March 2026 Luncheon

What's Up at the Vero Beach Regional Airport?

Brandon Bambeck, Operations Manager for Vero Beach Regional Airport gave a presentation on the history of the airport from its beginning until today.

Vero Beach Regional Airport, established in 1929, has evolved from a small municipal airfield to a key regional airport with significant military and commercial history. It is the fourth busiest airport in the state of Florida.

In 1942, the U.S. Navy selected the airport for a naval air station, purchasing 1,500 surrounding acres and commissioning it as Naval Air Station Vero Beach. Initially, the base trained Naval Aviators. In 1944, the mission shifted to night fighter training with auxiliary airfields including Witham Field in Stuart, Sebastian/Roseland and Fort Pierce.

After World War II, the airport returned to civilian use and continued to serve as a hub forEastern Air Lines, which operated aircraft through the 1940s to 1972. The airport also became the home of Piper Aircraft, further cementing its role in aviation manufacturing and regional air travel.

Elite Airlines provided service primarily to the northeast for several years. Most recently Breeze Airlines, Jet Blue and American Airlines are providing service primarily to the northeast.

The addition of more flights in and out of Vero Beach has necessitated the upgrade of the terminal and parking facilities which are currently underway.