Orlando Sanford International Airport
by Kevin Fritz
A product of the Seminole County Public School system and the University of Central Florida, Nicole Guillet, AICP, took the reins of the Orlando Sanford International Airport in August. The new CEO and president is off and running, building on the airport’s status as a major economic engine for the City of Sanford and Seminole County.
“We have a great team, and we are excited to have Nicole’s leadership in place,” says Jennifer Dane, chair of the Sanford Airport Authority board of directors. “She will be great at facilitating relationships with our community partners.”
A Geneva resident who holds a law degree from Stetson University College of Law, Nicole is known by many for her roles with Seminole County government, most recently as Seminole’s county manager.
“I was always a champion for the airport, and I wanted to be part of it,” she says.
Nicole’s number-one priority as CEO is the continued recovery of the airport from the impacts of the pandemic.
“We are seeing progress in passenger traffic,” says Nicole. “This year, we are running 34 percent higher than 2021. If that holds, we will be close to 2019 numbers by the end of the year.”
As the rebound continues, Nicole is excited that new airlines are finding a home at the airport – and new destinations, previously untapped, are expanding.
Allegiant Air recently added new non-stops – in fact, all flights from Sanford are non-stop – to Las Vegas and to Provo, Utah, which is the first ski destination offered from Sanford. The airport also added two Canadian carriers to its roster and finalized a Dominican Republic route to Santo Domingo for early 2023. Negotiations are also underway to add a flight to Madrid, Spain, a first for Central Florida.
As passengers return to Orlando Sanford International Airport, they are finding a fresh new look with 34 percent more square footage and enhanced dining options courtesy of a $72 million renovation completed in 2020.
“All of this is very positive news for the airport,” says Nicole, adding that the facility’s success stems from the hard work of many players. “This is due to the vision of the people who came before me and our partnership with Sanford and Seminole County.”