Kris Hallstrand, Airport Director, Lakeland Linder International Airport

Lakeland Linder International Airport marked a major milestone by bringing back airline service with Avelo Airlines, now serving seven destinations. In an interview with Invest:, Director Kris Hallstrand highlighted the airport’s $1.5 billion economic impact and plans for expansion while prioritizing workforce development and customer experience. “Our success comes down to our people,” she noted.

What were some key achievements for the airport in the past year?

2024 was a great year for the airport. We brought back airline service for the first time in 13 years with Avelo Airlines. They started with one destination on June 13, and now we’re up to seven and growing. We’re also a base for Avelo, meaning they have staff and employees here in Lakeland. That was a major milestone.

The community has been incredibly supportive, which is crucial. Many people think securing an airline is the hardest part, but maintaining air service is even more challenging. Ultra-low-cost carriers need consistent passenger support, so we’ve been focusing on customer service. That’s where we’ll find long-term success.

What sets Lakeland Airport apart?

Location is our biggest advantage. As Tampa and Orlando continue growing toward Lakeland, traffic congestion increases, making our airport a more convenient option. We’ve also seen significant population growth, especially after COVID. Polk County now has 1.3 million people closer to our airport than to Tampa or Orlando. We don’t aim to be like those larger airports — we want to be the best Lakeland can be by providing excellent service to our community.

We’re attracting travelers from all over, from Fort Meade to The Villages and even St. Pete. People choose Lakeland because it’s easy — less traffic, convenient parking, and affordable flights. While every airport experiences occasional complaints, we see about 10 positive stories for every negative one.

Additionally, our economic impact has grown tremendously. At the start of COVID, it was around $500 million. Now, it’s at $1.5 billion, and that doesn’t even include Avelo in the latest study. We’ve also surpassed Tampa in cargo tonnage and are now third in the state. Next, we’re aiming to surpass Orlando. Miami will always be number one, but we’re focused on growing.

A big factor in our success is logistics. We’re right off I-4 and the Polk Parkway, making it easy for companies like Amazon to invest here. That’s driven job creation — our airport supports about 3,000 jobs today. Despite being a city department, we don’t rely on taxpayer dollars. We operate like a business, which gives us financial independence.

How is the airport supporting aviation education and workforce development?

This is one of my biggest passions. Aviation provides opportunity — I’ve seen it firsthand in my own career. That’s why we invest in education programs.

We work closely with the Aerospace Center for Excellence, which operates on our property. Their annual Sun ’n Fun event helps fund aviation education, making a real impact. We also created a program designed to introduce aviation to students who might not otherwise have exposure. Our goal is to inspire them and, ultimately, create pathways to break generational poverty.

For students who may struggle with transportation, we provide Uber and Lyft vouchers to bring them to the airport. The program exposes them to aviation through flights, 3D printing, visits to JetBlue’s flight simulators, and even trips to the Kennedy Space Center. The idea is to spark their passion and show them real career opportunities.

Beyond education, we’re focused on job creation. We’re working on bringing an MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) facility here, which would create 350 high-skill, high-wage jobs. Amazon has already helped create positions for mechanics, ground crews, and cargo operations. We’ve even had graduates of our programs go on to fly for NOAA and Amazon.

It’s all about keeping talented young people in our community by providing opportunities right here in Lakeland.

How is the airport addressing noise concerns and sustainability?

As we grow — with Avelo, Draken , NOAA, and Amazon bringing in larger aircraft — noise naturally increases. We take that seriously. Lakeland Airport has been here since World War II, but the surrounding area has changed. We used to be surrounded by orange groves; now, there are neighborhoods under our flight paths. In response, we’ve worked with Hughes Aerospace to adjust arrivals and departures, shifting them toward the Polk Parkway, where ambient noise is already higher.

It’s important to note that I don’t control flight paths — the FAA and pilots do. However, we’ve invested in these changes to help minimize the impact on residents. Our airspace is complex, squeezed between Tampa and Orlando, so we work closely with their control towers. While I can’t guarantee no flights will go over homes, I can say we’re making improvements. Until vertical takeoff and landing aircraft become mainstream, noise will be a reality. Our focus is on mitigating it as much as possible.

What is your outlook for the aviation industry and the airport’s role in it?

Aviation is strong, especially in Florida. Tourism will always drive air travel, whether it’s for Disney, the beaches, or visiting family. That said, there are challenges. Fuel prices are a major concern. Even a small increase affects airline profitability and ticket prices. This could impact both passenger and cargo operations.

On the positive side, aircraft are becoming more efficient and quieter. Secondary airports like Lakeland are also gaining traction as larger hubs reach capacity. We’re seeing more interest in airports like ours, where travelers can avoid the congestion of major cities.

For Lakeland, space is our next challenge. We need to expand but also protect key assets like the Sun ’n Fun airshow and general aviation. Some developers have suggested reducing our focus on general aviation, but that’s not an option. Small aircraft and flight training are essential to the industry — every pilot starts in a small plane. We’re in a master planning process to expand our terminal and parking. Our focus is on customer service and making the airport as accessible and enjoyable as possible. If I have to choose between adding more gates or maintaining a great customer experience, I’ll choose the experience every time.

Ultimately, our success comes down to our people. Our team of 35 is the driving force behind everything we’ve accomplished. They’re passionate about aviation and dedicated to making Lakeland the best it can be. I might be the one in the office, but they’re the ones making things happen, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.