The Birmingham International Airport consists of a single terminal with two concourses radiating from the curved common terminal area which is outside the TSA security checkpoints and includes check-in, baggage claim, and ground transportation. The terminal reflects the International style of architecture popular for American commercial and institutional buildings from the 1950s through the late 1970s. 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.

Concourse B and C are 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, Concourse B terminates 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 United Express, ExpressJet, and Delta Connection use 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 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.

Terminal expansion and modernization slated for 2008 is expected to result in significant changes to the appearance of the terminal and concourses.

9 March 1951 airphoto of Birmingham AirportThe 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. 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. When American Airways (now American Airlines) began their Atlanta, Georgia to Forth 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 International Airport site.

The new airport opened with great public fanfare on May 31, 1931 with a single two story, Georgian style terminal and a single runway. With the addition of American Airlines in 1931 and Eastern Airlines in 1934, air traffic increased enough to warrant a second runway.

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 part of the The airfield was assiged to the Third Air Force as fighter base. It was commanded 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 aircraft modifications facility south of the terminal (now operated by Pemco).

After the airport was returned to city control in August 1948, Southern Airways began service to the airport. In the 1950s, today’s Runway 6/24 was lengthened to 10,000 feet and service was started to Birmingham by Capitol Airways. Capitol’s merger with United Air Lines resulted in the initiation of jet service to Birmingham with the Sud Aviation Caravelle. Continued growth in passenger traffic resulted in the construction of a second passenger terminal and a new air traffic control tower which stood until 2001.

In 1973 the current semi-circular terminal was completed with 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.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

By the early 2000s, Birmingham had constructed a new 211 feet tall control tower and completed significant improvements to the air cargo areas. In 2006, Birmingham International Airport celebrated its 75th year of serving the central Alabama region. In July 2007, a 2,000 foot runway expansion to runway 6/24 was completed and dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Now at 12,002 feet in length, runway 6/24 will now provide enough runway length for a fully-loaded and fueled Boeing 747 to land or takeoff in Birmingham.

Birmingham International Airport

Birmingham International Airport (IATA: BHM, ICAO: KBHM, FAA LID: BHM) is the major airport that serves Birmingham, Alabama and Central Alabama. It is located five miles northeast of downtown Birmingham, near the interchange of I-20 and I-59. BHM served 3,222,689 passengers in 2007, and is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Alabama.[2] 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. Birmingham International Airport currently offers 87 daily departures to 28 cities nonstop and 35 cities direct.

The Southern Museum of Flight is also located at the Birmingham International Airport, immediately adjacent on the east side of the North-South runway.

There are currently several capital improvement projects underway, including a $20 million Air Cargo Complex expansion as well as resurfacing of the Air Carrier Apron area. Recently officials announced a terminal expansion which includes adding another concourse and a new baggage screening area. The terminal expansion and modernization, slated to begin in early 2008, will also include more modern customer conveniences, an upgrade of concessions, and Federal Inspection Service-approved international gates. The estimated cost of the terminal expansion is $161 million.

The airfield is capable of handling all aircraft types. The main runway is 12,002 feet long.[3] The secondary runway is 7,100 feet long. A Category II instrument landing system allows operations in visibility as low as a quarter mile.

The Air National Guard has a base which includes nine KC-135R air tankers assigned to the 117th Air Refueling Wing. In the past, the air guard unit operated reconnaissance aircraft. There is also an aviation support facility for the Army National Guard.

An aircraft modification facility, originally built during World War II, is presently operated by Pemco Aeroplex. There are also two fixed base operators and numerous corporate hangars.

Commercial Aircraft

In early 2008, typical commercial traffic included a mix of Boeing 737, Embraer 145, Embraer E-170, CRJ100/200, CRJ700/900, MD-80, and DC-9 models.[6] The overwhelmingly dominant mainline aircraft was the Boeing 737 due to Southwest Airlines service at the airport, followed by MD-80 series aircraft operated by Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. The ERJ 145 was the most common regional jet, operated by Continental Express, American Eagle, and Delta Connection. Fifty passenger or less Canadair Regional Jets were the second most common regional aircraft.[7] 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 which was the only Airbus aircraft to routinely use the airport.

Architecture and Interior Design

Airport terminal, tower, and parking deck on March 14, 2008.The Birmingham International Airport consists of a single terminal with two concourses radiating from the curved common terminal area which is outside the TSA security checkpoints and includes check-in, baggage claim, and ground transportation. The terminal reflects the International style of architecture popular for American commercial and institutional buildings from the 1950s through the late 1970s. 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.

Concourse B and C are 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, Concourse B terminates 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 United Express, ExpressJet, and Delta Connection use 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[8] 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.

Terminal expansion and modernization slated for 2008 is expected to result in significant changes to the appearance of the terminal and concourses.

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.[9] 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.[10] When American Airways (now American Airlines) began their Atlanta, Georgia to Forth 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 International Airport site. [11]

The new airport opened with great public fanfare on May 31, 1931 with a single two story, Georgian style terminal and a single runway. With the addition of American Airlines in 1931 and Eastern Airlines in 1934, air traffic increased enough to warrant a second runway.

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 part of the The airfield was assiged to the Third Air Force as fighter base. It was commanded 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 aircraft modifications facility south of the terminal (now operated by Pemco).[11]

After the airport was returned to city control in August 1948, Southern Airways began service to the airport. In the 1950s, today’s Runway 6/24 was lengthened to 10,000 feet and service was started to Birmingham by Capitol Airways. Capitol’s merger with United Air Lines resulted in the initiation of jet service to Birmingham with the Sud Aviation Caravelle. Continued growth in passenger traffic resulted in the construction of a second passenger terminal and a new air traffic control tower which stood until 2001.[11]

In 1973 the current semi-circular terminal was completed with 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.[11] 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[12]

By the early 2000s, Birmingham had constructed a new 211 feet tall control tower and completed significant improvements to the air cargo areas. In 2006, Birmingham International Airport celebrated its 75th year of serving the central Alabama region. In July 2007, a 2,000 foot runway expansion to runway 6/24 was completed and dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Now at 12,002 feet in length, runway 6/24 will now provide enough runway length for a fully-loaded and fueled Boeing 747 to land or takeoff in Birmingham.