Airport sees boost from Airbus

FAIRHOPE, Ala. -- The H.L. "Sonny" Callahan Airport in Baldwin County may be in good position to benefit from Airbus' decision to build an A320 assembly line in nearby Mobile. For years the airport authority has worked to turn the airport into an economic development engine, including buying 250 acres adjacent to the runway in 2007. The runway itself was expanded a few years earlier to handle commercial or military aircraft. Airport Authority chairman Charles Zunk the Fairhope airport and the airport in Moss Point, Miss., are both well-positioned. He said Fairhope is qualified for secondary vendors for Airbus. Aviation entities already located at or near Fairhope include Continental Motors, Segers Aero, the Alabama Department of Public Safety, AMRO, PHI and John Ward Flight Training. About 50 aircraft are based at Fairhope. Also in the works is an aviation training facility. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 07/05/12)