Memphis International Airport

Memphis International Airport
Name	Memphis International Airport
IATA	MEM
ICAO	KMEM
FAA	MEM
Owner	Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
City-served	Memphis, Tennessee
Location	Shelby County, Tennessee
Elevation-f	341
Elevation-m	104
Coordinates	35, 02, 33, N...
Website	https://flymemphis.com

Memphis International Airport is a major public airport located in Shelby County, Tennessee, approximately seven miles south of downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Owned and operated by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, it serves as a primary hub for cargo operations and a focus city for passenger service. The airport features three main runways and a recently renovated terminal complex, facilitating both domestic and limited international travel.

History

The airport's origins date to 1927 when the Memphis Municipal Airport opened on a different site, with early operations involving carriers like American Airlines and Chicago and Southern Air Lines. During World War II, the facility was leased to the United States Army Air Forces and known as Army Air Base Memphis, training pilots for the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator. Renamed in 1969 to reflect growing international cargo service, it became a central hub for Federal Express (now FedEx Express), transforming the airport into a global air cargo leader. Major terminal expansions occurred in the 1960s and 1980s, with a significant modernization project completed in the 2020s consolidating operations into a single, efficient concourse.

Facilities

The airport sits on approximately 3,900 acres and features three parallel runways, the longest being 11,120 feet, capable of handling the largest cargo aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Antonov An-124. The single terminal building houses a unified concourse with 50 gates, post-security connectivity between all gates, and amenities including concessions by local establishments like Huey's and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. The campus includes the massive FedEx Express World Hub, a sorting facility covering hundreds of acres that is critical to the FedEx global network, and separate fixed-base operator facilities for general aviation.

Airlines and destinations

Following the downsizing of Delta Air Lines' hub in the 2010s, passenger service is now primarily provided by Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, offering direct flights to major domestic hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Denver. The sole scheduled international passenger destination is Cancún, served by Southwest Airlines. The dominant carrier is FedEx Express, whose operations connect Memphis to destinations worldwide, with other cargo airlines including UPS Airlines and DHL Aviation also maintaining a presence.

Statistics

For many years, it was the world's busiest cargo airport by tonnage, a title now held by Hong Kong International Airport, but it remains a top global cargo gateway. In 2023, it handled over 4.5 million metric tons of cargo, with FedEx Express accounting for the vast majority of movements. Annual passenger traffic typically exceeds 4 million, a figure that has stabilized following the hub restructuring. The airport is a critical economic engine for the Memphis region, supporting thousands of jobs directly and through related logistics and supply chain industries.

Ground transportation

The airport is accessible via Interstate 55 and State Route 385, with rental car facilities provided by companies like Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Public bus service is operated by the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA), offering routes to downtown Memphis and other key areas. Taxi, rideshare services, and hotel shuttles are readily available, while long-distance Amtrak rail service can be accessed at the Memphis Central Station.

Accidents and incidents

A significant accident occurred on July 6, 1953, when a Douglas DC-3 operated by Air Carrier Service Corporation crashed shortly after takeoff, killing the two crew members. On October 10, 1973, a Douglas DC-9 operated by Ozark Air Lines collided with a Swearingen Merlin during landing in foggy conditions, resulting in minor injuries. The airport has also been the site of notable hijackings, including a 1972 incident involving a Southern Airways flight diverted to Cuba.

Category:Airports in Tennessee Category:Transportation in Memphis, Tennessee