Author: loerenkf-ca

Amid a promising future, the Port of Huntsville is hard at work on a wide array of capital improvement projects. These initiatives reflect the region’s rapid growth in both industry and passenger traffic. Currently, projects under contract or in construction represent a total investment exceeding $24.6 million.

Projects slated for completion in FY26 include:

But that’s not all, there are several big projects in progress or set to begin in FY26 that will improve the passenger experience at Huntsville International Airport:

• Airport Fire Fighting and Rescue (ARFF) Station
• Parking Deck Expansion
• Badging Office Relocation
• Wayfinding, FIDS and GIDS Upgrades
• More Restaurant and Retail Concessions
• Perimeter Fence Replacement Phase 3
• Concourse Improvements Project
• Terminal Escalator Renovation

Huntsville International Airport (HSV) is taking major steps to enhance the comfort, convenience, and overall experience for travelers with a series of significant concourse improvements. These upgrades, part of a comprehensive effort to modernize the terminal, reflect the airport’s commitment to maintaining its status as one of the nation’s top small airports.

Key projects include the concourse restroom expansion and renovation, designed to provide more space, modern amenities, and improved accessibility for all passengers. The installation of new escalators and elevators ensures smoother, faster movement between levels, while the addition of breach-controlled exit lanes enhances security without compromising convenience.

In partnership with leading contractors and engineering firms, HSV is investing in both aesthetics and functionality. The updates integrate modern design elements that create a bright, welcoming environment, while advanced technology and infrastructure improvements improve operational efficiency.

Passengers will also benefit from an expanded food, beverage, and retail presence, offering more dining options and local selections. This investment not only improves the traveler experience but also supports the local economy by highlighting North Alabama brands.

“The concourse improvements at HSV are about more than just infrastructure,” said Airport CEO Butch Roberts. “They represent our dedication to providing a safe, comfortable, and modern airport experience for every passenger who passes through our doors.”

With these enhancements, HSV continues to meet the evolving needs of travelers, while preparing for future growth in passenger traffic, airline services, and regional connectivity. The concourse upgrades are a visible reminder that Huntsville International is committed to excellence in both service and operations.

An emphasis on safety first is at the heart of every successful airport, and Huntsville International Airport (HSV) has made significant strides in aligning with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Safety Management System (SMS) framework. The FAA SMS is a structured, proactive approach designed to identify, assess, and mitigate safety risks across all facets of airport operations.

Unlike traditional reactive safety methods, SMS emphasizes prevention through data-driven decision-making, continuous monitoring, and risk management. It provides a formalized framework that ensures safety is not only maintained but continuously improved, integrating safety into the daily operations, planning, and culture of the airport.

At HSV, the SMS implementation includes:

• Risk Management: Identifying potential hazards and evaluating their likelihood and potential impact on operations.
• Safety Assurance: Regular audits, inspections, and reviews ensure that safety protocols are effective and continuously refined.
• Safety Promotion: Training, communication, and engagement initiatives foster a strong safety culture among airport staff, tenants, and partners.
• Safety Policy: Clearly defined objectives, responsibilities, and procedures support compliance with FAA regulations and industry best practices.

The FAA SMS framework enables HSV to not only meet federal safety standards but also anticipate emerging risks in aviation. From runway maintenance to terminal operations, aircraft ground handling, and passenger services, the SMS ensures a comprehensive, organization-wide approach to safety.

Since implementing the SMS, HSV has maintained a record of zero discrepancies during FAA Part 139 inspections and achieved FAA approval for its Safety Management Systems Implementation Plan. These milestones reflect the airport’s commitment to operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and the highest standards of passenger and employee safety.

By embedding SMS principles into everyday operations, HSV continues to strengthen its reputation as one of the nation’s safest, most reliable airports, providing travelers, airlines, and partners with confidence and peace of mind.

As foreign trade dominated headlines in early 2025, Foreign Trade Zones again proved their value as a vital cost-saving link in the logistics supply chain.

By offering Foreign Trade Zone No. 83 as one of its contract operations, the Port of Huntsville continues to provide businesses with a competitive advantage in international trade. POH was proud to welcome new FTZ Operating Agreements with ADTRAN, Corporate Warehouse, and First Solar.

