Tupelo Regional Airport

Tupelo Regional Airport is a public airport located three miles west of the central business district of Tupelo, Mississippi, in Lee County, Mississippi. The airport is owned by the City of Tupelo and serves the surrounding areas, including Itawamba County, Mississippi, Monroe County, Mississippi, and Pontotoc County, Mississippi. It is near the Tombigbee National Forest and the Natchez Trace Parkway, and is also close to the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University. The airport is a vital transportation hub for the region, providing access to major cities like Memphis, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

● Overview

The airport has a single runway, designated as 18/36, which is 6,500 feet long and 150 feet wide. The runway is equipped with a Precision Approach Path Indicator and a Runway End Identifier Lights system, making it suitable for a variety of aircraft, including Cessna 172 and Beechcraft Bonanza. The airport is also home to several fixed-base operators, including Tupelo Aviation and North Mississippi Aviation, which offer a range of services, including fueling, maintenance, and flight instruction. The airport is also close to the Elvis Presley Birthplace and the Tupelo Automobile Museum, making it a popular destination for tourists visiting the area, including fans of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

● History

The airport was established in 1942 as a training base for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. The airport was used for training pilots and aircrew, and was also used as a staging area for aircraft being deployed to Europe and North Africa. After the war, the airport was transferred to the City of Tupelo and was developed into a public airport, with the first commercial flights beginning in the 1950s. The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including the construction of a new terminal building in the 1980s and the extension of the runway in the 1990s. The airport has also been visited by several notable figures, including Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.

● Facilities

The airport has a single terminal building, which houses the airport's administrative offices, as well as facilities for passengers, including a Federal Aviation Administration-approved fixed-base operator and a United States Customs and Border Protection facility. The terminal building also has a restaurant and a gift shop, and offers free Wi-Fi and parking for passengers. The airport is also home to several aircraft maintenance and repair facilities, including Tupelo Aviation Services and North Mississippi Aircraft Services, which offer a range of services, including airframe and engine maintenance, and avionics installation and repair. The airport is also close to the North Mississippi Medical Center and the Tupelo Public School District.

● Airlines_and_Destinations

The airport is served by several airlines, including American Eagle and Delta Connection, which offer flights to major hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The airport also has flights to other regional airports, including Memphis International Airport and Nashville International Airport, and is also a popular destination for general aviation and charter flights. The airport is also close to the University of Tennessee at Martin and the Mississippi University for Women.

● Statistics

The airport handles around 20,000 passengers per year, with the majority of flights being operated by American Eagle and Delta Connection. The airport also handles a significant amount of cargo traffic, with FedEx Express and UPS Airlines operating regular flights to and from the airport. The airport is also a popular destination for business aviation, with many companies, including Toyota and General Motors, having facilities in the area. The airport is also close to the Tupelo Furniture Market and the Mississippi State Fairgrounds.

● Accidents_and_Incidents

There have been several accidents and incidents at the airport over the years, including a fatal crash in 2001 involving a Cessna 421 and a non-fatal incident in 2010 involving a Beechcraft King Air. The airport has also been affected by several severe weather events, including a tornado in 2011 that caused significant damage to the airport's facilities. The airport is also close to the National Weather Service office in Jackson, Mississippi, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has a presence in the area. The airport has also been visited by several emergency response teams, including the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.