U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized a new regional airport in Thomasville, Alabama, for residents across the southwest region of the state.
Local airports will merge to become the Southwest Alabama Regional Airport.
“The recent growth and economic investment in Thomasville and the surrounding areas have created an ideal environment to host the new Southwest Alabama Regional Airport,” said Senator Shelby. “I am grateful for the efforts of Mayor Day, Dr. Eagerton, and Gil Gilmore over the years as we have worked to make this vision possible. I am also proud that the Federal Aviation Administration has recognized the need for this airport, and I am confident this project will contribute to the economic vitality of the region for generations to come.”
Transportation Gap
Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day emphasized the airport’s importance for the region’s transportation infrastructure.
“North Clarke County is located 60 miles from the closest interstate. The new Southwest Alabama Regional Airport is vital in closing the transportation gap for business and industry in our rural region,” Mayor Day said.
Years of Planning
The airport project has been in development for 13 years, including site selection studies, feasibility studies, and land acquisition. Over the past decade, various companies have invested over $550 million in facilities and infrastructure in the Thomasville area, supporting hundreds of jobs.
The 2005 Alabama Statewide Airport System Plan revealed that Southwest Alabama was underserved in terms of access to aviation infrastructure. The Alabama Department of Transportation’s Aeronautic Bureau worked with FAA and the Southwest Alabama Regional Airport Authority to conduct studies confirming the area’s need for a new general aviation airport in Clarke County.