With over 500,000 of the 6.6 million visitors a year arriving by air, the Gulf Shores Airport Authority voted to initiate funding and begin engineering of Phase I of its new commercial airline terminal at their regular monthly meeting Aug. 26. The terminal will be located on the airports’ new commercial apron which was built to accommodate up to B-737 class aircraft. Though Phase I will provide for only two to three gate positions, the apron is configured to handle up to six positions at the same time. Areas are reserved for future expansion that will accommodate commercial air service needs for the next twenty years.
Scott Fuller, airport manager, stated “Concurrently with the terminal project, the City of Gulf Shores is expending $1.2 million to expand the terminal roadway linking it to the new waterway entertainment district adjacent to the airport on the Intracoastal Waterway”.
This September, the Alabama Department of Transportation is expected to release for bid the new Beach Expressway spur and new Intracoastal Bridge which will provide new access to the airport’s east side, which will greatly enhance access to the new terminal facility.
Initiating the design of a new control tower and commercial airline terminal is an exciting step forward,” said Robert Craft, mayor of Gulf Shores. ‘The continued growth of our airport is a critical factor in providing enhanced economic development opportunities for our entire community.”
