01/27/2026
Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF) almost doubled passenger estimates with more than 80,000 fliers in 2025, almost half of whom had never visited Alabama's beaches before.
With a spring 2025 launch that led to an expansion of routes, the airport saw a "stellar first season by all measures."
"Numbers exceeded our initial expectations substantially," said Jesse Fosnaugh, GUF's airport director. "When Allegiant first announced air service in November of 2024, we had estimated around 45,000 passengers would travel through the airport in 2025."
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism expects a higher number of guests to be reported in 2025.
"Nights booked by guests increased year over year, and nights available also increased," vice president of marketing Crystal Hinds said. "The hotel occupancy rate in 2025 was flat compared to 2024."
Fosnaugh confirmed the airport brought in new visitors, as 43% of fliers visited the Alabama Gulf Coast for the first time.
Average flights had about 120 passengers, filling the planes to about 70%. The best performing routes last year were Kansas City, Missouri (MCI), and St. Louis/Belleville, Illinois (BLV).
✍: Ruth Mayo / Gulf Coast Media
📸: Micah Green / GCM archive, May 2025
