Less is now more when it comes to St. Johns County’s only airport.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has formally approved changing the name of Northeast Florida Regional Airport back to its original, streamlined title: St. Augustine Airport.
The decision, signed into law this week, marks the final step in a local push to simplify the name and better align the facility with the the Old City’s iconic brand.
The governor’s signature was first reported by Jacksonville Today.
Interim Executive Director Courtney Pittman pushed for the change during a January meeting with the St. Johns County legislative delegation, emphasizing the value of clarity and prestige in the airport’s identity.
“By embracing it, we unlock a wealth of marketing potential,” Pittman said. “This decision strengthens the airport’s ties to luxury hotels, boutique accommodations, and elite corporate clients. It also enhances our appeal as a venue for executive retreats, high-end events, and exclusive tourism.”
The name change reverts the facility to its original title before a 2010 legislative vote transformed it to the unwieldy “Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine.”
A partial simplification followed in 2016, but Pittman and others pushed for a complete return to form.
For the airport, the shift is more than cosmetic. Pittman says travelers are routinely confused by the current name — some even mistakenly believe they’ve landed in Jacksonville.
“You would have people get on commercial flights and land here in St. Augustine and think they were in Jacksonville and then they were lost,” Pittman said in January. “Their loved ones would be at the airport to pick them up and that person wasn’t there.”
With the DeSantis administration’s approval, the airport can now move forward with rebranding efforts, updated signage, and promotional materials.
“In a competitive aviation market, separation is essential,” Pittman said. “By adopting a name tied directly to an iconic destination, our airport stands apart as an exclusive entry point to the nation’s oldest city.”
