How will the new airport help Gulf Shores tourism?

Question

Gulf Shores/Orange Beach investors; I have a question for you. How do you think the expansion of Jack Edwards airport will help tourism (and our short term rentals)?

For those that don't know, AirDNA says Gulf Shores is the 8th best large market to own a rental property, with annual revenue potential over $99,000. Gulf Shores Alabama gets 6+ million visitors a year and an incredible 92% of those tourists drive there...because the nearest airport is an hour away.

The small airport in Gulf Shores is building a new control tower, which will completed in July and open in September. They're working on getting a low-cost carrier to fly directly into Gulf Shores. This will be the first time commercial flights have been available into Gulf Shores. My understanding is there will be direct flights from cities like Dallas, Nashville, Atlanta.

What have y'all heard? What kind of impact do you think it'll make on tourism? Anyone else excited about this?

Ryan Moyer · Answer

We literally just booked exactly this for ourselves in Destin for this summer, flying from Utah.

Cullum Stirling · Answer

I'm a newbie, but for my 2 cents I certainly don't see it doing anything but helping the tourism. A lot of people from TX, LA, and MS drive to Gulf shores for the white beaches. Not to mention 10+ hours from up North. An family friendly affordable plane ticket could do wonders for those that had making the long haul.

Is there even enough room for tourism to increase down there? Every time I try to book a vacation in the area it seems the larger majority of all accommodation is fully booked.

Richard Helppie-Schmieder · Answer

Where are the pilots on BP!? I stumbled across this post, but now I have to know which planes can land at Gulf Shores for me to selfishly take a family vacation with my family from Dallas, because driving that distance is a beating.

Michael Baum · Answer

Hey @Dustin Turner I kinda agree with @John Underwood. The runway length is just a bit too short for 737-900 landing and way to short for takeoff. A 747-8i can actually takeoff and land at that runway believe it or not. A 777-300 is in the same boat at the 737.

Having said all that, smaller planes like the Bombardier Q400, Embraer E175, Embraer EJR 135 and the like can land and takeoff from JKA's 6962ft runway.

So that bodes pretty well for increased traffic. I am curious on the 6m visitors. How many will opt to fly in vs. drive if that option is available. That is a lot of folks so I would guess that given a decent flight cost that many will choose to fly. Plus I can see an increase in visitors with the new option of flying in from various locales where they thought that driving would be too far.

Joe C. · Answer

LOL when then consider me corrected! Enjoy your trip! But would you fly to Gulf Shores?

Matt "Roar" Gardner · Answer

@Ryan Moyer - Hit me up when you're in town.  I'd love to connect with more BP investors from out of state!

Joe C. · Answer

While I don't know Gulf Shores I know beach vacations and families. I would say that it depends on what you are renting as a STR... Are you trying to rent out a 1 or 2 bed condo near the beach or a 5+ bedroom SFH? Small properties where there is little need for a car because you are so close to everything, or even in a self-contained resort community would tend to benefit from the airport. Snowbirds, a couple looking for a getaway, etc. would be drawn to this. Packing up 2 families with kids and grandparents for a week in summer? Nobody will be doing this via airplane, nobody.

Michael Baum · Answer

Just an FYI, I did say the 737-900. The 737-100 can take off in 6,000 feet. But you won't find many of the series below 700 still being used. The 700 can take off and land in under 6,000 feet, but not every model. And this thread is about STR's not aviation. Still Elite Airways has announced they will be providing service in 2021 using the Bombardier CRJ700 which is on par with smaller planes I listed before at 78 passengers. They have a pretty broad range so hopefully it will help drive more tourists there!

Conor Shinnick · Answer

That runway is only 40ft shorter than both runways at LGA and 200ft shorter than DCA, which means any 737 or A320 that the low cost carriers fly will have no issues. I'm sure the major airlines would also enter the market with regional jets. For airlines, a terminal building and large parking lots would need to be built whereas a control tower is preferred but not required.

Airline service directly to the area would have nothing but positive effects for tourism, but I agree with the idea that nearly everyone will still drive there.

Conor Shinnick · Answer

@Michael Baum That runway is only 40ft shorter than both runways at LGA and 200ft shorter than DCA, which means any 737 or A320 that the low cost carriers fly will have no issues. I'm sure the major airlines would also enter the market with regional jets. For airlines, a terminal building and large parking lots would need to be built whereas a control tower is preferred but not required.

Airline service directly to the area would have nothing but positive effects for tourism, but I agree with the idea that nearly everyone will still drive there.

How will the new airport help Gulf Shores tourism?

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