The HUVR Center at Huntsville International Airport continues to expand its footprint in the unmanned aircraft industry, welcoming Australian aerospace company Boresight as a new tenant alongside Skyfire AI.

In commercial aviation, HSV had a lot of superlatives and firsts to celebrate. Air service to Huntsville International Airport continued its upward trend with robust increases in availability of seats in our market and interest in flying. There were 1,672,438 passengers flying HSV from July 2024 through June 2025, combining enplaned and deplaned. By comparison, there were 1,538,851 in FY24, an increase of 6.3%.

• HSV was voted #1 Best Small Airport in the U.S. in the 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards online poll for the second year in a row.
• HSV surpassed all previous one-month passenger records with 160,455 passengers in the month of June 2025.

The initiative addressed the challenge of integrating two standalone sites into a single, cohesive online presence. Partnering with Red Sage Communications, Inc., the Port developed a modern, user-focused website that enhances accessibility, navigation, and functionality.

Customers seeking information on cargo operations, commercial site selection, warehousing, distribution, and services offered through the International Intermodal Center can now access the site at portofhuntsville.com. Commercial air travelers looking for flight information, airport amenities, facility details, and frequently asked questions can visit flyhuntsville.com.

Reflecting the Port’s role as a regional transportation hub, the new website provides a comprehensive view of its interconnected operations. The site’s refreshed visual design draws inspiration from the architecture of the airport terminal and the Port of Huntsville logo, creating a consistent and recognizable brand identity.

Accessibility and inclusivity were key priorities in the redesign. The website incorporates features that allow users of all abilities to navigate with ease, along with translation capabilities to better serve a multilingual audience. Additional enhancements include streamlined contact forms, a centralized newsroom, and an improved content structure designed to deliver a seamless user experience.

The new website was recognized with an Honorable Mention in the MarCom Awards, one of the industry’s largest and most respected international competitions for creative marketing and communication work. The award reflects the website’s strong strategy, design, and execution in a field that attracts thousands of entries annually.

For the past few years, Huntsville International Airport has invested in the less-dynamic construction and rehabilitation projects that ensure the safety and comfort of customers. In FY25, it was time to beautify the terminal and begin the process of bringing passenger amenities up to date.

Huntsville International Airport also invests regularly in upkeep of pavement to ensure flight safety and sustainability of the Airport’s financial future. After all, an airport in disrepair cannot expect to be voted among the top airports in the U.S. as is HSV, five years running.

Here are major Airport Terminal, pavement and other construction projects completed this fiscal year:

Huntsville International Airport (HSV) received discretionary grant awards totaling $19,790,207 during fiscal year 2025.

Grant 97 awarded to HSV attributed to the Federal Airport Improvement Program provided $9,037,373 in funding for the rehabilitation of Runway 18L-36R, also known as the East Runway. Rogers Group was the general contractor with engineering services provided by Garver LLC.

Grant 100 provided $9,302,834 million in funding for a new Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Station.

For the first time ever, HSV was awarded a SEEDS Grant in the amount of $650,000 for the purpose of developing a commercial site on the western side of the Port of Huntsville property. Funds are being used to grade a greenfield and develop electrical, sewer, and water infrastructure to support a large commercial project.

The Alabama Department of Transportation awarded HSV with an ALDOT Grant in the amount of $450,000 to be used for the rehabilitation of the Perimeter Fence.

Huntsville International Airport won a competitive SCASD grant provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation in the amount of $1 million. The funds are provided to supplement marketing dollars to advertise nonstop service to New York City’s LaGuardia Airport on Delta Air Lines.

Port of Huntsville revenue-producing activities contributed $21,543,669 to the Capital Improvement Account. POH achieved a debt service coverage of 18.78, the best ever for the airport. The FY25 financial audit was completed with zero deficiencies.

HSV has maintained its position among the top 25 airports in the continental U.S. for international air cargo volume in a report by Airports Council International. HSV moved 30,398 metric tons of air cargo received from or bound for international destinations in 2024 in the contiguous United States. For comparison, the top airports moving over 665,000 metric tons of international cargo were Miami, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Memphis (home of FedEx) and Louisville (home of UPS).

