Gulf Shores International Airport achieved a significant milestone today, celebrating its inaugural flight with Allegiant Airlines and officially unveiling its new terminal during a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony. The first commercial passengers, arriving from McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, TN, received a warm welcome from a large gathering of community leaders and enjoyed a lively celebration that included a ceremonial water cannon salute.

“After years of working toward this goal, seeing the first commercial flight touch down is incredibly exciting,” said Mayor Robert Craft. “Residents will have more convenient travel options, and visitors will find it easier than ever to reach Alabama’s beaches to experience our local businesses, restaurants, and everything that makes this place special.”

Today marks more than just the arrival of a plane — it symbolizes years of hard work, community vision, and a shared commitment to connecting Gulf Shores to the rest of the country. The crowd’s energy and the community’s pride were unmistakable as they welcomed this historic flight, signaling a bright future for travel and tourism in the region.

The day was primarily dedicated to celebrating the inaugural flight, but attendees were also surprised with Allegiant announcing two new routes from Gulf Shores. In addition to the previously announced destinations—Knoxville, Cincinnati, Houston, Bentonville/Fayetteville, Belleville/St. Louis, and Kansas City—travelers can now look forward to nonstop service to Appleton, Wisconsin, and Des Moines, Iowa, starting in October. These flights provide travelers with easy, affordable access to Alabama’s beaches and give local residents new options for vacations, family visits, and business trips.

“Adding additional destinations this soon is absolutely amazing! The fact that these are in the heart of our winter markets adds greatly to our goals of becoming more of a year-round destination,” said Craft. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Allegiant as they grow within our market.” 

With the addition of these new nonstop routes, Gulf Shores International Airport now offers the third most routes in Alabama, surpassing both Mobile and Montgomery airports. For more information about Gulf Shores International Airport, visit flyGUF.com. Book your tickets today at allegiantair.com.