GULF SHORES, Alabama — Mayor Robert Craft and the City Council of Gulf Shores recently recognized the Gulf Shores Airport Authority for “considerable accomplishments“ at Jack Edwards National Airport (KJKA).
Craft cited “reaching its goal of self-sufficiency, new private developments, resolving land use issues” as “ some of the reasons this board needs to be recognized.”
Projects referenced include a new heavy aircraft parking apron and new private developments totaling more than $11 million in new construction.
Airport Manager Scott Fuller noted that the Platinum Air Center and Gulf Air Center projects represent “the type of operations we can partner with to transition the airport from a historically resort destination to more of an economic generator for the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach area.”
Platinum is building a 26,000-square-foot hangar/terminal adjacent to the new aircraft apron. Gulf Air Center is building a new 32,000-square-foot hangar/office and a new T-Hangar facility adjacent to its current operations.
Fuller also noted that “by transferring property to the city which could not be developed for aviation use, we were able to create a seed fund for construction of the new airport control tower.”
Also underway is the design of an on-airport aircraft rescue and firefighting station, currently in progress.
Congressman Bradley Byrne took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new facilities at the airport on Nov. 20.
That is amazing that the Gulf Shores now has an airport and is reaching its goal of self-sufficiency. Like you mentioned they are building a hanger and are making the Gulf Shores more available to more operations. Also having an airport means that commercial trade can increase immensely. Also, because it is a tourist destination the tourism industry can increase even more now.