Airports Serving Nassau County, Florida
Nassau County, located at Florida's northeastern tip bordering Georgia, is home to approximately 95,000 residents with Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island as the county seat and primary community. The county's position immediately north of Jacksonville gives residents exceptionally convenient access to Jacksonville International Airport, one of the region's most capable commercial facilities. Nassau County's proximity to this major airport — combined with its growing population as a Jacksonville suburb — makes it one of the best-connected rural-suburban counties for air travel in northeast Florida.
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) — Primary Airport
Jacksonville International Airport is Nassau County's clear primary commercial airport, located approximately 25-30 miles south of Fernandina Beach. The drive takes about 30-40 minutes via I-95 South and I-295, making it one of the most convenient airport connections for any Florida county. JAX handled approximately 8 million passengers in 2024 with service from nine airlines: Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Breeze Airways. The airport provides nonstop flights to roughly 40 destinations including Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Denver, New York, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Houston, Nashville, and numerous other major cities. Southwest Airlines is the dominant carrier at JAX, offering its popular flexible booking policies and free checked bags.
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) — Northern Alternative
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia is approximately 85 miles north of Fernandina Beach, requiring about 1 hour and 20 minutes via I-95 North. SAV has experienced significant growth in recent years, surpassing 3 million annual passengers with service from Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United. SAV's route network overlaps substantially with JAX but occasionally offers better fares or nonstop routes to destinations not served from Jacksonville. For Nassau County residents in the northern part of the county near the Georgia border, SAV may be roughly equidistant with JAX.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) — Maximum Network
Orlando International Airport sits approximately 180 miles south of Fernandina Beach, about a 2-hour-and-40-minute drive via I-95 South and I-295 to I-95 South. MCO's scale — over 58 million passengers and 150-plus nonstop destinations — makes it worth considering for specific situations where JAX doesn't offer a convenient route or where MCO's competitive pricing yields substantial savings. International travel is MCO's strongest differentiator, with extensive service to Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean that exceeds JAX's international offerings.
Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport
Nassau County is home to Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport (FHB) on Amelia Island, a general aviation facility with a 5,000-foot paved runway. The airport serves private pilots, charter flights, and corporate aviation visiting Amelia Island's luxury resorts and golf communities. During major events like the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance car show in March, the airport sees notable increases in private aircraft traffic. FHB provides convenient access for visitors who prefer to fly privately to this upscale island destination without driving from Jacksonville.
Nassau County's Air Travel Advantage
Nassau County residents enjoy one of the strongest airport proximity advantages in northeast Florida. The 30-40 minute drive to JAX compares favorably with many suburban communities nationwide. JAX's nine-airline competitive market helps keep fares reasonable, and the airport's manageable size (compared to mega-hubs like Atlanta or Orlando) means shorter security lines and less stressful navigation. The airport's ongoing terminal modernization project is adding gates, improving passenger amenities, and positioning JAX for continued growth that will benefit Nassau County travelers for years to come.
JAX Terminal Modernization and Future Growth
Jacksonville International Airport is undergoing a significant terminal modernization project that will directly benefit Nassau County travelers in coming years. The JAX2025+ program includes concourse expansions, additional gates, improved passenger amenities, modernized security screening, and enhanced dining and retail options. The airport authority has also invested in improved roadway access and parking infrastructure to handle projected passenger growth. These improvements are driven by JAX's steady passenger increases — the airport has added multiple new airlines and routes in recent years, including Breeze Airways and expanded Spirit and Frontier service. For Nassau County residents, this growth means more destination choices, greater airline competition keeping fares reasonable, and an improved overall travel experience from their already conveniently located primary airport.
Amelia Island Tourism and Airport Access
Nassau County's tourism industry, centered on Amelia Island's luxury resorts, championship golf courses, and historic Fernandina Beach, depends heavily on air access through JAX. Visitors arriving at Jacksonville International can reach Amelia Island in approximately 40 minutes, making JAX the recommended arrival airport for tourism marketing efforts. During major events like the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance automotive show in March and the Shrimp Festival in May, both JAX and Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport see increased traffic. The county's tourism economy benefits directly from JAX's expanding route network, as each new nonstop destination from JAX represents a potential new visitor market for Nassau County's hospitality industry.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major Florida Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Nassau County, Florida.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 0 Regional Airport in Nassau County, Florida.
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 1 Municipal Airport in Nassau County, Florida.
Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport
Local Airports
There are 2 Local Airport in Nassau County, Florida.
Hilliard Airport
Flying
Airports in near by County
Nassau County's proximity to Jacksonville International Airport provides residents with convenient, comprehensive air travel access that many communities envy. JAX's nine-airline market, 40 nonstop destinations, and ongoing modernization make it a strong home airport. Savannah/Hilton Head International offers a useful northern alternative, and Orlando International provides maximum network reach for those rare trips that JAX can't efficiently serve. Nassau County travelers are well-positioned to take advantage of competitive pricing across these options.
Nassau County's appeal as an upscale residential destination — anchored by Amelia Island's resort communities and Fernandina Beach's charming historic district — means the county attracts residents who travel frequently for both business and leisure. JAX's nine-airline competitive market keeps fares reasonable, and the short drive time means Nassau County residents spend less time in transit and more time at their destinations compared to many Florida communities that face hour-plus airport drives.