Gulf Shores Airport: Does It Exist?

Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field, located in Baldwin County, Alabama, serves the city of Gulf Shores. The airport is ranked as the second busiest in Alabama, with over 90,000 annual operations, and is expected to introduce commercial air services soon.

Gulf Shores International Airport is located 2 miles north of the central business district

Gulf Shores International Airport, also known as Jack Edwards Field, is located approximately 2 miles north of the central business district of Gulf Shores, Alabama. The airport is owned by the Gulf Shores Airport Authority and is ranked as the second busiest airport in the state of Alabama. With over 90,000 annual operations, it serves a high volume of private charter flights.

The airport covers an area of 838 acres at an elevation of 17 feet above mean sea level. It has two runways with asphalt surfaces. The longer runway, 9/27, measures 6,962 by 100 feet, while the shorter runway, 17/35, is 3,596 by 75 feet.

Gulf Shores International Airport has been making strides towards establishing commercial air service. In 2024, the City of Gulf Shores loaned the Airport Authority $3 million, matched with a $5 million federal grant, to build a temporary terminal for commercial flights. The terminal's design was completed, and construction was planned to begin in the fall of 2024, with the goal of having commercial air service by late fall 2025.

The addition of commercial services is expected to have a positive impact on traffic congestion and the quality of life for those living in the area. It will provide a convenient option for air travel between Mobile and Pensacola.

The airport is ranked the second busiest in Alabama

Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field (IATA: GUF, ICAO: KJKA, FAA LID: JKA) is ranked the second busiest airport in Alabama. With over 90,000 annual operations, the airport has a heavy volume of takeoffs and landings of private charter flights. The airport covers an area of 838 acres at an elevation of 17 feet above mean sea level. It has two runways with asphalt surfaces. For the 12-month period ending January 31, 2023, the airport recorded 61,372 aircraft operations, an average of 168 per day.

The airport is located approximately 2 miles north of the central business district of Gulf Shores, Alabama. It was originally an outlying field for Naval Air Station Pensacola. The U.S. Navy sold it to the state of Alabama in 1977, and it was later renamed after U.S. Rep. Jack Edwards. In 1983, the state sold the airport to the city of Gulf Shores, and a new terminal was built in 1998. A runway extension was completed in 2003.

The Gulf Shores International Airport Authority has been working towards establishing commercial air service at the airport. In 2024, the Gulf Shores City Council approved a resolution to loan $3 million to the airport authority for the construction of a temporary terminal, with the design completed and construction expected to begin in late 2025. The addition of commercial services is expected to reduce traffic congestion and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors.

The airport has a Federal Aviation Administration location identifier of JKA, while the International Air Transport Association airport code is GUF, and the International Civil Aviation Organization airport code is KJKA.

It is owned by the Gulf Shores Airport Authority

Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field, formerly known as Jack Edwards National Airport, is indeed owned by the Gulf Shores Airport Authority. The airport is located two nautical miles (4 km) north of the City of Gulf Shores, Alabama, and is ranked as the second busiest airport in the state.

The airport 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: 9/27, which measures 6,962 by 100 feet (2,122 x 30 m), and 17/35, which is 3,596 by 75 feet (1,096 x 23 m). With over 90,000 annual operations, the airport serves a variety of aircraft, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, helicopter, and ultralight planes.

The history of the airport dates back to when it was 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 after U.S. Rep. Jack Edwards. In 1983, the state sold the airport to the city of Gulf Shores, and a new terminal was constructed in 1998, with a runway extension completed in 2003.

The Gulf Shores Airport Authority has been working towards introducing commercial air service to the airport, which has long been a dream for the city. In 2024, the Gulf Shores City Council approved a resolution to loan the airport authority $3 million for the construction of a temporary terminal, with the hope of attracting commercial airlines. This loan was matched with a $5 million airport terminal program grant, and construction was planned to begin in the fall of 2024. The introduction of commercial services is expected to reduce traffic congestion and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors to Gulf Shores.

The airport has two runways with asphalt surfaces

Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field (IATA: GUF, ICAO: KJKA, FAA LID: JKA) is located approximately 2 miles north of the central business district of Gulf Shores, Alabama. The airport has two runways with asphalt surfaces. The first runway, 9/27, measures 6,962 by 100 feet (2,122 x 30 metres), while the second runway, 17/35, spans 3,596 by 75 feet (1,096 x 23 metres). These runways are crucial for the airport's operations, accommodating a variety of aircraft, from single-engine planes to jets.

The two asphalt runways at Gulf Shores International Airport are an essential part of the airport's infrastructure. Asphalt is a common material choice for runways due to its durability and ability to withstand the weight of aircraft. It provides a smooth surface for takeoffs and landings, ensuring safe and efficient operations. The length and width of the runways are carefully designed to handle different types of aircraft, from smaller private planes to larger commercial jets.

Runway 9/27, with its length of 6,962 feet and width of 100 feet, is the longer and wider of the two runways. This runway can accommodate larger aircraft, such as commercial jets, which require a longer distance for takeoff and landing. The asphalt surface provides a smooth and stable platform for these heavier aircraft, ensuring safe operations. The length and strength of the asphalt runway are crucial factors in determining the types of aircraft that can utilise the airport.

On the other hand, runway 17/35, measuring 3,596 feet in length and 75 feet in width, is more suited for smaller aircraft. This runway can efficiently handle single-engine planes and other light aircraft commonly used for general aviation. While shorter than runway 9/27, it still provides a safe and functional surface for takeoffs and landings, thanks to its asphalt construction. The airport's ability to cater to a range of aircraft sizes contributes to its versatility and capacity to serve diverse aviation needs.

The two asphalt runways at Gulf Shores International Airport play a vital role in the airport's functionality and ability to serve a high volume of aircraft operations. By providing separate runways for larger and smaller aircraft, the airport optimises its efficiency, ensuring smooth traffic flow and reducing potential delays. These runways are a key factor in the airport's ranking as the second busiest in Alabama, catering to a significant number of private charter flights and, soon, commercial flights as well.

Three airlines have expressed interest in the airport

Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field, located two nautical miles (4 km) north of the City of Gulf Shores, Alabama, is one of the busiest airports in the state, with over 90,000 flight operations annually. Despite this, the airport has primarily served private charter flights, with only a small percentage of commercial operations.

However, recent developments indicate that this could soon change. The Gulf Shores International Airport is preparing to introduce commercial flight services, with plans to build a temporary terminal to accommodate these operations. This endeavour has been a long-standing dream for the city, and in December 2024, the Gulf Shores City Council approved a resolution loaning $3 million to the airport authority for the construction of the temporary terminal. This loan, along with a $5 million federal grant, will help make the terminal a reality.

The addition of commercial services is expected to bring about significant benefits, including reduced traffic congestion and an improved quality of life for residents and visitors alike. It will also provide a more convenient option for air travel in the region.

The city spokesman, Grant Brown, announced that as of December 2024, three airlines have expressed interest in the airport: Elite, Sun Country, and one unnamed airline. These airlines are awaiting the completion of the terminal and the necessary infrastructure before fully committing to the airport. The terminal's design is already complete, and construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2025, marking a pivotal step towards establishing commercial air service at Gulf Shores International Airport.

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