About Northeast Alabama Regional Airport
Northeast Alabama Regional Airport serves the Gadsden area of Etowah County as a general aviation facility complementing Gadsden Municipal Airport (GAD) in providing aviation access to this northeastern Alabama industrial community. Regional airport designations often indicate a facility that serves a broader geographic area than a single city, and Northeast Alabama Regional Airport's name suggests a mandate to serve Etowah County and potentially neighboring counties in the northeastern Alabama corridor. The airport is registered with the FAA and operates under Alabama Department of Transportation Aeronautics Bureau oversight.
Pilots should consult current FAA airport data to understand the specific services, runway characteristics, and access designation at Northeast Alabama Regional Airport versus Gadsden Municipal Airport (GAD). The two airports serve overlapping geographic markets, and pilots should select the field that best suits their specific aircraft type and destination within the Gadsden area. Both airports contribute to Etowah County's aviation infrastructure serving a population of approximately 100,000 people in northeastern Alabama.
Is Northeast Alabama Regional Airport the same as Gadsden Municipal (GAD)?
No. Northeast Alabama Regional Airport and Gadsden Municipal Airport (GAD) are separate facilities serving the Gadsden area. Pilots should check current FAA data to determine which airport best suits their aircraft, mission, and destination within Etowah County.
Does Northeast Alabama Regional Airport have fuel?
Fuel availability should be confirmed with the airport directly. Gadsden Municipal Airport (GAD) is the established fuel stop in the area with a known FBO operation; pilots unsure of fuel at Northeast Alabama Regional should default to GAD.
What area does Northeast Alabama Regional Airport serve?
Despite its regional designation, the airport primarily serves the Gadsden metropolitan area in Etowah County. Neighboring counties including Cherokee, Marshall, and DeKalb have their own airport facilities, though the "regional" designation implies a broader service mandate.
What is the driving distance from the airport to Gadsden?
Both airports in the Gadsden area are located near the Rainbow City area, which is adjacent to Gadsden proper. The drive from either airport to downtown Gadsden is typically 10 minutes or less, making both practical options for visitors to the Etowah County seat.
Northeast Alabama Regional Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Gadsden, Alabama.
| Name | Northeast Alabama Regional Airport |
| Address | 185 Ira Gray Drive, Gadsden AL 35904 Map |
| Phone | (256) 442-3313 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Northeast Alabama Regional Airport
Northeast Alabama Regional Airport — Gadsden Aviation Overview
Northeast Alabama Regional Airport contributes to Gadsden's dual-airport GA infrastructure, giving Etowah County's pilot community options when one airport is temporarily unavailable or when a specific runway orientation better suits prevailing wind conditions. The Rainbow City area where Gadsden-area airports are concentrated sits along the Coosa River, one of Alabama's major river systems that defines the physical landscape of Etowah County. The river's scenery and the surrounding Appalachian foothills make this region particularly attractive for recreational VFR flying.
Gadsden Municipal Airport (GAD) provides the established FAA identifier and known FBO services for the county. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) and Huntsville International Airport (HSV) each serve as commercial airline hubs within approximately 60 miles. The Alabama Department of Transportation Aeronautics Bureau's northeastern Alabama planning recognizes Gadsden as the primary GA hub for Etowah County's manufacturing and service economy, supporting infrastructure investments that maintain viable air access to this important regional business center that contributes significantly to Alabama's industrial economic base.