Mobile Alabama's Airport: What You Need To Know

Mobile, Alabama, is served by the Mobile Regional Airport, a public/military airport located 13 miles (21 km) west of the city. The airport is owned and operated by the Mobile Airport Authority and is home to the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, providing advanced training to U.S. Coast Guard pilots and aircrew. With a history dating back to the 1930s, the airport has been utilized by various commercial airlines and served as a training ground for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

Mobile Regional Airport's location and ownership

Mobile Regional Airport (IATA: MOB, ICAO: KMOB, FAA LID: MOB) is located 13 miles (21 km) west of Mobile, in Mobile County, Alabama, United States. The airport covers 1,717 acres (695 ha) at an elevation of 219 feet (67 m). It has two runways: 15/33, which is 8,502 by 150 feet (2,591 x 46 m), and 18/36, which is 4,376 by 150 feet (1,334 x 46 m). It also has one asphalt helipad, measuring 100 by 100 feet (30 x 30 m). The National Weather Service Forecast Office for Southern Alabama, located near Airport Road and the runway, is equipped with a range of meteorological instruments, including a NEXRAD weather radar.

The airport is owned and operated by the Mobile Airport Authority, a self-funded entity that does not rely on local tax dollars. It is categorized as a primary commercial service airport by the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015. Federal Aviation Administration records show that the airport handled 286,956 passenger boardings in 2008, with a slight decrease in the following two years: 280,491 in 2009 and 277,232 in 2010.

Mobile Regional Airport has a rich history, dating back to World War II when it was known as Bates Field and used by the United States Army Air Forces. The 533d Army Air Force Base Unit commanded the airport during this time. Eastern Air Lines served Mobile from the 1930s until 1991, with one flight a day between Newark and San Antonio stopping at what is now Mobile International Airport. The airport has also been utilised by various airlines over the years, including National Airlines, Pan Am, Capital Airlines, United Airlines, Southern Airways, Texas International, and Delta Air Lines.

The airport is home to the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, providing advanced training for U.S. Coast Guard pilots and aircrew in MH-65D Dolphin and MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters, as well as the HC-144A/B Ocean Sentry turboprop aircraft. Additionally, the Alabama Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 131st Aviation Regiment's "B" Company is also located at the airport.

Airlines that serve Mobile

Mobile, Alabama, is served by the Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), which is located 13 miles (21 km) west of the city in Mobile County. The airport is owned and operated by the Mobile Airport Authority, and it offers both public and military services.

Several airlines have served Mobile Regional Airport over the years, with Eastern Airlines being the first to do so until 1941 when it moved to the present airport. Eastern Airlines served Mobile until 1991, offering flights to destinations like Atlanta, Newark, and San Antonio. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces used the airport, then known as Bates Field, for basic pilot training.

Other airlines that have served Mobile include:

• Capital Airlines, which began flights to Mobile in 1948 and was later acquired by United Airlines in 1961.
• United Airlines, which served Mobile with Douglas DC-6Bs and Vickers Viscounts, and ended its mainline service to Mobile in 1971. However, United Express regional jets still serve the airport.
• Southern Airways, which arrived in Mobile in the early 1950s and offered nonstop flights to Atlanta and New Orleans in the 1970s.
• National Airlines, which operated Jacksonville-New Orleans flights stopping at the airport south of Mobile starting in 1939.
• Pan Am, which served the airport after its acquisition of National Airlines until 1981.
• American Airlines, which offered flights to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport via Jackson, MS, or New Orleans, LA, and also served Nashville from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s.
• Delta Air Lines, which currently operates mainline passenger service from the airport using jet types like the Boeing 717 and Airbus A319.
• AirTran Airways, which served the airport for a period but was later acquired by Southwest Airlines.

Military use of the airport

Mobile, Alabama, is served by two airports: Mobile Regional Airport and Mobile International Airport. Both airports have been used for military purposes.

Military Use of Mobile Regional Airport

During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces used Mobile Regional Airport, then known as Bates Field. The 533d Army Air Force Base Unit commanded the airport. The Army Air Forces also operated an auxiliary airfield at St. Elmo Airport. The Army used this airport as a basic (level 1) pilot training airfield, performing flying training with Fairchild PT-19 and several Boeing-Stearman Model 75 aircraft. The Army also used Bates for glider pilot training under contract to Mobile Area Soaring, which used Douglas C-47 Skytrain and Waco CG-4 unpowered gliders.

In May 1959, the U.S. Air Force returned to Bates Field when the Air Force Reserve activated the 78th Troop Carrier Squadron at the airport with Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar aircraft. In 1963, the Air Force upgraded Bates to a Group level upon organizing the 908th Troop Carrier Group, but in 1964, the reservists were moved to the larger Brookley Air Force Base due to budget constraints.

Today, Mobile Regional Airport is a public/military airport owned and operated by the Mobile Airport Authority. The airport is home to the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, providing advanced training to U.S. Coast Guard pilots and aircrew in MH-65D Dolphin and MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters, as well as the HC-144A/B Ocean Sentry turboprop aircraft. The Alabama Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 131st Aviation Regiment's "B" Company is also located at the airport.

Military Use of Mobile International Airport

Mobile International Airport is located three nautical miles (6 km) south of the central business district of Mobile. Prior to 1969, the airport was part of an active military installation known as Brookley Air Force Base. Today, the airport is a public-use facility owned and operated by the Mobile Airport Authority. For the 12-month period ending October 31, 2023, 53% of the aircraft operations at the airport were military.

Passenger boardings at the airport

Mobile, Alabama, is served by the Mobile Regional Airport, a public/military airport 13 miles (21 km) west of the city in Mobile County. The airport is owned and operated by the Mobile Airport Authority, which is a self-funded entity that receives no local tax dollars.

The airport is home to the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Training Centre, which provides advanced training to U.S. Coast Guard pilots and aircrew in MH-65D Dolphin and MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters, as well as the HC-144A/B Ocean Sentry turboprop aircraft. The Alabama Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 131st Aviation Regiment's "B" Company is also located at the airport.

Aircraft used by the U.S. Coast Guard

Mobile, Alabama, is served by the Mobile Regional Airport, which is located 13 miles (21 km) west of the city. The airport is owned and operated by the Mobile Airport Authority and is categorised as a primary commercial service airport.

The U.S. Coast Guard operates a fleet of around 200-210 aircraft, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing configurations. These aircraft support the Coast Guard's roles as a law enforcement agency, a military service branch, and a seafaring service.

Fixed-wing aircraft, such as the Lockheed HC-130 Hercules turboprop, are used for long-duration missions from Air Stations. The Coast Guard also employs helicopters, such as the Aérospatiale HH-65 Dolphin and the Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk, which can be deployed from Air Stations, Air Facilities, and flight-deck-equipped cutters. These helicopters are capable of conducting search and rescue operations and intercepting smuggling vessels.

Some specialised MH-designated helicopters are armed with guns, while others are equipped with armour to protect against small arms fire. The Coast Guard also utilises the Grumman HU-16 Albatross fixed-wing aircraft and trains pilots and aircrew in MH-65D Dolphin and MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters, as well as the HC-144A/B Ocean Sentry turboprop aircraft.

In addition to these aircraft, the Coast Guard surface fleet is augmented by privately-owned vessels operated by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Coast Guard also operates approximately 1,402 boats, which are typically deployed near shore and on inland waterways.

Frequently asked questions