Hertz, one of the most recognized car rental brands, will begin providing services at the new Gulf Shores International Airport when flights commence in 57 days.

The announcement about securing a car rental company at the new airport came Tuesday in an airport news release.

“This partnership with Hertz represents a significant step forward in delivering a seamless travel experience for our guests,” said Jesse Fosnaugh, airport director at Gulf Shores International Airport. “Hertz is a globally recognized leader in the rental car industry, and we are excited to welcome them as a key component of our growing airport services.”

Hertz anticipates making reservations available starting in early April. The first flight from the airport is May 21.

The airport also announced it has finalized an agreement with ParkMobile, a leading provider of smart parking solutions. ParkMobile is already used in the City of Gulf Shores and, according to airport officials, it will provide a simple and convenient way for travelers to pay for parking at the airport.

Fosnaugh said the airport is also working to develop more ground transportation options and services that will cater to the new customers.

Securing a car rental company was considered one of the big unanswered questions Gulf Shores airport officials had to resolve ahead of commercial service starting in May.

An $8 million two-gate commercial airport terminal in Gulf Shores remains under construction and has a timeline to open that aligns with the first Allegiant Air flight in May.

Allegiant Air is beginning flights to six destinations from Gulf Shores.

The Las Vegas-based airline announced four seasonal destinations beginning in May, while two – Cincinnati via the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the St. Louis region via MidAmerican Airport in Belleville, Ill. – are year-round destinations.

The project to begin commercial air service from Gulf Shores kicked in last year after the Gulf Shores City Council authorized a $3 million loan to support the terminal’s construction. Approximately $5 million of its funding came from the Biden Administration’s signature policy proposal called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).