BIRMINGHAM MUNICIPAL AIRPORT




Old and new: the then-new BHM terminal and control tower sit beyond the original Southern-style terminal in this early 1960s postcard. The Southern-style terminal was the airport's first passenger facility, dating back to the 1920s.

Of all the facilities on this site, Birmingham probably had the shortest life - the terminal only served passengers for eleven years. It was opened in 1962, replacing a facility that had been in use since the 1920s.


A postcard view of the new BHM terminal, looking toward the original facility in the early 1960s.
Courtesy of Jim Kruggel

Like many other facilities from that period, the building had a scalloped roofline - a series of peaks, similar to terminals in Minneapolis and Atlanta. All services were on one level; ticket counters were situated in a linear fashion along the main concourse, which was connected to a pier projecting onto the apron. A restaurant, gift shop, newsstand and baggage claim area were located near the entrance to the building. A new control tower was included in the design, adjacent to the new main terminal.


Two views of the BHM curbside in the early 1960s, showing the distinctive roofline.

Almost immediately after the terminal was opened, plans were underway for a replacement facility on a new site to the west. Construction on the new terminal was kicked off in 1970.


A diagram of the old BHM from 1971, two years before the new facility was completed. Airlines serving Birmingham at the time were Eastern, Delta, Southern and United. From a 1971 United Airlines service guide

The four commercial carriers moved to the new terminal in 1973; the 1962 terminal was relegated to air taxi and charter movements. A U.S. Customs office was set up in the old terminal, enabling Birmingham to handle international flights.


A postcard showing the 1962 BHM terminal (right) and the much larger 1973 facility on the left.

At some point in the late 1970s or early 1980s, the passenger pier of the 1962 terminal was demolished to make way for a new air cargo terminal. Charter and international movements continue to use the old terminal, which is now referred to as Terminal A. The control tower opened in 1962 served until 1998, when a new tower was opened.


Two overhead views of both Birmingham terminals in the early 1980s (left) and in 2001 (right). The 1962 terminal concourse has been demolished to make way for the air cargo complex.

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