Exploring Jack Edwards National Airport: Can You Fly In?

can you fly into jack edwards national airport

Jack Edwards National Airport, also known as Gulf Shores International Airport, is a public airport in Baldwin County, Alabama. It is located 4 km north of the City of Gulf Shores and is owned by the Gulf Shores Airport Authority. The airport is served by Allegiant Air, which began service in May 2025, bringing commercial air service to the airport for the first time in 12 years. Jack Edwards Airport has two runways and is capable of handling 100+ seat narrowbody jets. The airport offers a range of transportation options and is easily accessible, making it a convenient choice for travellers.

Characteristics Values
Name Jack Edwards Airport
Location Gulf Shores, Baldwin County, Alabama, United States
Longitude 30.28962
Latitude -87.672884
Airport Codes IATA: GUF, ICAO: KJKA, FAA LID: JKA
Area 838 acres (339 ha)
Elevation 17 feet (5 m) above mean sea level
Number of Runways 2
Runway 9/27 Dimensions 6,962 by 100 feet (2,122 x 30 m)
Runway 17/35 Dimensions 3,596 by 75 feet (1,096 x 23 m)
Average Daily Aircraft Operations (as of January 31, 2023) 168
Breakdown of Aircraft Operations (as of January 31, 2023) 91% general aviation, 7% military, 2% air taxi, <1% commercial
Number of Aircraft Based at the Airport (as of January 31, 2023) 116
Breakdown of Aircraft Based at the Airport (as of January 31, 2023) 86 single-engine, 12 multi-engine, 10 jet, 1 helicopter, 7 ultralights
Transportation Options Driving, cab ride, being driven by a friend or family member
Parking Options Long-term and short-term

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Jack Edwards Airport's official name and location

Jack Edwards Airport, also known as Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field, is a public-use airport in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. It is located two nautical miles (4 km) north of the City of Gulf Shores. The airport is owned by the Gulf Shores Airport Authority.

The airport is named after Jack Edwards, and it covers an area of 838 acres (339 ha) at an elevation of 17 feet (5 m) above sea level. It has two runways with asphalt surfaces. For the 12-month period ending January 31, 2023, the airport had 61,372 aircraft operations, averaging 168 per day. During this time, there were 116 aircraft based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, helicopter, and ultralight aircraft.

The airport is assigned the codes GUF by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), KJKA by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and JKA by the Federal Aviation Administration as a three-letter location identifier. These codes are used in flight schedules and for other identification purposes.

Jack Edwards Airport serves as an important aviation hub for the Gulf Coast and South Alabama, catering to travellers for both business and pleasure. The airport has various transportation options, including driving oneself, getting a cab, or being dropped off by a friend or family member. It also offers long-term parking for those who need it.

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Tips for flying from Jack Edwards Airport

Jack Edwards Airport, also known as Gulf Shores International Airport, is a public airport in Baldwin County, Alabama. The airport is a two-mile drive north of the City of Gulf Shores.

Plan your transportation to the airport in advance

If you're driving yourself to the airport, you can park your vehicle at the airport's long-term parking facility. Alternatively, you can opt for short-term parking if someone is dropping you off. If you'd prefer not to drive, you can share a cab ride with a colleague or have a friend or family member give you a lift.

Arrive at the airport early

Give yourself ample time to find parking, check-in, drop off your bags, and grab a bite to eat before your flight. Most airlines recommend arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights.

Check your flight status and stay updated on any changes

Before leaving for the airport, check your Jack Edwards Airport (GUF) flight status to ensure there are no last-minute changes or delays. Also, familiarize yourself with your airline's check-in requirements and baggage policies to avoid any surprises at the airport.

Book your flights in advance to get good deals

Airline ticket prices fluctuate, so booking your flights in advance can help you secure a good deal. Websites like Travelocity and Hotwire offer cheap airfare options for flights from Jack Edwards Airport. Keep an eye out for deals, and don't be afraid to snap them up when you see them!

Be aware of the airport's facilities and services

Jack Edwards Airport has two runways and can handle various aircraft, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, helicopter, and ultralight planes. The airport also has a new passenger terminal capable of accommodating 100+ seat narrow-body jets.

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Transport options to the airport

Jack Edwards Airport (GUF) is a public-use airport in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. It is located two nautical miles (4 km) north of the City of Gulf Shores. The airport is accessible by several transport options.

If you don't want to deal with parking, you can ask a friend or family member to drive you to the airport and use short-term parking. Alternatively, if you're travelling with a colleague, you can meet at the office and share a cab ride to the airport. If you need to drive yourself, Jack Edwards Airport offers long-term parking that is safe and secure for your vehicle.

Most airlines recommend arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. This gives you enough time to find parking, check-in, drop off your bags, and grab something to eat before your flight.

Jack Edwards Pensacola International Airport is also nearby, providing additional travel options for those visiting the area.

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History of the airport

Jack Edwards Airport, also known as Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field, is a public airport in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. It is located two nautical miles (4 km) north of the City of Gulf Shores. The airport is owned by the Gulf Shores Airport Authority and is named after Jack Edwards, a U.S. politician from Alabama.

The airport was originally an outlying field (Canal Field) for Naval Air Station Pensacola. In 1977, the U.S. Navy sold the airport to the state of Alabama, and it was renamed Jack Edwards Airport. The airport is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it as a general aviation facility.

Jack Edwards Airport covers an area of 838 acres (339 hectares) and is situated at an elevation of 17 feet (5 meters) above mean sea level. The airport has two runways with asphalt surfaces. The airport primarily serves general aviation, military, and air taxi operations, with a smaller percentage of commercial flights. In the 12-month period ending January 31, 2023, the airport recorded 61,372 aircraft operations, averaging 168 per day. There were 116 aircraft based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, helicopter, and ultralight vehicles.

In 2024, construction began on a new passenger terminal capable of accommodating narrow-body jets with over 100 seats. This development brought commercial air service back to the airport, with Allegiant Air commencing operations on May 22, 2025, after a 12-year hiatus. Southern Airways Express previously served the airport from June 2013 but ceased operations due to cost considerations. Jack Edwards Airport serves as an important aviation hub for the Gulf Coast and South Alabama, catering to both business and leisure travellers.

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Airlines that serve the airport

Jack Edwards National Airport (IATA: GUF, ICAO: KJKA, FAA LID: JKA) is a public airport in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. The airport is located two nautical miles (4 km) north of the City of Gulf Shores.

The airport was originally an outlying field for Naval Air Station Pensacola. The U.S. Navy sold the airport to the state of Alabama in 1977, and it was subsequently named after U.S. Rep. Jack Edwards. In 1983, the state sold the airport to the city of Gulf Shores, and it is now owned by the Gulf Shores Airport Authority.

Several airlines have served or currently serve the Jack Edwards National Airport. Southern Airways Express previously served the airport beginning in June 2013 but later ceased operations due to cost considerations. Allegiant Air recently began serving the airport as of May 22, 2025, bringing commercial air service to the airport for the first time in 12 years. Allegiant offers nonstop flights to Nashville (BNA) from Jack Edwards Airport.

Frequently asked questions

Jack Edwards National Airport. It is also known as Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field.

Yes, Jack Edwards National Airport is a public-use airport. Allegiant Air began providing commercial air service to the airport in May 2025, after a 12-year hiatus.

The airport's IATA code is GUF, its ICAO code is KJKA, and its FAA LID is JKA.

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