Huntsville Airport History

Following report provides a historical and financial information regarding Port of Huntsville, Huntsville International Airport. Airport History
Huntsville Flying Field or Mayfair Airport began servicing northern Alabama in the early 1930s, providing four dirt and sod runways for commercial air operations. With the need to expand commercial operations in northern Alabama, Huntsville Flying Field was moved in 1941 just south of the city of Huntsville and renamed Huntsville Municipal Airport, covering 720 acres. Renovations to the airport began immediately, adding a wooden shack for a terminal building and adding paved runways. In 1946 Eastern Airlines airline begins commercial services by proving passenger and air cargo operations.
Seeing
the success of commercial air operations, the city of Huntsville began adding improvements to the airport, starting with expanding runway 18/36 from 4,000 feet to 5,200 feet. Additionally, a control tower was built in1956 and national weather services in 1958, adding a level of safety and control. Soon air operations would outgrow its current location and a new location would be required in order to support future growth. Eventually, Huntsville Municipal Airport would be relocated to its current location in October 1967 (Freeman., 2016).
Today, Huntsville International is one of three spokes of an inland port known as the Port of Huntsville.
This inland port consists of three main operating entities - Huntsville International Airport (HSV), International Intermodal Center (Air Cargo & Rail Cargo), and Jetplex Industrial Park. Huntsville International provides non-stop passenger service to ten destinations. HSV is known throughout its 18-county service region for outstanding customer service, state-of-the-art technology and convenience.

NPIAS classification.
Huntsville International-Carl T Jones Field is a public use airport and is categorized by the FAA as a small primary service airport. The following statistical information is taken from the FAA Airport Master Records and Reports, as shown in Table 1. (FAA, 2016)
Table 1
Huntsville International-Carl T Jones
Field Ownership Public Use Huntsville Madison County1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd, Box 20008, Huntsville, Al 35824; 256-772-9395
Manager Richard Tucker
FAR 139 Index I C S 05/1973
Operations Air Carrier 9,172 Air Taxi 12,655 General Aviation 12,827 Military 24,788 Total 59,440
Enplanements 2014 = 523,248 2015 = 519,785
Aircraft Based 74

Management Staff and Organization.
Port of Huntsville Authority consists of a five-member Board of Directors, of which two are appointed by the City Council of Huntsville, Alabama, two by the Madison County Commission and one jointly by the City Council and County Commission. The board of directors is responsible for the strategic direction and financial oversight of the organization (Mercer & Associates, 2013).
Budget and Financial Status.
In its annual report, Port of Huntsville reported in 2014, a revenue stream from three sources:
1. Airport = $24,859,676, accounting for largest operating revenue.
2. Industrial Park = $84,172.
3. Hotel = $3,503,478
Port of Huntsville had a total operating revenue of $28,44,326, with a total operating expense totaling $17,389,306, resulting in an excess operating revenue of $11,058,020. After accounting for annual depreciation of $11,587,805, Port authority reported a loss of $(529,785) for 2014. Despite this loss it is important to note, loss in operating income was not borne by the taxpayers of Huntsville.
Much of the revenue, $28.45 million, was collected from users who benefited from services provided during the year, such as airlines, concessionaires, passengers, tenants, pilots using hangers and other users. Additionally, state and federal governments funded capital projects with grants and contributions totaling $15.41 million. Based on the information provided in the report, Huntsville-Madison County Airport was determined to be a low-risk auditee. (Mercer & Associates,
2013)