Airport Updates

A MESSAGE FROM OUR AIRPORT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Pass the sunscreen, please!

Summer is here and it’s right on time

Well, it seems like we just survived Snowmageddon 25 and here we find ourselves on the cusp of what will amount to another summer of blistering hot weather. As you embark on your soon to be summer plans, be safe and don’t forget the sunscreen.

There’s a lot happening as we approach the summer. Our airline partners have certainly answered the call with added travel options.

Let me begin by welcoming our newest carrier, Contour Airlines, with new service to Muscle Shoals, AL (MSL). Spirit has added Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Detroit (DTW) and as I write this, we were just informed that Houston (IAH) will be added to their portfolio. Breeze Airways has added non-stop service to Memphis (MEM), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Northwest Arkansas (XNA), and have also doubled their Tampa (TPA) frequencies. Our friends at Delta have stepped up with recently announced Detroit service with an added frequency 3X/week. United has also added a daily non-stop service to Denver (DEN) for those heading up to the mountains.

With the airlines in full stride, there are many new updates here at PNS that span the airport campus. These include:

PROJECT TITAN HANGAR 3:

What started back in 2015 as an initiative to create an industry leading Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) campus of four hangars and associated infrastructure has led us to the most recent milestone…

The buildout of Hangar 3. Construction began in September of 2024 with the most recent milestone being achieved just this last week.

The box truss lift/attachment. A herculean lift of 319.5 tons (639,000lbs) of steel. Words cannot describe the effort so I will surrender to the photos to give a sense of the enormity of such an evolution. Most importantly, it was done safely and in a rapid fashion.

WELCOME K9 JETT:

We recently held a hail and farewell where we recognized eight years of faithful and dedicated service of K9 Mia while also welcoming our newest addition to the team, K9 Jett. The Airport is fortunate to have the support and protection of our PPD Team and our K9’s. It’s comforting to know that our K9’s presence brings a level of unbridled service to our patrons. Their service speaks volumes to the security posture that we are all the beneficiaries of.

TRANSFORM PNS:

With all the projects on the horizon at PNS, the best way to sum up our vision moving forward is illustrated on our newly published website: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/9....

We have just achieved the 30% design milestone for a new five-gate concourse. With a security checkpoint expansion that will more than double the current footprint, the program will meet not only today’s demand but will situate PNS to meet demand for several years.

Construction on the security checkpoint will begin late summer of 2025. The construction schedule will be further refined as the design portion of the project matures further.

Archer Western Construction, LLC has been selected to provide construction services. We are currently in the process of getting them onboard and under contract. They are prevalent across the industry with several airport construction projects under their belt. We look forward to working with their reputable team.

2027 AAAE-SE CONFERENCE:
American Association of Airport Executives-Southeast Chapter Annual Conference!

We’re thrilled to share that Pensacola has been selected as the host city for the 2027 Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives Annual Meeting!

This exciting win is a result of a collaborative effort between Pensacola International Airport, Visit Pensacola, and Innisfree Hotels. Special thanks to our Deputy Airport Director, Ken Ibold, CM, AIP; Assistant Airport Director for Strategy and Development, Todd F. Payne; and Visit Pensacola, Inc. President & CEO Darien Shaefer for making the journey to Charlotte to help present our bid. And to Innisfree hotels for putting forward a highly competitive offer for accommodations and meeting space on beautiful Pensacola Beach.

We look forward to welcoming 500+ airport executives an aviation leaders from across the Southeast to experience the unmatched combination of our thriving airport, walkable downtown, stunning beaches, and signature southern hospitality.

I’d like to close this out by expressing my gratitude to our community. We understand that you have choices when it comes to your travel needs and are most appreciative that you chose PNS. It is our responsibility to ensure that we provide a customer experience that meets your expectations. We can’t (and won’t) ever take that for granted. Thank you for choosing PNS! Be safe and break out the sunscreen!

My Sincere Appreciation,
Matthew F. Coughlin
Executive Director, Pensacola International Airport

Summer Travel Tip!

As the airport gets busier, plan ahead and give yourself some extra time. Arrive 2 HOURS EARLY and your future self will be high-fiving you at the gate!