Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF) almost doubled passenger estimates with more than 80,000 fliers in 2025, almost half of whom had never visited Alabama's beaches before.

With a spring 2025 launch that led to an expansion of routes, the airport saw a "stellar first season by all measures."

"Numbers exceeded our initial expectations substantially," said Jesse Fosnaugh, GUF's airport director. "When Allegiant first announced air service in November of 2024, we had estimated around 45,000 passengers would travel through the airport in 2025."

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism's vice president of marketing, Crystal Hinds, said airport traffic numbers indicate new visitors have been attracted to the area and are "generating a meaningful economic impact."

"Tourism is a cornerstone of community well-being on Alabama's beaches, generating local jobs, funding infrastructure and supporting public services that residents rely on year-round," Hinds said. "The visitor dollar reinvests back into Baldwin County, strengthening the quality of life while preserving the

While the 2025 Tourism Impact Report is set to be released by the Alabama Tourism Department later this spring, last year's report showed 6.5 million visitors traveled to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan in 2024.

Hinds said Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism expects a higher number of guests to be reported in 2025.

"Nights booked by guests increased year over year, and nights available also increased," she said. "The hotel occupancy rate in 2025 was flat compared to 2024."

Fosnaugh confirmed the airport brought in new visitors, as 43% of fliers visited the Alabama Gulf Coast for the first time.

Average flights had about 120 passengers, filling the planes to about 70%. The best performing routes last year were Kansas City, Missouri (MCI), and St. Louis/Belleville, Illinois (BLV).

The busiest travel month at the airport was July, and the slowest was December, though Fosnaugh said shoulder seasonal traffic is expected to pick up.

Allegiant Airlines is selling tickets to the 13 nonstop destinations to be offered to and from GUF this year, including the currently running Appleton/Green Bay, Wisconsin (ATW); Belleville, Illinois/St. Louis, Missouri (BLV); Cincinnati, Ohio (CVG); Des Moines, Iowa (DSM); and Nashville, Tennessee (BNA).

These locations are set to continue into the next season, which begins in May, and will join Fayetville, Arkansas (XNA); Knoxville, Tennessee (TYS); Kansas City, Missouri (MCI); Springfield, Missouri (SGF); Louisville, Kentucky (SDF); Huntsville, Alabama (HSV); Omaha, Nebraska (OMA); and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (OKC).

Fosnaugh said he can't speak for Allegiant on what cities they plan to expand to next, but he could see continued expansion to the Midwest and Great Lakes areas.

"I personally think Grand Rapids, Michigan or Indianapolis, Indiana, could be good choices in the future," he said.

A total of 30 flights will come and go from the airport each week during the summer season.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Changes are coming throughout the airport, including improvements to vehicle access to the terminal and expansions on the gate and baggage claim areas.

"We are definitely in a growth mindset right now. We have a planned terminal expansion planned to start summer of 2026," Fosnaugh said. "… Throughout this process, the look and feel of the terminal will be enhanced and passenger convenience maintained. In fact, this expansion plans to have an outdoor patio in the terminal where you can watch your plane while you relax for your flight!"

Earlier this month, Allegiant announced a proposed merger with Sun Country Airlines. According to previous reporting from GCM, the combined airline will offer more destinations — including international ones with Sun Country's service network across Mexico, Central America, Canada and the Caribbean — more often, combining Allegiant's 551 small to mid-sized destinations with Sun Country's 105 larger city routes and bringing the combined airline to an approximate total of 195 aircraft.

From a general community perspective, Hinds noted continued growth along Alabama's beaches with new restaurants, coffee shops, retail, attractions and lodging options being built throughout 2025.

She said a shift in the travel industry has been seen recently as artificial intelligence (AI) programs have become more widely used. She expects use of AI in travel planning to continue to grow this year.

"AI hasn't replaced inspiration, but in some ways, it has removed friction, making travel planning faster, more personal and more reliant on trusted destination brands," she said.

Fosnaugh said he is appreciative of the support from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach businesses, residents, tourism departments and public officials.

"This kind of success doesn't just 'happen,' it takes careful planning and a vision plan for success," he said. "I also would like to thank my airport staff who are professionals who share our community's vision. We will still have our foot on the gas as we move into 2026, as there are big things planned for our airport going forward!"