Gulf Shores International Airport is exploring the possibility of expanding its terminal following stronger-than-expected passenger traffic from its new partnership with Allegiant Air.
This week, a flight from Gulf Shores to St. Louis carried more than 200 passengers, pushing the total number of travelers since service began in May to nearly 10,000.
“We went from no air service to number three in the state for places you can fly out of here,” Jesse Fosnaugh, the airport’s director, told WKRG in Mobile. “That alone is incredible.”
According to recent FAA data, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth and Huntsville International remain the top two commercial airports in Alabama.
Fosnaugh said discussions are already underway regarding potential upgrades to the terminal.
RELATED: Gulf Shores prepares for takeoff: New airport and Allegiant flights set to boost beach tourism
“I would expect maybe some more roadside access to the terminal, a larger gate area, a larger back area, kind of like a remodel,” she said. “So we are now starting to say how much will it cost, what will it look like, and that’s the phase that we are at right now.”
This fall, Gulf Shores will add flights to Des Moines, Iowa, and Appleton, Wisconsin. Fosnaugh also said that the airport is in talks with a potential additional airline.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
