$30 million has been approved to commence construction of a Mobile Aeroplex project which will enable the Mobile Airport Authority(MMA) to relocate their commercial carriers from Mobile Regional Airport to the Mobile Downtown Airport at Brookley Aeroplex. This relocation project plan which was approved earlier in the year by the Federal Aviation Administration(FFA) is intended to cover the next ten years of development.
The approved Mobile airport relocation plan for the Mobile Aeroplex project will feature a smaller but more efficient five-gate international terminal, spanning about 130,000 Square feet when compared with the Mobile Regional Airport. According to Chris Curry, the MMA president, the inputs received from the community leaders, business owners, and residents; provided useful feedback to the development team and helped to create the best possible plans for premium air service from the Mobile Airport project.
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Mobile Aeroplex project to receive upto 90% funding from FFA
The multiphase Mobile Aeroplex project is to be completed over a 10 year period, with an overall cost estimate of about $403 million. The FFA will cover upto 90% of the project cost, while the rest of the funding will come from the city’s general fund. Phase I of this project is estimated at $252 million and will cover the construction of the terminal, a parking garage, a space for surface parking, and the expansion of the tarmac. In addition, Federal Inspection Services operations will also be involved in the terminal’s design to ensure that it meets the eligibility criteria for becoming an international terminal. This new Mobile Downtown Airport terminal is expected to open by the first quarter of 2024.
The Mobile City Mayor, Sandy Simpson supported the Mobile Aeroplex project and commended the Mobile Airport Authority for their commitment to the city. Simpson said that the city was prepared to offer the necessary support to make this game-changing transition possible. He pointed out the benefits of the Mobile airport relocation plan, stating that Mobilians will have more flight options with lower airfares. Simpson also mentioned that the project will help seize future tourism and economic opportunities by harnessing the already existing relationship between the Port of Mobile and the Brookley Aeroplex.
