New Mobile Airport Likely to Stay Under Budget, Board Hears

A Major Milestone in the Mobile Airport Terminal Project

Luckett Robinson, chairman of the Mobile Airport Authority, received a round of applause from the board members on Tuesday morning for delivering positive news about the ongoing construction of a new passenger terminal. The project is now expected to come in approximately $19 million under budget, marking a significant achievement after several years of challenges and financial adjustments.

The original budget for the project was set at $252 million when ground was first broken in 2022. However, as the project progressed, costs increased significantly due to various factors, including inflation and changes in design and scope. By early 2024, the projected cost had risen to $381 million, and by May of that year, it had climbed even higher to $414 million. Despite these increases, the recent developments have brought the project back on track financially.

Navigating Challenges and Making Adjustments

Robinson shared his experience with the board, recalling a difficult meeting just a year ago when the bids for the interior work came back well over budget. He had to meet with Mayor Stimpson to discuss whether the project should proceed or be paused. "Do we proceed and try to find more money? Do we hit pause and try to straighten it out?" he asked at the time.

Through the first half of 2025, the lead companies involved in the project—Hoar Program Management, JESCO Construction, and FSB Architects & Engineers—worked diligently to understand the issues and find solutions. "There's inherent risk in any delay that the project will actually cost more, not less," Robinson noted. However, the team managed to reduce the final interior bids by $57 million compared to the same time last year, which put the project on track to come in $19 million under budget.

The Vision Behind the New Terminal

The new terminal is a key component of a larger plan to relocate commercial passenger service from Mobile Regional Airport to a new international terminal located in the Brookley Aeroplex. This move aims to provide better access to interstate highways and proximity to downtown Mobile. The project has faced multiple delays and budget revisions, but the recent progress shows that the team is making strides toward completion.

Leadership and Collaboration

Robinson emphasized the importance of collaboration and leadership throughout the process. He praised G. Anderson “Andy” Wilson, the current executive director, for his tireless efforts. "Andy worked incredibly long hours on this, sometimes my annoyance," Robinson said. "I would get texts and emails seven days a week at anywhere from 4:30 in the morning till 10 o'clock at night about this project and that."

He also highlighted the teamwork among the contractors and architects, noting that they did not engage in finger-pointing or blame-shifting, which is common in such projects. "It’s very easy when a project gets a little bit sideways to have a circular firing squad," he said. "But we didn’t do that in this instance."

Economic Outlook and Future Plans

In addition to the progress on the terminal, Robinson provided an optimistic outlook for the airport authority's revenue in 2026. While budget projections called for a 5% growth, he expects a much higher increase. This optimism is tied to the potential leasing of space previously occupied by ST Aerospace, a major tenant at Brookley Aeroplex. Although ST Aerospace announced plans to shut down its operations in March, there are hopes that Airbus and other companies will take over some of the facilities.

Robinson mentioned that the authority is actively working to secure leases with other companies, and if these agreements are finalized, they could significantly boost revenue. "If those leases all come to fruition, that would be the increase in revenue," he said.

Conclusion

The Mobile Airport Authority's journey with the new terminal has been marked by challenges, adjustments, and ultimately, a successful turnaround. With the project now on track to stay under budget and the economic outlook looking promising, the future of the airport appears brighter than ever. The collaborative efforts of the board, contractors, and leadership have played a crucial role in achieving this milestone.