St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is the primary airport for the Tampa Bay area and the City of St. Petersburg in the State of Florida, United States. It is located in Pinellas County, just 8 miles north of downtown St. Petersburg. The airport is owned by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and operated by the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport Authority.

The airport opened in 1928 as St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport, and was the first public airport in the Tampa Bay area. The original name was chosen to reflect the two cities that the airport served: St. Petersburg and Clearwater. It was also the first airport in the United States to be located on a barrier island.

In 1941, the airport was renamed St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (SPC) to reflect its increasing popularity and international flights. In 1975, the airport was renamed St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport again, this time to include the entire Tampa Bay metropolitan area. The current name, St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport, was adopted in 2014 to reflect the City of St. Petersburg’s influence on the region.

The airport code “PIE” was assigned by the International Air Transport Association in 1978 as an abbreviation for “Pinellas International Airport”.

Today, St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport serves over 1.7 million passengers annually, with over 90 daily flights to over 20 destinations. Airlines that serve the airport include Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

The airport’s facilities include two runway and taxiways, a large terminal building, and a variety of amenities for travelers. There are also multiple rental car companies, ATMs, and a variety of restaurants. The airport also offers a free shuttle service to and from the airport.

St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport is an important part of the Tampa Bay region’s transportation system, providing convenient access to the area’s many attractions. With its modern facilities and amenities, the airport is a great way to enter or depart the Tampa Bay area.