Member Spotlight - Huntsville International Airport
The Port of Huntsville is the bridge that connects our community to the rest of the world and so, in turn, it is a highly sought-after location for businesses, industries and travelers alike. Home to the Huntsville International Airport (HSV), Jetplex Industrial Park (JIP) and the International Intermodal Center (IIC), the Port of Huntsville creates efficient and economical solutions for customers and helps stimulate the local economy through a strong transportation infrastructure, global connectivity and innovative improvements. In October 2017, Huntsville 
International Airport celebrated 50 years of serving this region of Alabama and Tennessee. As a part of the celebration, the airport elevated and created events to give back to customers and the community.
The Port of Huntsville plays a major role in the economic growth and development of the Tennessee Valley region. A large factor helping to stimulate growth is the Jetplex Industrial Park, centrally located in one of the fastest growing high technology communities in the United States. From this strategic southeastern location, the 4,000-acre JIP offers a rare combination of air, rail and truck transportation, as well as a high-quality workforce available within a 50-mile / 45-minute commuting radius throughout north Alabama and portions of southern Tennessee. With on-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Foreign-Trade Zone No. 83, the Port of Huntsville’s Jetplex Industrial Park offers an inviting and lucrative solution to customers looking to relocate or expand operations.
The International Intermodal Center, located in the Port of Huntsville’s Global Logistics Park, celebrated 30 years of operation in 2017. It provides a single hub location specializing in receiving, transferring, storing and distributing international and domestic cargo via air, rail and highway. The IIC rail terminal is served by Norfolk Southern, with dedicated stack train service to and from both east coast and west coast ports. U.S. Customs and Border Protection port inspectors, USDA inspectors, freight forwarders and customs brokers are all located on-site. Highly accessible via the interstate highway system, the Port of Huntsville is strategically located to serve the Tennessee Valley region and beyond.
Huntsville International Airport is ranked as the 17th largest airport in the continental U.S. for international air cargo freight. This is due largely to the partnership that has lasted just shy of 30 years between the Port of Huntsville and Panalpina. “Our partnership with Panalpina is a vital component in marketing the city of Huntsville for economic development in the global arena,” said Richard Tucker, executive director of the Port of Huntsville. Cargo Carriers located at HSV are Atlas Air, Cargolux Airlines, Federal Express, Panalpina and UPS. This high-tech air cargo market is served by domestic and international all-cargo carriers. Weekly international nonstop is available to Europe, Mexico, Hong Kong and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Huntsville International Airport is the largest commercial airport in north Alabama, serving more than 1.2 million passengers annually. HSV is
known throughout its 18-county service region for outstanding customer service, state-of-the-art technology and convenience. Unlike larger metropolitan areas, the airspace at HSV is uncongested and allows for faster landing and take-off times.
The airport handles more than 70 passenger flights daily and has Alabama’s only non-stop international air cargo service. There are two parallel runways - 12,600-foot runway (second- longest runway in the Southeast U.S.) and 10,000-foot runway; runways with 5,000-foot separation for simultaneous takeoff/landing. Also, it has an Instrument Landing System (ILS) on all four runway approaches and is Group VI aircraft capable.
HSV has nonstop service to ten destinations, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Orlando and two airports in Washington D.C. – Dulles and National. In 2018, HSV welcomed two new air-carriers, Silver Airways and Frontier Airlines. Silver offers daily direct flights to Orlando. Frontier, an ultra-low-cost carrier, flies direct to Denver and Orlando. The airport is quick and easy to navigate, and very convenient to all the attractions and businesses located in north Alabama. Major capital improvements to the baggage claim area, parking deck, public waiting, security check-in and Four Points by Sheraton Hotel – all help to make the traveler’s experience at HSV more enjoyable. Fly Local. Fly Smart. Fly HSV!
