Airport Overview
Daytona Beach International Airport (KDAB/DAB) is a county-owned, towered airport about 3 miles southwest of downtown Daytona Beach in Volusia County, Florida. Despite handling scheduled airline service, the field is overwhelmingly general-aviation in character: roughly 97 percent of its nearly 300,000 annual movements are GA, and business jets use it as heavily as any field in the state. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's main campus is on-airport, contributing substantial training traffic.
Runway Capability
The primary runway, 7L/25R, stretches 10,500 feet of asphalt, enough for any business jet in service, from light jets through heavy and ultra-long-range types like the Gulfstream G650 and Global 7500 at full fuel. The 6,001-foot 7R/25L and 3,721-foot 16/34 add wind coverage and flexibility for lighter aircraft. With a 34-foot field elevation, performance penalties from density altitude are negligible.
FBOs and Ground Handling
Two full-service business-aviation FBOs operate at KDAB. Sheltair sits at the north end near the Speedway with concierge service, crew cars, rental cars, and conference space. Yelvington Jet Aviation, independent and on-field since 1990, offers transient hangar space up to G550, crew cars, and catering. The Jet Finder coordinates handling, fuel, and ground transport with whichever FBO best fits your aircraft and schedule.
Customs and International Arrivals
KDAB is a designated U.S. Customs user-fee airport, with a Customs and Border Protection facility on the field adjacent to the Sheltair complex. International charter flights can clear inbound directly at Daytona Beach rather than diverting to a larger port of entry. Coordinate CBP arrangements and advance manifest filing through your FBO and The Jet Finder before departure.
Safety and Planning
As a towered, radar-served field, KDAB offers ILS, RNAV (GPS), and VOR approaches with continuous tower attendance. The main weather consideration is convective: warm-season afternoon thunderstorms build rapidly between roughly 14:00 and 18:00 local, so morning departures generally provide the smoothest conditions. There are no weight, noise, slot, or curfew restrictions limiting business-jet operations.
Regional Context
For travelers headed to the Daytona, Ormond Beach, or New Smyrna areas, KDAB is the obvious choice given its 10,500-foot runway, customs, and full FBO services. Spruce Creek (7FL6), Ormond Beach (KOMN), and New Smyrna Beach (KEVB) are nearby GA alternatives for smaller aircraft. Travelers connecting to the broader Central Florida region sometimes weigh Orlando-area fields such as Orlando Executive (ORL) or Sanford (SFB), roughly an hour southwest by car.