GULF SHORES — After 18 years of experience and working at three other airports, new Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF) Director Jesse Fosnaugh said being here gives him the "opportunity to …
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GULF SHORES — After 18 years of experience and working at three other airports, new Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF) Director Jesse Fosnaugh said being here gives him the "opportunity to make a big impact and do something really special."
He said he feels he is "suited for the task at hand" as he was "a part of something similar" to the opening of GUF in his past work experience, he told Gulf Coast Media while sharing updates on the airport and providing answers to some frequently asked questions.
"We're going to do everything to make it the doorstep to the community," Fosnaugh said.
Allegiant Travel Company will be the first commercial airline to fly out of Gulf Shores International Airport, starting on May 21 with six destinations, including Knoxville, Kansas City, Houston, Cincinnati, St. Louis/Belleville and Northwest Arkansas. Tickets are currently on sale for this season of flights, which will last until September.
Fosnaugh talked about the airport's projects at a Coastal Alabama Business Chamber forum Jan. 10, where he discussed community benefits GUF will bring, such as reaching out to people "like never before."
Already, GUF's "commercial service airport brings $44 million total economic impact," Fosnaugh said. "(The airport) is only going to grow that number by stabilizing the economy."
Fosnaugh said the airport will help the local economy by encouraging a steady flow of visitors who experience "less time spent on the road and more time spent in the location." He said it will be a good opportunity to convert driving traffic into flying traffic, which will have access to Uber, Lyft and rental cars upon landing.
Fosnaugh showed a case study by Allegiant on how the airline has grown in Destin since it started in 2016 with seven destinations. By 2023, Destin has 31 destinations.
Fosnaugh said Allegiant leaders believe this growth can be expected at GUF. "It's often a machine that feeds itself" as progress grows and more visitors decide to take to the sky, inspired by others who fly to the area.
Increased air traffic may seem like it will be a loud nightmare, but Fosnaugh reassured that actually "the opposite" is more likely.
"It's easy to believe that big jets means big noise, and it's not the case at all," Fosnaugh said. "These aircraft are large and have FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) engines that make them quieter than most corporate jets."
Fosnaugh summarized his thoughts on the noise levels the air traffic will bring by saying to imagine 186 planes with one person flying into GUF. Now, here will be 186 people in one plane, reducing the actual air traffic.
An environmental assessment is required for the commercial terminal to be built, and Fosnaugh said the project was assessed to have "no significant environmental impact" and that he is glad "we're being responsible in the way we develop."
Fosnaugh said he has not purchased tickets to fly yet, but he plans to visit his daughter in Kansas City via flying.