Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport

Originally constructed in 1942 to train B-25 and B-29 flight crews for WWII, Gulfport Field was conveyed from the War Department to the City of Gulfport in 1949 for use as a civil airport. The City negotiated airline service contracts with Southern Airways and later National Airlines to provide passenger and cargo service to the Coast beginning in the early 1950's. Through the late 1970's, Southern Airways continued as the primary airline, followed by successors Republic and Northwest into the 1990's.

Beginning in 1953, the Mississippi National Guard developed a training activity which has grown into a high-tech Combat Readiness Training Center, one of four in the Nation. Military traffic has expanded each year, and now more than 20,000 Air Guard and Reserve flight personnel are trained at the base annually. Within 10 minutes, supersonic fighters and in-flight refuelers can simulate a combat environment over the Gulf of Mexico or at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, MS. Additionally, the Army National Guard established the Aviation Classification Repair Depot operation which repairs several types of combat and transport helicopters for military activities throughout the Southeast and Puerto Rico.

In 1977, the Cities of Gulfport and Biloxi and the County of Harrison joined together to establish Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport Authority, and directed the Airport Authority Commissioners to manage airport facility development. The mission of the Airport Authority is to provide a high quality, safe public airport in order that the Coast citizens and supporting communities receive a sustained and superior return on their investment. During the two following decades, passenger growth increased fourfold and the Airport Authority completed $46 million in capital improvements, 80% of which funds came from Federal Airport Improvement Program funds. Due to casino destination resort growth and a 130% increase in Coast hotel rooms, passenger boardings grew 400% during the 1990’s and the economic impact of the Airport exceeded $600 million annually.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina left a destructive path across the Mississippi Gulf Coast and at the Airport with many facilities damaged or destroyed.  At that time, the Airport had initiated a major terminal expansion and scheduled completion was delayed by two years due to the storm.  The grand opening of the terminal expansion was held in 2008 with the Airport increasing its capacity from one million to 2.4 million annual passengers.  Other facilities repaired or replaced included the rental car service center, air cargo facility, and a new general aviation area.  New items consisted of a parking garage with covered walkway, two hotels, new Air Traffic Control Tower (scheduled to open 2012), and numerous infrastructure improvements.  Total investment at the Airport in the five years after Hurricane Katrina totaled $287 million including $147 million of private investment. 

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is currently served by six commercial airlines, offering frequent, non-stop jet service to seven major cities connecting to over 2,000 flights throughout the United States and the World. As a result of competition, airfares are competitive and passenger boardings are growing. New general and corporate aviation facilities are under construction as general aviation continues to be a major contributor to the Airport's aviation service resource.  The Airport also offers a 46,000 sq. ft. air cargo facility which accommodates domestic and international air cargo in Foreign Trade Zone No. 92.  Major runway, taxiway and lighting system improvements are also underway to assure continued growth of commercial and military users.

In sum, the Airport is rich with aeronautical history and the Airport Authority is actively developing the Airport to meet the current and future needs of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. With nearly 1,700 acres of property and two runways, Airport environs height and hazard zoning in place, and 170 acres available for expansion of the passenger terminal complex, Gulfport-Biloxi has the land area, airspace zoning, facilities and instrument approaches in place to sustain double-digit growth for twenty years and beyond for domestic and international airlines, the military and general aviation.