Gulf Shores Airport Booms, Expansion Planned

0:00It's March 2nd, here's your Birmingham news in two minutes. Gulf Shore's International Airport, Nalabama, is off to a strong start since opening last May. Served mainly by Elegant Airlines, it kicked off with seven direct flights and quickly grew to 13 destinations. The airport handled over 76,000 passengers in its partial first year and expects to top 150,000 by the end of that period. Now it runs about 30 flights a week, drawing tours to the area's famous White Sand beaches. Earlier this year, the airport added a kiosk with food and souvenirs from a nearby hotspot. Officials are pushing forward with a $15 million expansion to add gates, bigger baggage claim, and better road access. Groundbreaking is set for June with completion by May of 2027. This upgrade will handle two big jets at once and include new concessions and an outdoor patio. Local leaders say the flights are tapping into drive markets like Kansas City and St. Louis, which were popular road trips before.

1:03Passengers surveys show 43% are first time visitors to the beaches and 80% plan to return more often than usual. That means fresh faces and repeat business boosting the local economy. Recent numbers look solid too, with around 16,000 passengers in the first two months of this year. Year-round routes hold steady, while summer standouts like Kansas City led the pack last season. New seasonal service to places like Huntsville, Springfield, Louisville, Omaha, and Oklahoma City starts May 20th and runs through August. 18th, with two to three flights a week each. Airport Director Jesse Fasna is upbeat about more routes coming in 2026, especially with allegiance merger adding options. Everything lines up with the expansion, keeping momentum high for this gateway to Alabama's coast. Support for this episode comes from our sponsor. See the description. Some chase peace. I put my head in it. S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com