Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport

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IATA: GPT - ICAO: KGPT
Summary
Airport type		Public
Operator		Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport Authority
Serves		Gulfport, Mississippi
Elevation AMSL		28 ft (8.5 m)
Coordinates		30°24′26.2″N, 89°04′12.4″W
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
Direction	ft	m	Surface
14/32	9,002	2,744	Asphalt/Concrete
18/36	4,935	1,504	Asphalt

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (IATA: GPT, ICAO: KGPT) is a public airport located in northern Gulfport near Biloxi, in Harrison County, Mississippi, USA. In 2006, 797,845 total passengers utilized the airport, a 3.5% increase over 2005.[1]

[edit] History

The airport opened in 1942 as a training facility for the Army Air Corps; it was converted to a commercial airport in 1949. 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 will be at 120% of seats available pre-Katrina. Gulfport-Biloxi International 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. The airport hosts the Mississippi Air National Guard.