| Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport | |||
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| USGS satellite image as of June 29, 2006 | |||
| IATA: BHM – ICAO: KBHM – FAA LID: BHM
BHM
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| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Owner | Birmingham Airport Authority | ||
| Serves | Birmingham, Alabama | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 644 ft / 196 m | ||
| Website | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 6/24 | 12,002 | 3,658 | Asphalt |
| 18/36 | 7,100 | 2,164 | Asphalt |
| Statistics (2009, 2010) | |||
| Aircraft operations (2009) | 123,133 | ||
| Based aircraft (2009) | 248 | ||
| Passengers (2010) | 2,950,429 | ||
| Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1]; Birmingham Airport Authority[2], ACI[3] | |||
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (IATA: BHM, ICAO: KBHM, FAA LID: BHM), formerly Birmingham Municipal Airport and later Birmingham International Airport, is the major airport that serves Birmingham, Alabama and Central Alabama, United States. A joint civil-military facility, it is located five miles (8 km) northeast of downtown Birmingham, near the interchange of I-20 and I-59. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport currently operates 136 flights daily to 43 airports in 40 cities.[4] BHM served 3,222,689 passengers in 2007, and is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Alabama.[5] It has also been mentioned by Atlanta talk show host Clark Howard as a cheap alternate airport for Atlanta travelers due to the presence of Southwest Airlines. The airport was renamed in July 2008 after Fred Shuttlesworth. The Southern Museum of Flight is located on Airport Authority property, adjacent on the east side of the North-South runway. The airfield is capable of handling all aircraft types. The main runway is 12,002 feet (3,658 m) long.[6] The secondary runway is 7,100 feet (2,200 m) long. A Category II instrument landing system allows operations in visibility as low as a quarter mile.
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The first commercial air service to Birmingham began in 1928 by St. Tammy and Gulf Coast Airways, operating through Roberts Field on the west side of Birmingham on a route from Atlanta, Georgia to New Orleans, Louisiana.[7] Delta Air Service began service to Birmingham in late 1929 with six seat Travel Air airplanes along a route stretching from Love Field in Dallas, Texas to Birmingham.[8] When American Airways (now American Airlines) began their Atlanta, Georgia to Fort Worth, Texas route, Birmingham was not included in the route because their Ford Tri-Motor aircraft could not land at Roberts Field. As a result of this development, Birmingham began construction of a new airport, Birmingham Municipal Airport on the current Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport site.[9]
The new airport opened with great public fanfare on May 31, 1931 with a single two story, white, Georgian style terminal and a single east-west runway. The terminal stood immediately east of the later 1962 and 1971 terminal complexes.[10][11] No remains of the 1931 terminal or landscaping are visible. With the addition of American Airlines in 1931 and Eastern Airlines in 1934, air traffic increased enough to warrant a second runway.[9]
World War II saw the airport leased to the United States Army Air Forces for $1 a year to support national defense. Birmingham Army Airfield was a section assigned to the Third Air Force as a fighter base, operated by the 310th Army Air Force Base Unit. The Army Air Force considerably improved the airport with land acquisitions, paving of additional taxiways, and construction of a control tower and an aircraft modification center south of the terminal (this is now operated by Pemco).[9]
After the airport was returned to city control in August 1948, Southern Airways began service to the airport.[9] By March 1951, four runways were in operation, Runways 5/23 (now designated 6/24) and 18/36, as well as additional runways at approximately 45/225 degrees on the north side of Runway 5/23 and 85/265 degrees primarily south of Runway 5/23. Runway lengths were all approximately 4,000 feet (1,200 m) to 5,500 feet (1,700 m). The runway at 45/225 degrees is now largely removed, though a paved portion remains crossing taxiway F near the Alabama Air National Guard facilities, used as a location for airport equipment and helicopter landing/parking. The runway at 85/265 is also mostly removed, with remaining segments making up taxiway A5 and a portion of taxiway F east of Runway 18/36.[10][12]
By 1959, Runway 5/23 was lengthened to 10,000 feet (3,000 m) and service was started to Birmingham by Capital Airlines. Capital’s merger with United Air Lines resulted in the initiation of jet service to Birmingham with the Sud Aviation Caravelle. By the late 1960s, DC-8, DC-9, 727 and Convair 880 jets were in scheduled service at BHM.