The City of Huntsville Beautification Board continued recognition of three Port of Huntsville granite monuments and landscaping with Beautification Awards. Recognized were the Huntsville International Airport entrance on Glenn Hearn Blvd., the International Intermodal Center entrance on Wall Triana Blvd., and the Signature Flight Support entrance on Houston Goodson Way.

Huntsville International Airport was voted #1 Best Small Airport in the U.S. in the 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards for a second consecutive year.

The Airport completed several major pavement projects in FY25 including the the completion of the Taxiway Whiskey Rehabilitation Project ($9.8 million) and the building of a 300- Space Surface Parking Lot Expansion ($1.8 million).

HSV completed the Terminal/Concourse Improvements Phase 1, a project of $14.2 million that included the installation of Breach Controlled Exit Lanes ($850,000) and the Concourse Restroom Expansion and Renovation ($5.7 million).

The Airport entered into an agreement for airport advertising concessions with Clear Channel ($1.9 million) to include updating the Baggage Claim Community Wall with new monitors and tension fabric display, updating the Public Waiting History Wall with a new monitor, and installing LED columns in the Grand Hall.

HSV received acceptance by the FAA of its Safety Management Systems Manual and SMS Policy Statement. Huntsville International Airport completed the annual TSA CFR Part 1542 inspection with zero (0) violations that resulted in a Letter of Warning. These milestones reflect the Airport’s commitment to operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and the highest standards of passenger and employee safety.

More than 1.6 million (1,672,438) passengers traveled through HSV with an annual increase of 6.3% in traffic over FY24.

The availability of more seats and more flights is the main reason for the increase in passenger numbers, said Huntsville International Airport CEO Butch Roberts.

“We have just seen 11 continuous months of all-time, record-setting passenger numbers, and if our airlines are doing well, they will add more capacity,” Roberts said. “For example, airlines have already made 10.6% more seats available to customers this January than were available in January 2024.”

Delta Air Lines moved to larger, mainline aircraft between Huntsville and Atlanta from the second quarter of 2024 on, and American Airlines added frequencies to Charlotte and Dallas. The addition of Breeze Airways’ seasonal nonstop flights to Los Angeles helped increase passenger numbers last year.

“Breeze has brought North Alabama nonstop flights to the most popular vacation destinations in the U.S., and their presence has influenced the fares of our other carriers,” said Joey Ceci, Board Chair for Huntsville International Airport. “We are seeing the fruits of our collective work to make Huntsville more competitive in the air fare market.”

“More people are shopping Huntsville air fares first and flying Huntsville because the assumptions that they have had about fares when flying locally are outdated,” he added. “It’s just the tip of the iceberg of what this market demand could be; if our market will continue to support flying local, the airlines will take note and continue to add more frequency, larger equipment with more seats to offer, and hopefully, additional nonstop routes.”

Airport leadership believes that the Huntsville and North Alabama market – as well as the airport infrastructure –supports the addition of more flights and additional nonstop service in the years to come.

“We are seeing potential for growth already in the first six months of 2025 with the addition of Delta Air Lines’ daily nonstop service to New York City and the return of Breeze Airways’ summer nonstop flights to LAX,” Roberts said.

“We appreciate the investment made in our community by our airline partners, and we appreciate our passengers choosing to fly Huntsville,” Roberts added. “More people are beginning to understand the economic benefit of choosing Huntsville – their time is worth something, and we are convenient and close to home.”

“Our Airport is gaining momentum, and if we can keep receiving our community’s support, we can grow, too,” he said.

HSV announced in 2024 that a 10-year contract for new airport concessions was awarded to Tailwind Hospitality, headquartered in Wilmington, N.C.

“At Huntsville International, we know that our customers want to be able to enjoy their favorite food and beverages while in their favorite airport, and with Tailwind Hospitality as our concessions partner, we are able to begin providing updated, upscale amenities within months,” said Butch Roberts, Huntsville International Airport CEO.

Every aspect of food and beverage offered in the airport will be addressed in the new concessions plan. Construction will completely revamp the existing restaurant and bar with a fresh new décor scheme and replace the current short order kitchen with a full line kitchen capable of dishing up gourmet, made-to-order selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ingredients will be sourced locally. A phased plan means that fresh food and beverages will be available throughout construction.

