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.
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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.
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In 1977, the Cities of Gulfport and Biloxi and the
County of Harrison joined together to establish the 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.
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Entering the new millennium, the Gulfport-Biloxi International
Airport is served by five commercial airlines, offering
frequent, non-stop jet service to eight major airports
connecting to over 2,000 flights throughout the United
States and the World. As a result of competition, airfares
are very competitive with passenger boardings rising
sharply. The general and corporate aviation facilities
are also a major contributor to the Airport's aviation
service resource. Several aviation businesses grew steadily
in the 1990’s and operated award-winning activities
providing fuel, maintenance and related aircraft services
for all Airport users.
With respect to growth projects, a cargo base began
operations in the late 1990’s. The facility accommodates
domestic and international air cargo in Foreign Trade
Zone No. 92 and is a joint venture of the Airport, Harrison
County and the State of Mississippi. Major runway and
lighting system improvements were completed in the late
1990’s setting the stage for expanded commercial
and military users. Two major Terminal expansions were
completed during the same period providing capacity for
additional airlines. Having handled 857,000 annual passengers
in 2003, with some critical capacity enhancements in
a few key markets, the Airport forecasts over 1,000,000
total passenger movements in 2007. The Terminal facility
improvements now underway in 2004-2005 will accommodate
that new passenger demand. The project will increase
the Terminal from 92,000 sq. ft. to 165,000 sq. ft. and
cost $51 million. Construction will be completed in early
2006.
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.
