Gulf Shores Welcomes First Commercial Flight to New Airport
Gulf Shores, AL — The atmosphere at Gulf Shores International Airport on Wednesday was electric, as a crowd gathered to celebrate a historic milestone—the arrival of Allegiant Flight 1403, the airport’s first-ever commercial flight. The event marked a significant development for the region’s tourism and transportation.
The flight’s arrival was celebrated with water cannons and cheers, a fitting tribute for a project nearly four decades in the making. "That was a cool plane to be on," said Beth Gendler, president & CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. With vacationers and local officials onboard, the flight symbolizes a new direct air connection from Alabama’s Gulf Coast to multiple cities across the United States, eliminating the long drives that many tourists previously endured.
Allegiant Air will initially operate six routes from Gulf Shores to cities like Knoxville, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and more, with plans to include additional destinations in the coming months. Kristen Schilling-Gonzales, Allegiant’s vice president of planning, highlighted the destination’s appeal, particularly for those seeking warmer winters.
The new airport—partially funded by federal and state investments, including a loan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—was constructed to support commercial air service. Mayor Robert Craft has been pivotal in this development, promoting a vision for commercial flights since 1988.
As Gulf Shores embraces this new chapter, local officials urge residents to take advantage of the affordable fares to visit Midwestern cities. With an estimated 8 million visitors flocking to the Alabama coast annually, the airport is set to play a crucial role in further enhancing local tourism.
“This is the start of a new chapter,” said Jesse Fosnaugh, the newly appointed airport director, ready to lead the efforts in transforming the travel landscape of Gulf Shores.
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