Northwest Alabama Regional (KMSL), Alabama
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (KMSL) serves Muscle Shoals, Alabama, roughly 45 nautical miles from the nearest metro area, and functions as a public-use, non-towered field supporting a business aviation base that accounted for the majority of its 2025 traffic according to FAA TFMSC data. The airport offers a primary paved runway long enough for most business jet operations alongside a shorter crosswind runway, both served by lighting systems and precision approach path indicators, with fuel, ramp, and charter handling procedures spelled out in its published operating remarks.
Runways
Northwest Alabama Regional has two paved runways. The longest, 12/30, is 6,694 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Northwest Alabama Regional has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 6am to 6pm, daily, and the airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Northwest Alabama Regional does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Pryor Field Regional (KDCU), 33 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Northwest Alabama Regional recorded 2,750 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in September and October. Business aviation traffic at KMSL is concentrated in the second half of the year, with August through October showing the highest monthly volumes.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month September, 262 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Northwest Alabama Regional averages 20.4 days above 90°F in July and 16.5 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 91.6°F, and January the coldest, at 52.4°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Northwest Alabama Regional has published operating constraints in four categories: weight restrictions, runway notes, pavement strength and other notes.
A landing fee applies to air carrier aircraft over 12,500 pounds.
The MALSR lighting system is active on runway 30. Runway 12 has REIL and a PAPI. Runways 18 and 36 also have PAPI. HIRL lighting serves runway 12/30, and MIRL lighting serves runway 18/36, both controlled via CTAF.
Runway 18/36 is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 operations involving scheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 9 passenger seats, or non-scheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 30 passenger seats.
This runway end is designated as the calm wind runway.
PCR VALUE: 430/F/B/X/T
PCR VALUE: 470/F/C/X/T
Fuel is available at night. Self-serve 100LL avgas is available 24 hours a day.
General aviation parking is not permitted on the air carrier ramp.
A landing fee and passenger facility charge apply to unscheduled air carrier and charter operations.
Taxiway A is the preferred taxiway for air carrier and charter operations using the air carrier ramp.
A ground communication outlet is available on frequency 121.725 for Memphis Center (ZME).
For clearance delivery, if unable to reach via the ground communication outlet, contact Memphis Center.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Northwest Alabama Regional has five airfields within 33 NM. The closest is Courtland, 13.94 NM east.
Part of the Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KMSL
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KMSL.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the primary runway length at KMSL?
KMSL, Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, has two paved runways available for arrivals and departures. Runway 12/30 is the longer of the two at 6,694 feet with a width of 150 feet, and it carries higher-capacity PCR values than the crosswind runway. Runway 18/36 measures 4,000 feet by 100 feet. The 6,694-foot length on 12/30 accommodates most business jet types operating into this field. Surface on both runways is asphalt.
Are there operating restrictions on runway 18/36 at Northwest Alabama Regional?
Yes, runway 18/36 at Northwest Alabama Regional (KMSL) carries a specific limitation for scheduled and charter operations. It is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 operations when scheduled passenger-carrying flights exceed 9 passenger seats, or when non-scheduled passenger-carrying flights exceed 30 passenger seats. Operators planning larger charter or scheduled flights should plan to use runway 12/30 instead, which does not carry this restriction. This limitation applies specifically to the shorter, narrower 4,000-foot runway.
Is customs clearance available on site at KMSL?
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport does not have onsite customs clearance. The nearest customs facility is at KDCU, located approximately 33.27 nautical miles away. Flights requiring customs processing near Muscle Shoals should plan to route through that facility instead. Operators should confirm hours and procedures at KDCU directly, since arrangements at KMSL itself do not include customs service.
What fuel is available at KMSL and when?
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, KMSL, stocks both 100LL avgas and Jet A fuel. According to airport remarks, 100LL is available self-serve on a 24-hour basis. Fuel service more broadly is noted as available at night, aligning with the field's general attendance schedule of 0600 to 1800 daily. Pilots needing fuel outside staffed hours can rely on the self-serve avgas option, though Jet A availability outside attended hours should be confirmed in advance.
Does business aviation traffic at KMSL vary by season?
Yes, business aviation traffic at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport shows a seasonal concentration according to FAA TFMSC data for 2025. Monthly bizav operations ranged from a low of 180 in February to a high of 262 in September, with the second half of the year, particularly August through October, showing consistently elevated volumes compared to the winter months. Total annual business aviation operations at KMSL reached 2,750 out of 4,961 total annual operations. Dispatchers scheduling into KMSL during the fall months should anticipate relatively higher traffic levels.