During the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion, pilots and crews from Birmingham Airport's 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing were selected to train Cuban exile fliers in Nicaragua to fly the Douglas B-26 Invader in the close air support role. Although the 117th was currently flying the RF-84F Thunderflash, it had only recently retired its RB-26C Invaders, making it the last squadron in the Air Force to do so; thus the 117th was seen as the logical choice for the CIA's secret mission. Seven of the volunteer aviators participated combat operations during the final day of the invasion, on August 19, 1961. Birmingham natives Leo Baker, Wade Gray, Riley Shamburger, and Thomas "Pete" Ray were killed when their (two) aircraft were shot down. While American involvement had been suspected since before the invasion even began, Pete Ray's frozen body was kept as concrete proof of U.S. support. [13]
Continued growth in passenger traffic by 1962 resulted in the construction of a second passenger terminal and a new air traffic control tower,[9] built west of the original 1931 terminal. This was dedicated on February 11, 1962 as the Birmingham Air Terminal. Charles H. McCauley Associates was the supervising architect and Radar & Associates was the designing architect.[14] It consisted of a single story building of repeated bays with steeply pitched roofs, which flanked a wider, higher center bay at the south end of the building for ticketing. A long, flat roofed northern section comprised the ground-level aircraft gates.[15][11] The south portion remains today for various airport support functions.
In 1973 the current semi-circular terminal was completed west of the 1962 terminal and air traffic control tower. It originally had 15 aircraft gates and a 1,600 space parking deck. Allegheny Air (now US Airways) began service from Birmingham to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the late 1970s. Deregulation of the airline industry saw airlines such as Com Air, Florida Express, People Express, Air New Orleans, L'Express Airlines, and most importantly Southwest Airlines enter the Birmingham market.[9] With the introduction of flights to Canada and Mexico, the official name of the airport was changed to Birmingham International Airport on October 20, 1993[16]
In the early 1990s, Runway 18/36 was extended to 7,100 feet, allowing its routine use by airline jets. By the early 2000s, Birmingham had constructed a new 211 feet (64 m) tall control tower and completed significant improvements to the air cargo areas, including an entirely new facility at the far west end. The 1960s blue air traffic control tower was demolished in 2001. In 2006, Birmingham International Airport celebrated its 75th year of serving the central Alabama region. In July 2007, an 2,000-foot (610 m) eastward extension to Runway 6/24 was completed and dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Now at 12,002 feet (3,658 m) in length, Runway 6/24 allows a fully loaded and fueled Boeing 747 to land or takeoff in Birmingham.[9][17]
On June 23, 2008, Birmingham city mayor Larry Langford announced his proposal to rename the airport as the Fred L. Shuttlesworth International Airport, in honor of civil rights activist Fred Shuttlesworth.[18] On July 16, 2008, Mayor Langford and the Birmingham Airport Authority voted to change the name of the airport from the Birmingham International Airport to the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport after the former civil rights activist. The name change cost about $300,000.[19] In October 2008, the airport was officially renamed again to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. The FAA approved the name change and signage of the airport took place on April 3, 2009.
There is a $201.6 million dollar terminal renovation project in progress. This project includes a renovation and upgrade to the airport's existing concourse C, as well as completely new concourses A and B. There will also be changes made to the interior lobby and ticketing area of the main terminal building, as well as improving the way passengers get from the parking deck to the terminal. More security screening areas, concessions, as well as US customs offices will be added.[20] The new airport is said to be built with new efficient building standards, making it one of the greenest airports in the country.[21] As of August 2011 the project is well underway, with Terminal A, the old cargo terminal, and Concourse B already demolished.[22] For more information regarding this project, see the project's website, or the project's photo gallery. The first phase of construction should be completed by December 2012 with the entire modernization project complete by 2014.[23]
An aircraft modification facility on the southwest side of the airport, originally built during World War II, is now operated by Pemco Aeroplex and owned by Nader Banilohi, with much of its recent work in support of the U.S. Air Force KC-135 fleet.
Atlantic Aviation operates two general aviation fixed base operator facilities, and there are numerous corporate hangars north of Runway 6-24 and east of Runway 18-36. AirMed International, a fixed-wing air ambulance company, operates its main hub from here.
BHM currently has one terminal building with one concourse. The landside terminal (the area before the security threshold) has two levels. The upper level has ticketing and check-in facilities, restaurants and bars, business centers and meeting rooms, as well as a observation lounge. The lower level has baggage claim facilities, areas to book ground transportation such as rental car and taxicabs, and local and regional hospitality facilities. The airport also has its own police force with offices on the lower level of the terminal.
