Jacksonville International Airport Photo Gallery

Jacksonville International Airport attracts a diverse passenger profile, including leisure travelers to Florida beaches (about 60% of traffic), business visitors from logistics and military sectors (near NAS Jacksonville), and connecting passengers via hubs like Atlanta. In 2024, total enplanements exceeded 3.8 million, with year-over-year growth of 2.8%, reflecting robust demand. Footfall metrics show peak seasons in summer and holidays, with average daily passengers around 20,800. High accessibility via major highways and public transit enhances capture rates, but competition from larger hubs like Orlando International may divert some long-haul traffic. This demographic supports retail in convenience, travel essentials, and local souvenirs, with average spend per passenger estimated at $10-15 on concessions based on industry benchmarks.

The current tenant mix at JAX includes national brands like Hudson News for convenience items, duty-free options limited to international flights, and local eateries emphasizing Jacksonville flavors. Upcoming Concourse B additions strengthen the mix with family-oriented quick-service dining and boutique retail highlighting regional culture, aiming to boost dwell time and sales. Occupancy stands at over 90% for prime spaces, but new entries increase intra-airport competition, particularly in fast-casual food categories where saturation risks diluting market share. External competition from downtown Jacksonville malls and beachfront outlets poses challenges for non-exclusive airport products, though the captive environment provides a unique advantage with minimal access issues.

Leasing at JAX typically involves 15-year terms with a minimum annual guarantee (MAG) as the base rent, supplemented by percentage rent on gross sales (often 10-15%), reflecting airport retail norms without public PSF data available. Advantages include stable long-term occupancy and marketing support from the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. Drawbacks encompass high operational costs from security compliance, potential infrastructure disruptions during expansions, and vulnerability to air traffic volatility—such as fuel price hikes or economic downturns reducing discretionary spending. Aging facilities in Concourse A may require tenant investments in fit-outs, while market saturation in weak categories like general merchandise could pressure performance amid broader retail shifts toward e-commerce.