Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport

Infobox Airport
name = Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport


IATA = GPT
ICAO = KGPT
FAA = GPT
type = Public
owner = Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport Authority
operator =
city-served = Gulfport, Mississippi
location =
elevation-f = 28
elevation-m = 9
coordinates = coord|30|24|26|N|089|04|12|W|region:US_type:airport
website = [http://www.flygpt.com/ www.FlyGPT.com]
r1-number = 14/32
r1-length-f = 9,002
r1-length-m = 2,744
r1-surface = Asphalt/Concrete
r2-number = 18/36
r2-length-f = 4,935
r2-length-m = 1,504
r2-surface = Asphalt
stat-year = 2006
stat1-header = Aircraft operations
stat1-data = 85,809
stat2-header = Based aircraft
stat2-data = 35
stat3-header = Annual Passengers
stat3-data = 911,961
footnotes = Sources: airport web site [http://www.flygpt.com/ Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport] , official site] and FAAFAA-airport|ID=GPT|use=PU|own=PU|site=11253.*A, effective 2008-04-10]

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport airport codes|GPT|KGPT|GPT is a public use airport located three nautical miles (6 km) northeast of the central business district of Gulfport, a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, United States. It is owned by the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport Authority.

In 2007, a total of 911,961 passengers utilized the airport, a 15.9% increase over 2006. [http://www.flygpt.com/STatistics/Stats.htm]

History

Originally constructed in 1942 to train B-25 and B-29 flight crews for WWII, Gulfport Field was conveyed from the War Department to the City of Gulfport in 1949 for use as a civil airport. The City negotiated airline service contracts with Southern Airways and later National Airlines to provide passenger and cargo service to the Coast beginning in the early 1950s. Through the late 1970s, Southern Airways continued as the primary airline, followed by successors Republic and Northwest into the 1990s. Beginning in 1953, the Mississippi National Guard developed a training activity which has grown into a high-tech Combat Readiness Training Center, one of four in the Nation. Military traffic has expanded each year, and now more than 20,000 Air Guard and Reserve flight personnel are trained at the base annually. Within 10 minutes, supersonic fighters and in-flight refuelers can simulate a combat environment over the Gulf of Mexico or at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, MS. Additionally, the Army National Guard established the Aviation Classification Repair Depot operation which repairs several types of combat and transport helicopters for military activities throughout the Southeast and Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Katrina

The airport was closed for repairs (or reconstruction) following severe damage by Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005. On September 8, 2005, the airport reopened for commercial flights on Northwest Airlines to Memphis and other airlines quickly followed suit. On February 1, 2006, Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport was back to 100% of pre-Katrina seats. As of September 12, 2006, the Airport was at 120% of seats available pre-Katrina. Currently, the airport is thriving with many non-stop flights to numerous destinations, and is undergoing extensive renovation scheduled for completion in 2007. All pre-Katrina carriers are back in operation as well as new carriers.

Facilities and aircraft

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport covers an area of convert|1700|acre|km2 at an elevation of 28 feet (9 m) above mean sea level. It has two runways: 14/32 with a 9,002 x 150 ft (2,744 x 46 m) asphalt/concrete surface and 18/36 with a 4,935 x 150 ft (1,504 x 46 m) asphalt surface.For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006, the airport had 85,809 aircraft operations, an average of 235 per day: 62% general aviation, 19% military, 12% air taxi and 7% scheduled commercial. At that time there were 35 aircraft based at this airport: 46% single-engine, 23% multi-engine, 3% jet, 17% helicopter and 11% military.

Cargo Facility

A convert|40000|sqft|m2|sing=on cargo facility will be completed by 4th Quarter 2008 at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. The cargo facility includes convert|20000|sqft|m2 of chiller space, convert|20000|sqft|m2 of cargo sorting and distribution space, and convert|6000|sqft|m2 of office space. Airside access from the runway system has been designed with safety and efficiency in mind. The ramp can facilitate two MD11s or DC10s or one B747. The area is also expandable with convert|120|acre|km2 reserved for air cargo on airport.

Airlines and destinations

cheduled passenger service

* AirTran Airways (Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa)
* Allegiant Air (Orlando-Sanford)
* American Airlines
** American Eagle (Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth)
* Continental Airlines
** Continental Express operated by ExpressJet Airlines (Houston-Intercontinental)
* Delta Air Lines (Atlanta)
** Delta Connection operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines (Atlanta)
* Northwest Airlines
** Northwest Airlink operated by Pinnacle Airlines (Memphis)
*US Airways
**US Airways Express operated by PSA Airlines (Charlotte)

Air taxi service

* DayJet offers nonstop per seat VLJ jet service beginning in July 2008 (to 14 cities in 3 states)

ee also

* Mississippi World War II Army Airfields

References

External links

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