The only concourse currently in operation is Concourse C. Concourse A referred to the former 1962 terminal, which was still in use as office space until closed in 2011. Concourse B was closed in June 2011 and demolished alongside Concourse A for the first phase of the terminal modernization project to make way for two new concourses, to be titled Concourses A and B. Upon completion of the modernization project in 2014, the main terminal will be doubled from its current size and will have 3 concourses: A, B and C.
Concourse C has 13 gates: C1-C14. It is the only concourse at the airport in operation and in use during the first phase of the terminal modernization project. Therefore all, commercial and charter services use this concourse.
Future Concourse A is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by 2014. Once completed, all international flights that plan to serve Birmingham will operate out of this concourse.
Former Concourse B consisted of 6 gates, B1-B6. Prior to its closure and demolition, Concourse B was used by Northwest/Northwest Airlink, American/American Eagle, Continental/Continental Express, and US Airways Express. Northwest moved to Concourse C in May 2009 and was merged into Delta a year later. American Airlines moved to Concourse C on June 10, 2011; while US Airways and Continental moved to Concourse C on June 24, 2011.[24] Concourse B was then closed and demolished in August 2011 to make way for the construction for future Concourses A and B.[25]
Future Concourse B is expected to be completed by 2014.
The current 1974 terminal was built in the International style of architecture popular for American commercial and institutional buildings from the 1950s through the late 1970s. It consists of a single curved terminal with concourses radiating outward. Large floor to ceiling plate glass windows form curtain walls on the departure level of the terminal with horizontal bands of repetitive white architectural panels above and below. A slight departure from typical International style, the upper band of panels is decorated with raised circles of four sizes, two circles per size per panel. The roof is flat over the terminal and concourses; a series of steel columns painted white with stay cables for the terminal awning project from the roof. An enclosed white-clad Observation Deck juts out from the airside terminal face at a sharp angle between Concourses B and C. On the airside of the terminal, a large horizontal white sign with teal lettering identifies the city as Birmingham.
Externally, Concourse C (and Concourse B before its demolition) is radically different than the terminal structure, consisting of straight radial spokes clad with white panels. Concourse C includes a circular end which invokes the appearance of the terminal, whereas Concourse B terminated at a flat wall. The concourse walls have relatively few windows, typically at waiting and dining areas. The presence of multiple shops, restrooms and service areas reduces the need for windows in the concourses. Jetways are used for the majority of the gates and aircraft, though Delta Connection and United Express uses stairs leading to the tarmac to board flights on regional jets. Passenger gates and services are located on the second floor with airside baggage handling and aircraft servicing on the ground level.
The interior of the terminal was renovated in the early 1990s at a cost of $50.4 million[26] which included new floor surfaces, lighting, wall coverings, renovated public spaces, and public art. The flooring is a mixture of carpet and large tiles, with tile primarily in the heavily used terminal spaces, dining areas, and restrooms. Primary colors are off-white, beige and gray. Numerous planters are positioned in hallways.
The on-going terminal expansion and modernization project is expected to result in significant changes to the appearance of the terminal and concourses.
Several pieces of artwork are displayed within the Terminal and on the airport grounds. Approaching the airport along Messer Airport Boulevard, travelers pass a series of white three dimensional triangular shapes placed on raised posts along the shoulder and median of the roadway with a mid-span folded crease to suggest the wings of birds in flight or aircraft. The two-story open space between the baggage claim carousels and the exterior entrances is filled with internationally recognized artist Larry Kirkland’s mixed sculptural work Birmingham Beacons. The centerpieces of this work are two tall steel towers, recalling Birmingham’s heavy industrial heritage, carved with images from nature, science, leisure and cultural activities that reflect the local environment and people. A granite map of Alabama, a small red stone house with quotes from local residents, and a series of suspended objects round out the piece.[27] The viewing area between Concourses B and C displays whimsical sculptures of fruits and vegetables depicted as airplanes. Across from the viewing area is a display of the dedication plaque for the 1962 Birmingham Air Terminal and the large analogue clock with blinking stars which once hung above the main entrance doorway of the 1962 terminal and, with an adjacent sign, welcomed arriving passengers to Birmingham as they exited the terminal. Modified from its original appearance, the clock now includes photos of the current terminal, the 1931 terminal, and Birmingham’s Moorish style Terminal Station which served the railroads of Birmingham until being demolished in 1969.[15]