“There will be a dramatic transformation of the airport concessions at HSV in the next 18 months.” said Tailwind CEO Jeff Switzer. “We are proud to be able to help expand amenities at the airport, building out things that haven’t been here before, and with local brands. “

Additionally, new food and beverage options will enhance offerings including a pre-security coffee shop adjacent to the Public Waiting area. A completely new pizza bar, Interstellar Pizza, has been built near Gate 10 in the concourse. New sundry/souvenir stores will occupy the existing retail facilities, but both pre-security and post-security shopping will undergo complete renovation to create bright, open spaces with conveniently-placed merchandise for the on-the-go traveler. Tailwind has a mission to add more local products in the retail spaces, too.

Tailwind Hospitality is a leading food, beverage and retail airport and transit station concessionaire to 59 U.S. locations providing first-rate services and high-quality products for more than two decades. Tailwind works with more than 40 popular consumer brands including Starbucks, Dunkin’ and Caribou Coffee, Smashburger, Jersey Mike’s, Pei Wi Asian Kitchen, Baskin Robbins and Sambazon, as well as Amazon Just Walk Out shopping and Vera Bradley. Tailwind is headquartered in Wilmington, N.C.

“Tailwind celebrates the communities in which we are located by prioritizing the sourcing of local goods,” Switzer said. “We strive to give a sense of place. We really want to work collaboratively with the Airport to represent Huntsville and North Alabama properly. Huntsville is a smart community, and we look forward to becoming a part of it.”

The North Alabama inland port saw 22.3% more rail lifts in 2024 (33,745) than in 2023 (27,597). On March 19, 2025, the IIC surpassed a historic milestone of one million lifts.

“More than 400 companies trust our capabilities to provide timely and economical service that is vital to their operations,” said Joey Ceci, Board Chair of the Port of Huntsville. “Phenomenal, double-digit growth like we have seen for the past two years validates this for us and encourages us to be an even better partner in the years to come.”

Currently the only inland port in North Alabama, the Port of Huntsville provides a single-hub location specializing in receiving, transferring, storing and distributing international and domestic cargo via air, rail and highway. The intermodal complex is equipped with a five-mile rail spur connected to the Norfolk Southern Railroad mainline allowing easy access to ports on both East and West coasts of the United States.

“North Alabama continues to emerge as one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions—with thriving industries from aerospace to automotive —and our results in 2024 highlight sustained momentum despite global supply chain disruptions,” said Shawn Tureman, Vice President of Automotive & Intermodal Marketing for Norfolk Southern Corporation. “Building on a record-breaking year, our strengthened partnership with the Port of Huntsville is giving Alabama and Tennessee businesses seamless access to major U.S. seaports, and we’ve invested in enhancing our service product in this region. As we move into 2025, we’re committed to delivering more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective intermodal solutions that accelerate speed to market and drive sustained regional growth.”

Desirable, state-of-the-art amenities include a rail cargo terminal and ramp, U.S. Customs and Border Protection onsite, Foreign Trade Zone No. 83, and 436,000 square feet of air cargo warehouse and distribution facilities with 35,000 square feet of cold storage available. The Port of Huntsville is located alongside I-565 permitting convenient, uncongested access to the interstate highway system.

“Thanks to Norfolk Southern service and our collaboration with 14 steamship companies, rail traffic has grown steadily year over year,” said Butch Roberts, CEO of the Port of Huntsville. “We have spent $230 million on air freight infrastructure and over $70 million on rail intermodal infrastructure. A prosperous future for HSV is ensured by these developments as well as the availability of first-rate facilities including a depot storage yard and U.S. Customs on site.”

The International Intermodal Center at the Port of Huntsville has proudly connected the rapidly growing Huntsville community and the Tennessee Valley region with the rest of the world for 39 years – providing quality, multi-modal transportation to a diverse regional customer base – and stimulating its economic growth and development.

“Our partnerships with local government and community organizations have enabled us to collaborate closely and create the kind of economic growth and prosperity that cities across the nation are desirous of,” Roberts said. “We are eager to keep working to provide even greater growth and employment opportunities in the areas we serve.”