Jacksonville International Airport Facts for Kids

Jacksonville International Airport (often called JAX) is a big airport in northeast Florida. It helps people travel to and from the city of Jacksonville. This airport is about 15 miles north of downtown Jacksonville.

What is Jacksonville International Airport?
- Airport Codes: JAX, KJAX, and JAX
- Where is JAX Located?
History of Jacksonville International Airport
- Building the New Airport
What Happens at the Airport?
- Airport Services
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What is Jacksonville International Airport?

Jacksonville International Airport is the main airport for the Jacksonville area. It is an "international" airport, which means it can handle flights to other countries. However, most flights from JAX are to cities within the United States.

Airport Codes: JAX, KJAX, and JAX

Airports around the world have special codes to identify them.

IATA Code (JAX): This code is used by airlines and travelers. You'll see it on your plane tickets and luggage tags. IATA stands for the International Air Transport Association.
ICAO Code (KJAX): This code is used by air traffic controllers and pilots. It helps them keep track of planes and airports. ICAO stands for the International Civil Aviation Organization.
FAA LID (JAX): This code is used by the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States. It's another way to identify the airport for aviation purposes.

Where is JAX Located?

The airport is located in Duval County, Florida, which is where Jacksonville is. It's in the northern part of the city, making it easy for people from Jacksonville and nearby areas to reach.

History of Jacksonville International Airport

Jacksonville International Airport opened in 1968. Before this, Jacksonville used another airport called Imeson Field. The new airport was built to handle more planes and passengers as air travel became more popular.

Building the New Airport

When it was built, the airport had a main terminal building and two concourses. Concourse C was one of the original parts of the airport. Over the years, the airport has grown and added more gates and services to serve more travelers.

What Happens at the Airport?

Airports like JAX are busy places.

Departures: Passengers check in, go through security, and board their planes.
Arrivals: Planes land, passengers get off, and collect their luggage.
Cargo: Besides people, airports also handle a lot of cargo, like mail and packages.

Airport Services

Jacksonville International Airport offers many services for travelers. These include restaurants, shops, car rental services, and parking. There are also special areas for pilots and airline staff.