In 2025, a new commercial airport is set to open at Brookley Aeroplex south of downtown Mobile.

But what will happen to the old airport in west Mobile?

That has emerged as a pressing question as Mobile officials move forward on the construction of a five-gate terminal and parking garage within the Brookley Aeroplex that is estimated to cost $350 million.

A recent 100-acre property swap, closed last week, has some officials eyeing the potential of both properties – the future and soon-to-be former airports in Mobile.

Under the agreement, the Mobile Airport Authority is set to receive 100 acres of property formerly owned by the University of South Alabama Foundation near the Mobile Bay on the east side of where the future terminal will locate.

The property is south of a future 90-acre bayfront park that the city is planning to develop that could include a future beach along the Mobile Bay.

“This piece of property for us is probably the most important parcel we could purchase because of it’s location to the runway, east of the airport,” said Chris Curry, president of the Mobile Airport Authority.

In return, the Mobile County Industrial Development Board – which owned and marketed the former USA Foundation property — is set to receive 100 acres of mostly wooded property near Tanner Williams Road within the 3,000 acres of Airport Authority property at the Mobile Regional Airport in west Mobile.

Also included in the transaction was the Alabama State Port Authority, which is acquiring approximately 43 acres within Brookley for around $5 million. The property will be used for a future Port expansion.

“It really was a three-way deal benefitting all parties,” said Curry.

The highlights of the deal include:

• The 100-acre tract east of the future Mobile International Airport that will be utilized for the Airport Authority to expand and accommodate “large aviation and general aviation” businesses, Curry said. He said the property could be used to locate a second “fixed base operator” at the airport. Mobile’s current FBO is Signature Flight Support, and their primary role is to provide support services to general aviation operators such as fueling, maintenance, and training. Mobile has never had more than one FBO, but Curry said with the new terminal opening, demand could increase to add more than one.
• The 100-acre property at Mobile Regional Airport is going to the Industrial Development Board for future expansion near Tanner Williams and Snow roads in west Mobile. The Airport Authority currently owns 3,000 acres at the Mobile Regional Airport, and Curry said the objective is to “diminish the footprint” at that airport as the commercial aviation swap materializes at Brookley. Patrick Murphy, chairman of the IBD board, said the future plans for the 100 acres near Mobile Regional are unknown.
• The Port Authority’s property acquisition is for an unknown purpose. “As one of the largest economic development drivers in the state, the Port is always looking ahead,” said John Driscoll, CEO of the Alabama State Port. “We were glad to work with both the Mobile Airprot Authority and the Industrial Development Board to secure property that will benefit our long-term growth and development. While it’s too early to say exactly how this property will be used, we do know that it will be an asset to the Port as we continue to deliver for Alabama.”