Honor Flight of 22 All-Female Vets Welcomed Home

 
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport was honored to welcome home a truly special Honor Flight, carrying 22 all-female Vietnam veterans. After visiting the nation’s capital and the memorials dedicated to their service, these remarkable women returned to a heartfelt hero’s welcome—complete with a water salute, cheering crowds, and a community filled with gratitude. From students and local leaders to families and friends, Coastal Mississippi showed up in full force to celebrate and recognize the service, sacrifice, and legacy of these trailblazing veterans.
 
We extend our sincere THANK YOU to everyone who came out to welcome these heroes home, as well as to the many organizations and partners who worked behind the scenes to plan and organize such a meaningful and memorable experience.

GPT Celebrates Fleet Maintenance Facility Grand Opening

GPT “kicked-off” the grand opening of our new Fleet Maintenance Facility, and we were honored to be joined by many statewide and local partners for the occasion including – Chris Wells with MDEQ, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College‘s Bulldog, Gulfport School District’s Admiral, and Harrison County School District MS’s Stormy.
 
This $3.2 million project, funded by the RESTORE Act, provides GPT’s maintenance department with a modern, centralized facility located closer to the terminal – enhancing efficiency and response times and allowing our team to better serve 54 airport partners and the flying public.
 
GPT is fortunate to have tremendous partners whose resources and expertise brought this milestone project to completion – THANK YOU to Governor Tate Reeves, EGH Architects, J.W. Puckett & Co., and Brown, Mitchell & Alexander, Inc. 
 
We are grateful for the continued support of our community and partners as we continue building the gameplan for the future of GPT.

GPT to Host TSA PreCheck® Enrollment Event

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport will be hosting a TSA PreCheck® enrollment event in collaboration with IDEMIA, an authorized TSA PreCheck enrollment provider since 2013. Travelers will be able to enroll or renew their membership in person on the 1st floor of the Airport across from Baggage Claim 2 from October 21 – 24, 2025. The TSA PreCheck Application Program is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents.

The enrollment process is quick, convenient, and even faster when the application is completed online beforehand.  During the in-person appointment, applicants are required to provide identity and citizenship documents, fingerprints and a photo will be captured, and then pay for the application fee. IDEMIA offers TSA PreCheck enrollment for $76.75 and if approved, travelers get a five-year membership with the program.

For a limited time, take advantage of our family-friendly offer: enroll with a family member and they’ll receive $15 off. With families larger than two, the promotion still applies—for example, a family of four can save $30 when everyone enrolls together.

Following the in-person enrollment appointment, most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in about three to five days. The KTN number must be added to flight reservations to enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits. 

TSA PreCheck was created in October 2011 as a way to provide low-risk travelers with a smoother experience through airport security. It’s a great option for travelers looking to save time. Enrolled members have access to TSA PreCheck dedicated screening lanes at over 200 participating U.S. airports nationwide, and 99% of members wait 10 minutes or less in a screening lane. TSA PreCheck passengers travel with ease and keep their shoes, belts and light jackets on and keep laptops, 3-1-1 liquids and food items in their bags.

If you are unable to make the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport enrollment event but are still interested in enrolling in the TSA PreCheck Application Program, please complete the application online and schedule an appointment at one of IDEMIA’s 500+ enrollment centers nationwide. To get started, visit: https://tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/. For more information on the TSA PreCheck program, visit tsa.gov/precheck.

Summer in the Skies — Celebrating the Future of GPT’s General Aviation

 

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport marked a milestone with the ribbon cutting for a third T‑hangar facility. The new 8‑bay hangar expands the Airport’s general aviation area providing much‑needed space for aviators. This project was made possible thanks to funding from the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Transportation Improvement Program.
 
A heartfelt thank you to MDOT Commissioner Charles Busby, Gulfport Mayor Hugh Keating, representatives from the Coast Congressional Delegation, and our partners and friends who joined us, as well as everyone who supported this effort including Brown, Mitchell & Alexander, Inc. and Sam B Day Construction.

Does Your ID Fly? TSA REAL ID Deadline is May 7

Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years and older must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license with a gold star or another acceptable form of identification to pass through TSA security checkpoints at airports. A standard license will no longer be sufficient for domestic air travel.

Other TSA acceptable forms of ID include:

  • State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. passport card
  • DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
  • Permanent resident card
  • A full list may be found here.

Don’t Have Your Acceptable ID?

Passengers who do not yet have their REAL ID or another TSA acceptable form of ID can expect to face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being allowed into the security checkpoint. This includes TSA PreCheck passengers.

Expired ID

TSA currently accepts expired ID up to two years after expiration, for the above listed forms of identification. 

Children

TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Contact the airline for questions regarding specific ID requirements for travelers under 18.

