It’s not uncommon for a city to have more than one airport. Orlando, for example, has two major airports—Orlando International and Sanford International—along with smaller airports like Orlando Executive and Kissimmee Gateway, which both serve private jets and planes. Larger cities, like New York and London, have even more: New York City has three major airports, while London has six.
But why would a city with a metropolitan population of less than 500,000 have two operating commercial airports?
That’s exactly what’s happened in Mobile, Alabama, since 2019, when Mobile International Airport (BFM) began receiving commercial flights.
Before that, Mobile’s primary airport was Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), which primarily offered feeder flights to major airline hubs like Atlanta (Delta), Dallas and Charlotte (American), and Houston and Washington Dulles (United).
Mobile Regional Airport
These flights still operate from MOB, but low-cost carriers have shifted to BFM. Despite financial support from the city, the airport has experienced difficulty keeping airlines flying to the new airport. Frontier Airlines, the first carrier to fly from BFM, began offering connections to Denver and Chicago in 2019. However, in early 2020, Frontier suspended its service. Avelo Airlines began service to Orlando in May 2023 and operated until March 2024. At that time, Breeze Airways took over the route but has announced it will end service on January 31, 2025.
So, with no flights set to operate at BFM, you might think it’s a setback. But this lull provides a silver lining for those working on expanding the airport. BFM has been operating out of a renovated building that was partially occupied by Airbus and transformed into Terminal 1. Now the Mobile Airport Authority is in the middle of constructing a new terminal with six gates, which will be designed to handle significantly more traffic and improve the airport’s capabilities.
Mobile International Airport rendering – Mobile Airport Authority
The new terminal is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and open to the public by March 2026. Although construction was slowed due to working around a functioning airport, the current lack of commercial flights will allow crews to work more efficiently.
Once the new terminal is complete, the authority plans to shift flights from MOB to BFM, which is closer to the city. This consolidation aims to attract more flights from both major and low-cost carriers.
There’s no word on whether other airlines have expressed interest in flying into BFM. Devon Calametti, a spokeswoman for the Mobile Airport Authority, told FOX10 News that losing an airline is disappointing, but she added that it will help expedite completion of the terminal. She said the airport remains open to a different airline.
“Conversations are always ongoing,” she said.
So, that’s why Mobile, Alabama has two airports—and will continue to do so until the new terminal at BFM is finished.
Cover Photo by Terrence Bowen: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouettes-of-people-near-an-airplane-6861306/
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