Alabama Airports: A Comprehensive Guide To Air Travel

Alabama, a U.S. state, is served by 34 airports, including both international and regional airports. The largest airport in Alabama is the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, which is also the busiest, having served more than 2.9 million passengers in 2009. Huntsville International Airport is another major airport in Alabama, located 9 miles southwest of Huntsville and serving more than 1.4 million passengers annually.

Huntsville International Airport (HSV)

The airport covers 6,000 acres of land at an elevation of 629 feet. It has two asphalt runways, with the west runway being the second longest commercial runway in the southeastern United States. The airport features 12 gates with various amenities, including restrooms, shops, restaurants, phones, and murals showcasing aviation and space exploration. Additionally, there is a 3-star hotel, the Four Points by Sheraton, located above the ticketing area and lobby.

Huntsville International Airport offers nonstop service to 14 destinations across the United States, including major cities like Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. It is designated as a Re-entry site for the Dream Chaser, a spaceplane operated by Sierra Space for reentries from Low Earth Orbit. The airport is part of the Port of Huntsville, along with the International Intermodal Center and Jetplex Industrial Park, serving the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area.

Huntsville International Airport is served by four major passenger airlines: American Airlines, Breeze Airways, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. These airlines represent the biggest three international airline alliances globally. The airport also serves eight cargo airlines, including Cargolux, Latam Cargo, and UPS. In the year ending June 30, 2023, the airport recorded 63,603 aircraft operations, averaging about 174 flights per day.

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

Alabama's Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is a small civil-military airport located in Birmingham, Alabama. It is situated in Jefferson County, about five miles northeast of downtown Birmingham, near the interchange of Interstates 20 and 59. The airport serves the metropolitan areas of Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. It is the largest and busiest airport in Alabama by passenger volume, serving 3,243,023 passengers in 2024.

The airport has two asphalt runways: Runway 6/24 and Runway 18/36. Runway 6/24, which was extended in 2007, is 12,007 feet long and 150 feet wide, while Runway 18/36 is 7,099 feet long and 150 feet wide. The airport can accommodate all types of aircraft, including a fully loaded Boeing 747.

The airport was originally known as Birmingham Municipal Airport and later as Birmingham International Airport. In 2008, it was renamed Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in honour of civil rights activist Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth. The airport has a long history, dating back to the early days of aviation in the state, and it underwent significant improvements in the early 2000s, including the construction of a new air traffic control tower and enhancements to air cargo areas.

Alabama's busiest and biggest airports

Alabama is a US state with several public-use and military airports. The largest and busiest airport in Alabama by passenger volume is the Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport (IATA: BHM, ICAO: KBHM, FAA LID: BHM). The airport served 3,243,023 passengers in 2024. It is a civil-military airport located in Jefferson County, five miles northeast of Downtown Birmingham, near the interchange of Interstates 20 and 59. The airport provides scheduled airline services for the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa metropolitan areas. The airfield can handle all types of aircraft, with its main runway measuring 12,007 feet (3,660 m) and the secondary runway 7,099 feet (2,164 m). The airport also features a unique piece of artwork, a living plant wall entitled "Earth Wind and Water: The Landscape of Alabama", which is the largest living wall inside any airport terminal in the United States.

The history of the Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport dates back to August 1948 when it returned to city control and Southern Airways began service. In March 1951, four runways were in operation, with runway lengths ranging from 4,000 feet (1,200 m) to 5,500 feet (1,700 m). By 1959, the main runway had been extended to 10,000 feet (3,000 m), allowing for the start of scheduled jet services in October 1961. The airport was renamed in July 2008 after Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, honouring his contributions to the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights and his leadership during the Birmingham campaign.

Another notable airport in Alabama is the Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM), located at 4445 Selma Highway, Montgomery, Alabama, 36108. While it may not be as large or busy as the Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport, it still serves the city of Montgomery and its surrounding areas.

In addition to these airports, Alabama is home to several other public-use and military airports, including smaller airports that serve specific regions or communities within the state. These airports play a crucial role in connecting people to Alabama and facilitating travel within the state.

Addison Municipal Airport

Alabama is home to 96 active public-use airports, including two international airports: Birmingham-Shuttlesworth and Huntsville. Alabama's airports played an integral role in the nation's defence during World War II, and today they are an essential part of the state's transportation network.

One of these airports is Addison Municipal Airport, a city-owned, public-use airport located in Winston County, Alabama. Situated about one mile (or two kilometres) northeast of Addison's central business district, the airport covers 37 acres (or 15 hectares) of land. It has a single runway, numbered 4/22, which has a turf surface measuring 2,631 by 112 feet (or 802 by 34 metres).

During the 12 months ending on April 5, 2000, the airport recorded 1,416 general aviation aircraft operations, averaging 118 flights per month. Addison Municipal Airport is identified by the location identifier LID: 2A8, assigned by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The airport is an important transportation hub for the community of Addison and the surrounding area, providing convenient access to general aviation services. Its runway can accommodate small aircraft and private planes, offering a valuable gateway to and from Winston County.

Alabama's smaller airports

Alabama has 96 active public-use airports, including several smaller airports that serve their communities in various ways. Smaller airports in Alabama include Bates Field Airport, which played a crucial role during World War II, facilitating troop movements, providing training facilities, and housing a large army glider training program. Another example is Napier Field, located in Dothan and Houston County, which also served as a training facility for army aviators during the war.

Huntsville International Airport, while being one of the two airports in Alabama that host international flights, also qualifies as a smaller airport when compared to major aviation hubs. The airport has a rich history, dating back to the postwar era, when it received funding for improvements that eventually led to Huntsville's first passenger airline service in 1944.

The state is also home to numerous reliever airports designated by the FAA to reduce congestion at larger airports and enhance general aviation access for the community. These smaller airports are vital for the progress and development of their respective communities.

Additionally, Alabama has a long aviation history, being home to the nation's first civilian flying school. The Alabama Department of Transportation has been instrumental in securing federal funding for regional and smaller public-use airports, ensuring their continued operation and contribution to the state's transportation network.

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