Names With Suffixes

TSA accepts variations on suffixes on boarding passes and ID. Suffixes are not required on boarding passes. If there is a suffix on the boarding pass, and there is not one on the ID or vice versa, that is considered an acceptable variation.

Find more information on REAL ID here

TSA PreCheck Enrollment 4/1 – 4/10

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport will be hosting a TSA PreCheck® enrollment event in collaboration with IDEMIA, an authorized TSA PreCheck enrollment provider since 2013. Travelers will be able to enroll or renew their membership in-person from April 1 – 10, 2025. The TSA PreCheck Application Program is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents.

The enrollment process is quick, convenient, and even faster when the application is completed online beforehand.  During the in-person appointment, applicants are required to provide identity and citizenship documents, fingerprints and a photo will be captured, and then pay for the application fee. IDEMIA offers TSA PreCheck enrollment for $76.75 and if approved, travelers get a five-year membership with the program.

Following the in-person enrollment appointment, most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in about three to five days. The KTN number must be added to flight reservations to enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits.

TSA PreCheck was created in October 2011 as a way to provide low-risk travelers with a smoother experience through airport security. It’s a great option for travelers looking to save time. Enrolled members have access to TSA PreCheck dedicated screening lanes at over 200 participating U.S. airports nationwide, and 99% of members wait 10 minutes or less in a screening lane. TSA PreCheck passengers travel with ease and keep their shoes, belts and light jackets on and keep laptops, 3-1-1 liquids and food items in their bags.

If you are unable to make the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport enrollment event, but are still interested in enrolling in the TSA PreCheck Application Program, please complete the application online and schedule an appointment at one of IDEMIA’s 630+ enrollment centers nationwide. To get started visit: https://tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/. For more information on the TSA PreCheck program, visit tsa.gov/precheck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3rd Annual MSGCAA Christmas Tree Display Unveiled

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is thrilled to partner with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Attractions Association to bring our passengers the most festive display of local attractions. Santa cut the ribbon on December 6 to officially open the 3rd annual Christmas tree display.

The seven participating attractions each decorated their trees to match the theme of their mission. This year’s display includes trees from Bananas Mini-Golf & Arcade, Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tours, Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, Mississippi Aquarium, Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art and TrainTastic Interactive Model Railroad Museum.

TSA PreCheck® Enrollment Event 11/12-11/15!

Sign up now!

GPT and IDEMIA are hosting a TSA PreCheck enrollment event, ready to make your U.S. travel easier. If you’re not already part of the TSA PreCheck program, you can now pre-enroll and schedule your in-person appointment at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport – 14035-L Airport Road, Gulfport MS 39503.

Appointments are available on a first come first served basis, so we recommend applying as soon as possible.

3 Easy Steps to TSA PreCheck

  1. Apply online: Submit an online application and schedule an appointment at Gulfport, MS – Pop-Up: GPT, 11/12-11/15
  2. Enroll in person: Come to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport to complete the less than 10-minute enrollment which includes capturing your fingerprints and photo for the TSA background check. Be sure to bring documentation proving your identity and citizenship status.
  3. Get your Known Traveler Number (KTN): Most travelers get their KTN in three to five days.

What is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck was created to provide low-risk travelers with a smoother experience at the airport security passenger checkpoint. The program is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

The TSA PreCheck program is a great option for frequent travelers looking to save time during the airport security process. There is a $78 enrollment application fee, which covers five years of participation, if approved.

Why Should I Enroll?

  • VIP experience: Exclusive access to dedicated screening lanes at 200+ U.S. airports.
  • Pack just once: No need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets.
  • Families welcome: Kids 17 and under tag along with enrolled parents/guardians for free.
  • Your time is valuable: Most TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than five minutes in line.

We hope you take advantage of this great service and look forward to seeing you soon!

TSA Introduces Explosives Detection K9 Program

Who Let the Dogs Out? TSA Did.

A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) K9 handler and his explosives detection canine demonstrated their teamwork keeping the public safe at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) on August 15.

During this media event TSA demonstrated how the nose knows as this newly deployed K9 team screens travelers. The press briefing highlighted how the recently deployed TSA explosives detection teams serve as a critical layer of security at your local airport.

Canine teams are one of the most efficient means of detecting explosive substances. The teams are highly mobile and can be rapidly deployed in response to threats anywhere in the airport to provide reliable explosives detection capabilities.

The canine program exemplifies TSA’s commitment to focusing resources on the greatest threat to transportation systems and exists to deter and detect the introduction of explosive devices into any of the Nation’s transportation systems.

TSA-certified canine teams are single purpose trained only to detect explosive materials. The teams play a vital role in the overall security posture of the transportation modes to which they are deployed.