(Update: 2/16/2024: Gulf Shores International Airport - Jack Edwards Field (JKA) is scheduled to receive a grant of $5 million to help fund improvements necessary for commercial flights. The money is part of a $970 million grant package announced by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for the Biden Administration this week and brings commercial flights into and out of Gulf Shores closer to reality.
This latest round of grants is part of President Biden's Airport Terminal Program, which itself was part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Chicago's Chicago O'Hare International Airport was the recipient of this round's largest grant. The airport received $40 million for various improvements. Three other airports in Alabama received grants, including Fairhope ($2 million and Huntsville ($17 million).)
- - - -
For our family, the road trip from St. Louis, Missouri to Gulf Shores, Alabama has always been part of the trip to the beach. For others, they immediately head to Google or ask Alexa "Can I Fly to Gulf Shores?". Soon you'll be able to fly directly to Gulf Shores, Alabama.
(Update: 3/22/2023: Commercial flights into and out of Gulf Shores International Airport were initially expected to be available by March 1, 2023. Flights are now expected to be available in the Spring of 2024.)
For years, flying into Gulf Shores or Ft. Morgan meant flying to nearby Pensacola, Florida and driving the hour back along the Gulf of Mexico coast. If you are looking to fly with a major airline like Southwest or Jet Blue that will still be your only option for the foreseeable future. If you're comfortable flying with a smaller airline like Sun Coast, you'll soon by able to fly directly into Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field. The airport is a short 24-minute drive to Aurora Del Mar, our beach rental home in Ft. Morgan, Alabama.
Back in 2021 a new air traffic control tower opened at Jack Edwards Airport, which was renamed Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edward Field. The 95-foot-tall tower, which cost an estimated $6.1 million, was a major step towards bringing commercial flights to the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan areas.
In September 2022, the Gulf Shores Airport Authority announced a contract with TBI/VINCI Airports to bring a commercial air terminal to Gulf Shores International Airport. While a permanent terminal is further down the road, the first phase of the agreement called for $3.7 million to be spent on an interim terminal that would allow for travelers to fly in and out of the area on commercial flights.
In August 2022, there were reports that airlines Elite and Sun Country were among the airlines interested in offering flights to the area from Minneapolis and Nashville.
Initial plans called for flights to being available to Gulf Shores International Airport by March 1, 2023. Those plans have been delayed. The Airport Authority is now looking at being able to offer commercial flights by Spring of 2024, according to a Airport Authority representative.
Still need to fly to Gulf Shores? Fly into Pensacola International Airport and make the 52-mile drive to Ft. Morgan. Here's the route.
Thanks for reading this blog post about flying into Gulf Shores, Alabama. We hope you found it helpful. This blog is brought you by Aurora Del Mar, a newly-constructed vacation beach house for rent in Fort Morgan/Gulf Shores, Alabama. With six bedrooms and six bathrooms, this beach rental home is perfect for your next family vacation. Located steps from the sandy Gulf of Mexico beaches in the Morgantown community with a community pool, lighted tennis and pickleball courts. Get more information on reserving Aurora Del Mar for your next family to Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Commenti