b'78 JKAHANGARS Future OpportunitiesThe airport developed a primitive 24-acre parcel into nearly Now that the Southwest Corporate Hangar Complex is completely129,000 square feet of hangar and office space. leased, JKA is preparing to open up other land for future development. We have no further available parcels, so our next phase of development for the next 10 to 15 years is going to be the north side of the airport, Fletcher says.During a recent Airport Layout Plan update, it was established that all future development will be focused primarily on private aviation alongside a push for adding commercial service. We are currently building a commercial terminal as well, Fletcher shares, adding that industrial aviation will be kept on the east side of the airport. He explains that JKAs Gulf Coast location near the last white sand beach before the Mississippi River is driving commercialInternational Airport, both of which are an hour from the pristine demand, with 8.5 million people visiting the tourist destinationGulf Shores beaches.annually. Fletcher hopes to save visitors that extra drive time.We have pristine beaches that are very family friendly, heFingers crossed, we will have exciting announcements to notes. And theres a lot of activity with condos and hotels.make in the near future, he says of the project that is currently Our location drives demand for people wanting to be here, andin design. Getting commercial service here in Gulf Shores has Baldwin County as a whole is just growing rapidly. been in demand for several years. We are in talks with multiple Until JKA lands a commercial carrier, tourists visiting theairlines, so this airport will continue to be an economic engine for Gulf Shores must use Mobile Regional Airport or PensacolaAlabamas Gulf Coast. EXPERIENCED | TIME-TESTEDFULLY INTEGRATED HANGAR & DOOR SYSTEMSHANGAR&DOOR GarverUSA.comEXPERTS 1957 2023Helping communities START TO FINISH EXPERTISESingle-source for Design, Manufacturing, & On-Site Servicestake flight800.274.0144|FULFAB.COMMay | June 2024AirportImprovement.com'