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | Dallas/Fort Worth |
| American Eagle | Miami |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta |
| Delta Connection operated by Comair | Atlanta, Detroit, Memphis, New York-LaGuardia [resumes January 5] |
| Delta Connection operated by Compass Airlines | Minneapolis/St. Paul |
| Delta Connection operated by ExpressJet | Atlanta, Memphis |
| Delta Connection operated by Pinnacle Airlines | Atlanta, Detroit, Memphis [begins January 5], Minneapolis/St. Paul [begins January 6] |
| Southwest Airlines | Baltimore, Chicago-Midway, Dallas-Love, Houston-Hobby, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Louisville [ends January 7], Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, St. Louis, Tampa |
| United Express operated by ExpressJet | Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Houston-Intercontinental |
| United Express operated by SkyWest Airlines | Chicago-O'Hare, Denver |
| US Airways | Charlotte |
| US Airways Express operated by Air Wisconsin | Washington-National [begins March 24, 2012] |
| US Airways Express operated by Mesa Airlines | Charlotte |
| US Airways Express operated by PSA Airlines | Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington-National [begins March 24, 2012] |
| US Airways Express operated by Republic Airlines | Charlotte |
Southwest Airlines carried the most passengers through BHM in 2007; transporting 1.14 million passengers, 35.6% of total BHM passengers.[29] Additionally, Southwest Airlines operates BHM as a connecting airport for over 180 different flight pairs.Southwest uses Las Vegas and Phoenix to connect passengers to the west coast.[30] In March 2008 the order of carriers (including regional jet partners) for the 274,711 passengers carried that month was as follows: Southwest, Delta, US Airways, American, Continental, United Express, Northwest, and ExpresssJet.[31]
| Rank | City | Passengers | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, GA | 256,000 | Delta |
| 2 | Charlotte, NC | 127,000 | US Airways |
| 3 | Dallas/Fort Worth, TX | 89,000 | American |
| 4 | Houston, TX (IAH) | 86,000 | Continental |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | 84,000 | Southwest |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | 76,000 | Southwest |
| 7 | Orlando, FL | 60,000 | Southwest |
| 8 | Chicago, IL (Midway) | 58,000 | Southwest |
| 9 | Tampa, FL | 56,000 | Southwest |
| 10 | Houston, TX (Hobby) | 52,000 | Southwest |
In December 2009, typical commercial passenger traffic included a mix of Boeing 737, Embraer 145, CRJ 200, CRJ700, CRJ 900, and MD-80 models operating approximately 140 take offs or landings daily.[33] The overwhelmingly dominant mainline aircraft was the Boeing 737 due to Southwest Airlines service at the airport with that type (Delta occasionally uses the 737 on its flights to Atlanta), followed by MD-80 series aircraft operated by Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Fifty passenger or less Canadair Regional Jets were the most common regional aircraft. The ERJ 145 and CRJ700/900 family shared the second spot for regional jets. The larger Embraer 175 is the third most common regional jet, and is used by Compass Airlines, Shuttle America, (dba Delta Airlines) and Republic Airlines (dba US Airways). No scheduled commercial service is offered on turboprop aircraft from BHM. Unique regularly scheduled aircraft included a Boeing 727-200 operated by FedEx and an Airbus A300-600 operated by UPS, the only wide body aircraft to routinely use the airport. Compass Airlines and Shuttle America use the Embraer 175 jet on flights to Minneapolis and New York on behalf of Delta Air Lines. US Airways uses the Boeing 737 on its flights to Charlotte. Republic Airlines also flies to Charlotte using the Embraer 175 jet on behalf of US Airways Express. Delta Air Lines uses the Airbus A320 on some of its mainline flights to Atlanta.
One fatal Part 121 (Air Carrier) accident has occurred at or in the immediate vicinity of Birmingham International Airport since 1934; the crash of Pennsylvania Central Airlines (a United Airlines predecessor) Flight 105 on January 6, 1946. The DC-3 landed on Runway 18 and continued off the end of the runway into Village Creek, three crew members sustained fatal injuries as a result of the accident.[34] Two Part 135 (Air Taxi & Commuter) accidents have occurred since 1962 which resulted in fatalities. The most significant accident was the crash of L'Express Airlines Flight 508 on July 10, 1991 with the loss of 13 lives. Eight fatal General Aviation accidents have occurred at or in the vicinity of Birmingham International Airport since 1962, including a flight line ground accident[35]
The airport was the setting and filming location for the 2008 video[36] of the Grammy Award-nominated and GMA Dove Award Song of the Year winning song “Give Me Your Eyes” by contemporary Christian artist Brandon Heath.[37] The video was filmed in the 1962 Birmingham Air Terminal and the current terminal’s Baggage Claim and lower level Arrivals roadway areas. The airport scenes include over 100 extras.[37]
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