Big things are coming to a long-standing corner of west Mobile.
A World War II-era hangar at Mobile Regional Airport is about to get a $2 million facelift, thanks to a private investment group eyeing the space for new aerospace tenants.
While most of the public spotlight has centered on Brookley Field’s upcoming international terminal, this move breathes fresh energy into Mobile Regional—just as it prepares for its own shift in identity.
The company leading the charge is Florida-based PPK Investment Group, which plans to renovate the historic hangar and lease it to future aviation businesses.
Board chair Luckett Robinson calls it a smart early step toward a bigger vision.
Historic Steel Meets Modern Strategy
This isn’t your average airport building. The hangar in question—tucked behind a fire station off Airport Boulevard—dates back to World War II.
It’s about 24,000 square feet with direct runway access and ample aircraft parking.
During the war, Brookley Field was so crowded that operations spilled over to what was then called Bates Field—now Mobile Regional. That old hangar is one of the last physical reminders of the era.
Today, it’s less about nostalgia and more about strategy.
The site may be modest, but with the right updates, it’s a prime spot for aircraft maintenance, leasing operations, or even corporate aviation tenants.
Thinking Beyond Commercial Flights
With Brookley set to take over all commercial passenger traffic by fall 2026, the Mobile Airport Authority is looking to reinvent what Mobile Regional can be.
The focus is shifting to private aviation, defense partners, and business tenants.
Robinson says the future will involve reworking Regional for noncommercial use. The pieces are already there: the Coast Guard, Airbus U.S. Military Aircraft, and now PPK’s interest.
What’s needed next is more companies ready to take advantage of open space and long runways.
Few mid-sized cities have two major airfields. Even fewer have one with this much developable real estate and infrastructure.
Momentum from Paris to Mobile
Mobile isn’t just watching the aerospace industry evolve—it’s in the room where the deals are happening.
Robinson and other airport and city leaders attended the Paris Air Show earlier this year, networking with global players and scouting future partnerships.
The interest is real. At Brookley, demand is already exceeding available space. Robinson says the hangar at Regional could open doors for businesses that want in but need room to grow.
The Mobile Airport Authority isn’t just planning for the new terminal—it’s building toward a broader, dual-airport vision. One focused on passengers. The other, on innovation and industry.
A Hangar Becomes a Launchpad
The board has already authorized Robinson to finalize the lease with PPK, and construction is expected to begin soon.
Renderings show the building rebranded as an AirBOSS Hangar, a known provider of hangar space and aircraft services.
The deal may seem small at first glance, but it signals a mindset shift: Mobile isn’t just moving traffic—it’s reshaping its aviation footprint, piece by piece.
A WWII relic becomes a base for future-forward tenants. And Mobile Regional? It’s still flying high. Just with a new flight path.
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