Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport - Birmingham, AL - Public airport



Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport serves the city of Birmingham and the surrounding area. With some 3 million passengers passing through its doors every year and over 100 flights daily to cities throughout the US, it's the largest and most well-served airport in Alabama.

Birmingham International Airport was opened for commercial flights on May 31st, 1931, and has been growing ever since. The creation of the Birmingham Airport Authority in 1986 saw rapid expansion of the airport, and it grew from offering only 38 departures daily to around 81 in the year 2000, and the number of passengers served has also increased with the record of 3.23 million set in 2007. Expansion is currently underway to cope with the ever-increasing numbers, which should see both a runway and air cargo facility expansion. In 2008 the airport changed its name to what we know today, being a tribute to the civil rights activist Fred Shuttlesworth.

As it stands the airport is home to two runways, one 12,002 ft long and the other 7,100 ft. These are capable of handling all types of aircraft and see around 140 daily flights, including both direct and connection flights to cities all over the US. The 7 airlines in the airport operate from 19 gates and include Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, American Airlines and United Express. As a cargo airport as well its major shippers include DHL Express, BAX Global and Continental Cargo, and operate out of a 50,000 square foot eight-bay cargo building.

Inside the terminal passengers can enjoy a food court with options of both hot and cold food, as well as gift shops, newsagents and sit-down restaurants. Wi-Fi access is available throughout the airport as is a business center, with workstations, copy and fax facilities and a FedEx package drop off point, among the other services on offer.

Parking is not a problem with both easy-access and remote parking options. There are 5,600 spaces available in the parking deck for both hourly and daily parking, and the remote lot is home to a further 900 spaces with complimentary shuttle service to get you to and from the terminal. There's even a cell phone lot where drivers can wait free of charge for any passengers arriving, so long as they stay with their vehicle. Hourly parking costs $1 per hour up to $24 per day, or long stay parking costs up to $12 a day.

To get there without driving there are limousine and shuttle services, both available by prior reservation. There's a taxi rank outside the baggage claim area, as well as a number of rental car companies located on the ground floor of the terminal again by baggage collection.

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport serves millions of passengers every year and it seems to be only growing in popularity. With all the usual amenities of an airport and flights to destinations all over the US it's clear to see why further expansion is on the cards.

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