Brookley Airport (BFM) — Mobile, Alabama

Brookley Airport, officially known as Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, serves the Mobile, Alabama metropolitan area under the IATA code BFM. Located at 2701 Airport Blvd, Mobile, AL 36606, this facility occupies a historically significant site on the western shore of Mobile Bay, just three miles south of downtown Mobile. The airport is operated by the Mobile Airport Authority, which manages aviation infrastructure across the region and positions Brookley as a key asset in Alabama's Gulf Coast aviation network.

The site carries deep military heritage. Brookley Field was established in 1940 as a U.S. Army Air Corps installation and later became Brookley Air Force Base, one of the Southeast's largest military logistics and maintenance depots during World War II and the Cold War era. At its peak, the base employed over 14,000 civilians and military personnel, making it a cornerstone of Mobile's wartime economy. The base was decommissioned in 1969 under the Base Realignment and Closure process, and the property was subsequently transferred to the City of Mobile for civilian aviation and industrial redevelopment. That legacy infrastructure — including long, wide runways built for military aircraft — continues to benefit operators at Brookley today.

Brookley Airport features two paved runways capable of handling a wide range of aircraft. Runway 15/33 stretches 8,529 feet in length, and Runway 04/22 offers 6,002 feet, both maintained to FAA standards suitable for jet operations, cargo aircraft, and large business aviation. The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 26 feet above mean sea level, and its location adjacent to Mobile Bay provides relatively uncongested airspace ideal for cargo and charter operators seeking efficient departure and arrival routes.

Today, Brookley Airport is a hub for general aviation, corporate aviation, and air cargo operations. The facility does not currently offer scheduled commercial passenger service, which means travelers in the Mobile metro area primarily use Mobile Regional Airport (MOB) for airline connections. However, Brookley's long runways and ample ramp space attract cargo operators, maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, and corporate flight departments that require heavy aircraft capabilities without the traffic of a busy commercial airport.

One of the most significant economic developments at Brookley has been the establishment of an Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility on the airport campus. Since opening in 2015, Airbus has assembled A319, A320, and A321 aircraft at this facility, delivering jets to American and Canadian carriers. This makes Mobile one of only two locations in the Western Hemisphere — alongside Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany — where Airbus manufactures commercial aircraft, a distinction that underscores Brookley's strategic importance in global aviation manufacturing.

The surrounding Aeroplex at Brookley campus encompasses millions of square feet of industrial, warehouse, and office space, much of it converted from original military structures. Tenants include aviation maintenance firms, logistics companies, and light manufacturers, creating an aerospace and industrial park that employs thousands of workers across the Mobile metro area.

Pilots flying into or out of BFM will find fuel services, aircraft maintenance, and FBO support on the field. The airport's proximity to Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 90 ensures straightforward ground access for cargo pickups, crew transfers, and business travelers using private or charter aircraft.

For pilots and operators in the greater Gulf Coast region, BFM provides an operationally flexible alternative to busier commercial airports. Nearby general aviation facilities include Prattville Airport and Autauga County Airport to the north near Montgomery, Greenville Municipal Airport (PRN) serving Butler County, Mac Crenshaw Memorial Airport in Brewton, and Sells Airport (71AL) serving private operators in the surrounding area. Together, these airports form a network of general aviation access points across south-central Alabama, with Brookley standing out for its long-haul runway capability and industrial aviation campus.

Brookley Airport - BFM Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Mobile, Alabama.

Name Brookley Airport - BFM
Address 2495 Michigan Avenue, Mobile AL 36615 Map
Phone (251) 602-1986
Website
Hours

Map of Brookley Airport - BFM

Airports in near by County


Airports near Mobile

Frequently Asked Questions — Brookley Airport (BFM), Mobile, Alabama

No, Brookley Airport does not currently offer scheduled commercial passenger airline service. Travelers in the Mobile area seeking airline connections should use Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), located approximately 12 miles northwest of downtown Mobile, which is served by American Airlines, Delta, and United with connections to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, and Houston. Brookley serves general aviation, corporate jets, cargo operators, and aviation manufacturing — most notably the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility on its campus.

Brookley Airport sits on the site of the former Brookley Air Force Base, established in 1940 as a U.S. Army Air Corps logistics and maintenance installation. During World War II and through the Cold War, Brookley was one of the Southeast's most important military air depots, employing over 14,000 people at its peak and serving as a major economic engine for Mobile. The base was closed in 1969 under the Base Realignment and Closure process, and the City of Mobile took over the property, eventually placing it under the management of the Mobile Airport Authority. The long runways and heavy-duty infrastructure built for military aircraft remain in service today, giving Brookley a significant operational advantage over smaller regional airports.

The Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility at Brookley opened in 2015 and assembles A319, A320, and A321 aircraft for delivery to airlines across North America. Mobile is one of only a handful of locations globally where Airbus produces commercial aircraft, alongside facilities in Toulouse (France) and Hamburg (Germany). The plant has delivered hundreds of jets since opening, employing thousands of direct and indirect workers in the Mobile area. This facility has transformed Brookley Airport into a significant node in global aerospace manufacturing, attracting supplier companies and MRO operations that have further developed the Aeroplex at Brookley industrial campus.

Brookley Airport offers two paved runways well-suited for heavy and jet operations. Runway 15/33 measures 8,529 feet in length, capable of accommodating large cargo aircraft and wide-body jets. Runway 04/22 provides 6,002 feet, suitable for business jets and turboprop aircraft. Both runways are maintained to FAA standards. The airport's uncongested airspace near Mobile Bay and its minimal commercial traffic make it an attractive choice for cargo operators and corporate flight departments that need reliable access to south Alabama without competing with high-volume airline operations.

Several general aviation airports serve the broader south and central Alabama region near Brookley. Prattville Airport and Autauga County Airport are located north of Mobile near the Montgomery metropolitan area, offering general aviation access to that corridor. Greenville Municipal Airport (PRN) in Butler County serves pilots and operators between Mobile and Montgomery along the I-65 corridor. Mac Crenshaw Memorial Airport in Brewton provides general aviation service to Escambia County in southwest Alabama. Sells Airport (71AL) is a private use facility serving the surrounding area. For commercial airline travel, Mobile Regional Airport (MOB) remains the primary option for the Mobile metro area, while Pensacola International Airport (PNS) in Florida offers an alternative for passengers in the eastern Mobile metro.

External Links: