet wide, the runway offers ample margin for large business jets and other high-performance aircraft. This length and surface combination supports a wide range of aircraft categories operating into KECP.
Are there taxiway restrictions for wide-wingspan aircraft at KECP?
Yes, Northwest Florida Beaches International restricts taxiway access for aircraft with a wingspan greater than 80 feet. Taxiway J between Taxiway D and Taxilane F is closed to such aircraft, except with prior permission and within a one-hour window. Taxiways K, M, E2, and E3 between Taxiway D and Taxilane F are also restricted for aircraft exceeding the 80-foot wingspan threshold. Dispatchers planning large-cabin or heavy aircraft movements at KECP should confirm routing with airport authorities ahead of arrival. These restrictions apply specifically to ground movement, not to runway operations.
What lighting is available at KECP when the tower is closed?
When the control tower at Northwest Florida Beaches International is closed, pilots can activate several lighting systems via CTAF. Available systems include MALSR for runway 16, REIL for runway 34, touchdown zone lighting for runway 16, centerline lighting for runway 16/34, PAPI for both runway 16 and runway 34, and high-intensity runway lights for runway 16/34. This pilot-controlled lighting setup allows continued operations outside staffed tower hours. Dispatchers should brief crews on CTAF activation procedures before after-hours arrivals or departures at KECP.
When is business aviation traffic busiest at KECP?
Business aviation traffic at Northwest Florida Beaches International is concentrated in the spring and early fall months. Based on 2025 FAA TFMSC data, May, June, July, and October each recorded business aviation operations above 2,800, with May reaching 2,883 and October reaching 2,858. Winter months are noticeably quieter, with January recording 1,546 operations and December recording 1,795. Dispatchers planning trips into KECP during peak months should anticipate higher traffic volumes and potential scheduling considerations at the ramp and on approach.