GULF SHORES – Plans for commercial air service at the Gulf Shores International Airport moved forward with the announcement that the Gulf Shores Airport Authority signed an agreement with TBI/VINCI Airports for the construction of a new commercial air terminal.

The project involves a two-phased approach with an estimated $3.7 million initial investment in interim facilities that will be in operation by March 1, 2023. Design work will begin on the permanent structure once the number of passengers using the facility reaches 75,000 and construction will begin after the number of passengers reaches 125,000.

A statement from the Gulf Shores Airport Authority described VINCI as the leading private airport owner/developer in the world. TBI/VINCI will build, manage, and operate the new facility, with the Airport Authority maintaining operational control of the airport.

TBI/VINCI and the authority will jointly market for new entrants to service the region which have more than 8 million visitors a year.

"With the level of interest and existing demand, we do not plan to be in the interim for long," Scott Fuller, Gulf Shores airport director, said. "The only reason to address interim facilities is to accommodate traffic now and not wait for a two-year design and construction project to be completed."

Vic Roberts, chairman of the Gulf Shores Airport Authority, said the agency has already passed on two projected startup requests due to a lack of adequate facilities.

The authority was assisted in the solicitation and negotiation process by BJSA, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio.

City officials announced earlier this year that they planned to begin construction of a new terminal and to start commercial air service from the airport.

The initial plan would be to start with a short-term facility to serve customers while construction of a permanent terminal is going on, officials said in April.

Anyone wanting more information about Gulf Shores International Airport can call the Airport Authority at 251-967-3968