Saint Pete-Clearwater International (KPIE), Florida
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
St Pete-Clearwater International (KPIE) is a towered, Tier 1 public-use airport on Florida's Gulf coast, roughly 9.91 nautical miles from the St Petersburg-Clearwater metro area. The field offers a 9,730-foot primary runway alongside a 6,000-foot crosswind runway, full Jet A and 100LL fuel service, and onsite CBP inspection with a USDA compliance agreement, making it a practical port of entry for business aviation. According to FAA TFMSC data, cross-border traffic in 2025 totaled 56,237 operations, of which 21,886 were business aviation movements.
Runways
Saint Pete-Clearwater International has two paved runways. The longest, 18/36, is 9,730 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Saint Pete-Clearwater International has Jet A, Jet A1+ and 100 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
Saint Pete-Clearwater International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Saint Pete-Clearwater International recorded 21,886 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in March and April. Business aviation traffic at KPIE is concentrated in the winter and spring months, with March and April as the peak period and a noticeable falloff from June through September.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month March, 2,159 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Saint Pete-Clearwater International averages 23.5 days above 90°F in August and 0.3 freeze days in January. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 90.6°F, and January the coldest, at 70.6°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Saint Pete-Clearwater International has published operating constraints in six categories: access, runway notes, noise procedures, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the FSS frequency, contact Tampa Approach.
Prior permission is required for all transient aircraft requesting to park on the Clearwater USAR military ramp/apron. Aircraft must contact Clearwater Army Support Facility Operations or ASF MacDill up to 7 days before arrival, with a minimum notice of 24 hours before arrival. This applies 1000Z-0300Z Monday through Thursday, or Friday 1000Z-1830Z, excluding holidays and weekends.
When the control tower is closed, activate the MALSR on runway 18, the touchdown zone lights on runway 18, the centerline lights on runway 18/36, the medium intensity runway lights on runway 04/22, the high intensity runway lights on runway 18/36, and the taxiway lights, via CTAF.
A 6-foot fence is located 200 feet before the runway end, 483 feet right of centerline.
The approach obstacle clearance ratio is 34:1 to the threshold.
The approach obstacle clearance ratio is 50:1 to the displaced threshold.
Lights on the highway north of the airport may be mistaken for runway lights.
A noise-sensitive area extends 5 miles north of the airport, widening 1 mile east and west of the localizer, southbound to the shoreline.
Turbojet aircraft landing on runway 18 and departing runway 36 must use the published noise abatement procedure.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 360/F/B/X/T
PCR VALUE: 490/F/A/X/T
Military contract fuel AVOIL O-128 is available.
Banner towing is not authorized.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Saint Pete-Clearwater International has five airfields within 13 NM. The closest is Clearwater Executive (KCLW), 5.64 NM northwest.
Part of the Tampa and St. Petersburg area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KPIE
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 KPIE.
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
What customs procedures apply at KPIE?
St Pete-Clearwater International (KPIE) has CBP inspection services available onsite, along with a USDA compliance agreement. Crews arriving from international points can plan for inspection at the field itself rather than diverting to a separate customs airport. The USDA compliance agreement covers agricultural inspection requirements tied to certain international arrivals. Dispatchers should confirm current CBP hours and any advance notice requirements directly with the inspection office before filing an international arrival. This onsite arrangement is a planning advantage over many nearby fields that lack dedicated customs facilities.
What runways are available at St Pete-Clearwater International?
St Pete-Clearwater International (KPIE) operates two paved asphalt runways. Runway 18/36 is the primary surface at 9,730 feet long and 150 feet wide, supporting the largest business jets operating into the field. Runway 04/22 provides a secondary option at 6,000 feet long, also 150 feet wide. Both runways carry published PCR values for pavement strength planning: 360/F / B/X / T and 490/F / A/X / T. The longer runway's length and width make KPIE suitable for heavy long-range aircraft without runway-length constraints.
Are there noise abatement procedures at KPIE?
Yes, St Pete-Clearwater International (KPIE) has published noise abatement procedures and a defined noise-sensitive area. The sensitive area extends 5 miles north of the airport and 1 mile east and west of the localizer, southbound to the shoreline. Turbojet aircraft are required to use published noise abatement procedures when landing on runway 18 and departing runway 36. Crews should also be aware that lights on the highway north of the airport can be mistaken for runway lighting during night operations. These procedures should be briefed before operating turbojet traffic through the runway 18/36 corridor.
When is business aviation traffic busiest at St Pete-Clearwater International?
Business aviation traffic at St Pete-Clearwater International (KPIE) is concentrated in the winter and spring months, according to FAA TFMSC data covering cross-border traffic in 2025. March and April show the highest monthly volumes, near 2,130 to 2,159 operations, while June through September see the lowest activity, dropping to around 1,480 to 1,590 operations. This pattern reflects a clear seasonal swing rather than steady year-round demand. Dispatchers planning ramp or slot availability at KPIE should anticipate tighter conditions in the first and last quarters of the year.
What obstacle and approach considerations exist at KPIE?
St Pete-Clearwater International (KPIE) has a documented close-in obstruction: a 6-foot fence located 200 feet before the runway end and 483 feet right of centerline. Published approach obstacle clearance ratios are 34:1 to the threshold and 50:1 to the displaced threshold, figures that crews should factor into approach planning on the affected runway. The airport also reports birds on and in the vicinity of the field, a standing wildlife hazard note. These combined factors mean approach briefings at KPIE should account for both fixed obstructions and wildlife activity.