Our History

A legacy of aviation on Florida’s Space Coast began in the 1920s and continues to shape the region’s role in aerospace and innovation today. The Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority oversees a four-facility system that includes Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX), Arthur Dunn Airpark (X21), Merritt Island Airport (COI), and the emerging Exploration Spaceport.
Arthur Dunn Airpark, the region’s first aviation site, originated in 1927 as a county-leased aircraft landing field supported by early U.S. Airmail Service navigation infrastructure. Named after a local county commissioner who championed its expansion, the airpark evolved through military and mosquito control uses before being transferred to the Airport Authority in 1966. It remains a hub for recreational aviation and skydiving today.

Merritt Island Airport was established in the early 1940s by the Brevard County Mosquito Control District, featuring two sod runways and maintenance facilities. Over time, one runway was decommissioned and the site expanded to include T-hangars and other general aviation facilities. In a land exchange, the airport was deeded to the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority, enabling coordinated growth across the region.

Space Coast Regional Airport was constructed in 1943 by the U.S. Government to support World War II military operations and relieve pressure on nearby bases. Following the war, it was returned to local control and ultimately transferred to the newly created Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority in 1961. Its proximity to Kennedy Space Center positioned it as a strategic asset for transporting NASA personnel and cargo, a role that continues to grow with today’s commercial spaceflight resurgence.

Established by legislation in 1963, the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority is tasked with advancing aviation, aerospace, and economic development throughout the region. Together, its airports and spaceport serve general aviation, corporate operations, flight training, and spaceport development—making Florida’s Space Coast a unique and strategic destination for aviation and aerospace partners.