Story ID: 
Atlantic Aviation Starts Birmingham FBO Upgrade
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: The redevelopment and expansion will take approximately two years
Word Count: 280
Atlantic Aviation broke ground late last week on a redevelopment and expansion project on its FBO at Alabama’s Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (KBHM). The $40 million facility, slated for completion in early 2027, will feature a 7,500-sq-ft terminal with an open concept lobby and reception area, café, conference rooms, crew lounge, and flight-planning area. On the FBO staff side, there will be a training area, offices, and locker rooms.
Once the terminal is completed, the existing 3,500-sq-ft terminal building will be renovated for further use. Three of the facility’s existing hangars also will be retained, while two others will be demolished to make way for a pair of 30,000-sq-ft hangars that can house the latest large-cabin business jets. They will bring the location up to 116,000 sq ft of aircraft shelter space.
Atlantic will also expand its ramp by seven acres with concrete hardstands for large charter aircraft adjacent to private terminal space in one of the new hangars.
With an eye towards sustainability, the mega-chain will use recycled materials throughout the construction and install high-efficiency environmental, lighting, and plumbing systems. The roofs of the new hangars will be equipped for the installation of solar arrays to help offset electricity usage.
“This investment in the expansion of our presence in Birmingham is a result of outstanding collaboration with airport and city leadership,” explained Kurt Schmidt, Atlantic’s s-v-p of operations for the Southeast region. “And while we take great pride in the design of the new facility itself, we are equally as proud of the economic development benefits it will bring to the airport, its users, and the local community.”