Over 400 community leaders and residents gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Gulf Shores International Airport, anticipating the arrival of the first commercial flight. What they didn’t foresee was an added surprise. They were also informed about two new destinations that would be included in the airport’s regular flight schedule.
City officials from Alabama’s tri-cities — Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Foley — collaborated with business leaders and representatives from Allegiant Airlines to inaugurate the state’s latest airport, officially named The Gulf Shores International Airport at Jack Edwards Field.
The highlight of the event was the landing of the inaugural commercial flight, arriving from Knoxville with 97 passengers and crew on board. The Allegiant flight was greeted with a water cannon salute and a warm reception from the local attendees.
Traditionally, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have been known as destinations that require a car to reach. Travelers typically navigate the busy I-65, move onto the often-congested Highway 59 during weekends and holidays, or take the Foley Beach Express, which also sees heavy traffic further south.
The City of Gulf Shores, the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, and Allegiant Airlines organized the event.
Optimistic projections suggest that the Alabama Gulf area could welcome 60,000 air travelers annually.
During the ceremony, officials and attendees learned that the airport will offer six regular flight destinations from south Baldwin County: Knoxville, St. Louis, Houston, Kansas City, Arkansas, and Cincinnati. The day’s exciting news included the addition of two new routes set to launch in October 2025, to Appleton, Wisconsin, and Des Moines, Iowa.
Locals and visitors along the Alabama Gulf coast are accustomed to seeing numerous car tags from the Midwest, but this may change as Midwesterners can now opt to fly instead of driving to the coast.
While the new airport may appear small to seasoned flyers, it is a compact $8 million facility featuring two passenger gates.
Although the airport has been operational for 40 years, serving private and charter flights, Wednesday marked the commencement of scheduled commercial services.
