Tucson, Arizona: Airport Availability And Accessibility

Tucson, Arizona, is served by Tucson International Airport (IATA: TUS, ICAO: KTUS, FAA LID: TUS), a civil-military airport owned by the City of Tucson. It is located 8 miles (13 km) south of downtown Tucson, in Pima County, and is the second busiest airport in Arizona. Tucson International Airport is the only airport in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, which is the natural habitat of the majestic saguaro cactus. The airport has a long history, dating back to 1919 when Tucson opened the first municipally-owned airport in the United States. Today, it is recognised for its innovative health and safety solutions, leading the way in cleanliness and stress-free travel.

Tucson International Airport (TUS)

Tucson International Airport (IATA: TUS, ICAO: KTUS, FAA LID: TUS) is a civil-military airport owned by the City of Tucson. It is located 8 miles (7.0 nmi; 13 km) south of downtown Tucson, in Pima County, Arizona, United States. It is the second busiest airport in Arizona, after Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The airport is operated on a long-term lease by the Tucson Airport Authority, which also operates Ryan Airfield, a general aviation airport.

The airport has a long history, with the first municipally-owned airport in the United States opening in Tucson in 1919. The current location of the airport was established south of Valencia Road in the post-World War II era, with the Tucson Airport Authority being created in 1948. A new control tower was constructed in 1958, replacing the original wooden-framed version from World War II. The airport has undergone various renovations and improvements over the years, including the addition of an international inspection station and a new terminal designed by Terry Atkinson in 1963. The terminal was featured in the 1974 film Death Wish starring Charles Bronson.

Tucson International Airport has one terminal with three concourses: Concourse A has nine gates (A1-A9), Concourse B has eleven gates (B1-B11), and Concourse C, located in a separate building west of the main terminal, has one gate (C1). The terminal offers various amenities, including food, beverage, shopping options, and free wireless internet and charging stations. The airport also hosts the Morris Air National Guard Base, a 92-acre complex on the northwest corner that is home to the 162nd Wing, the largest Air National Guard fighter unit in the United States.

In terms of operations, the airport had 142,389 operations in the year ending December 31, 2022, averaging 390 per day. There were 416 aircraft based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, military, and helicopter aircraft. The airport offers daily nonstop airline service to 23 destination airports across the U.S. and one-stop connections to over 400 destinations worldwide.

Military use of Tucson Airport

Tucson International Airport (IATA: TUS, ICAO: KTUS, FAA LID: TUS) is a civil-military airport owned by the City of Tucson. It is located 8 miles (7.0 nmi; 13 km) south of downtown Tucson, in Pima County, Arizona, United States.

The military use of Tucson Airport dates back to 1956 when the Arizona Air National Guard activated the 152d Fighter Interceptor Squadron, an Air Defense Command (ADC)-gained unit. The squadron operated Korean War-era F-86A Sabres out of a rudimentary base consisting of an old adobe farmhouse and a dirt-floor hangar that could accommodate three aircraft. Over the years, the wing has operated various aircraft, including the F-86 Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-102 Delta Dagger, A-7 Corsair II, and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Today, the 162nd Wing, known as the Morris Air National Guard Base, is the largest Air National Guard fighter unit in the United States, operating over 70 F-16C/D/E/F aircraft across three squadrons.

In 1987, the airport lengthened its primary runway by half a mile to the southeast, citing noise abatement reasons, and installed arresting barriers specifically designed for military planes. This expansion accommodated the growing military presence at the airport.

As of 2022, the airport continues to host a significant military presence, with 19% of its operations involving military aircraft and 73 military aircraft based at the airport.

In recent years, Tucson International Airport has been associated with deportation flights. The federal government, under the Trump Administration, has utilized large military aircraft to deport undocumented migrants. These operations are supported by the U.S. Transportation Command, which provides military airlift to Immigration and Customs Enforcement removal flights.

Airlines that fly to TUS

Tucson, Arizona is served by the Tucson International Airport, also known as Tucson Airport or simply Tucson. The airport is located 8 miles (13 km) south of downtown Tucson in Pima County, Arizona. It is the second busiest airport in Arizona, and a primary commercial service airport, with over 10,000 passenger boardings per year.

Tucson International Airport has a rich history, dating back to 1919 when Tucson opened the first municipally-owned airport in the United States. The airport was later moved to its current location south of Valencia Road, and in 1948, the Tucson Airport Authority was established to manage its operations and policy decisions.

Several airlines serve Tucson International Airport, providing both domestic and international flights. Here is a list of some of the airlines that fly to and from Tucson (TUS):

• Alaska Airlines: Offers nonstop flights to TUS from Seattle (PAE), Portland (PDX), and Everett (PAE).
• American Airlines: One of the airlines offering flights to Tucson, with prices starting at $59 for certain routes.
• Delta: Another carrier providing flights to Tucson, with fares starting at $59 on specific routes.
• Frontier Airlines: This airline has a presence at Tucson Airport, with their postal services located at the Landside, next to the entrance of Gate B.
• Aeromexico: In the past, Aeromexico offered nonstop McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 jet service to Tucson from Guaymas and Hermosillo.
• Aviacion del Noroeste: Previously operated nonstop Fokker F27 turboprop service from Hermosillo to Tucson.
• Trans World Airlines (TWA): Approved for routes out of Tucson in 1956, but flights did not commence until December of that year.

Public transportation to the airport

Tucson International Airport (IATA: TUS, ICAO: KTUS, FAA LID: TUS) is located 7-8 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona. The airport is accessible by public transportation, primarily through the Sun Tran bus service. Specifically, the Sun Tran bus routes No. 11 and No. 25 connect the airport with various locations across Tucson.

In addition to the bus service, Tucson International Airport is served by a range of taxi, limousine, and shuttle services. These include private and shared shuttle services, such as the Prime Time Shuttle, which offers eco-friendly and affordable transportation to and from the airport. Passengers can also choose from over 70 car services and limousines operating between the airport and destinations across Southern Arizona.

For those staying at hotels and resorts, some accommodations provide complimentary transportation to and from the airport, while others may charge a fee for this service. It is recommended that arriving passengers confirm the availability and cost of this service with their respective hotels.

Furthermore, for those travelling in larger groups, shuttle services in Tucson offer a range of vehicle options, including basic shared rides, Sedan and SUV services, and even 9-passenger vans to accommodate larger groups. These services can be booked in advance, with the option to save favourite locations and payment information for faster and more convenient reservations.

Tucson Airport Authority

Tucson International Airport (IATA: TUS, ICAO: KTUS, FAA LID: TUS) is located around 8 miles south of downtown Tucson, in Pima County, Arizona. It is owned by the City of Tucson and is the second busiest airport in Arizona after Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The airport is operated on a long-term lease by the Tucson Airport Authority (TAA), a non-profit corporation created in 1948 to operate the airport and oversee policy decisions.

The TAA board consists of nine members elected by a group of up to 115 volunteer residents from Pima County, Arizona. The airport was originally located west of three hangars vacated by World War II military manufacturing companies, but it was moved to its current location south of Valencia Road in the late 1950s. The TAA was responsible for constructing a new control tower in 1958, replacing the original WWII wooden-framed version, and for bringing the Hughes Missile Plant (now Air Force Plant 44) to Tucson.

The TAA operates both Tucson International Airport and Ryan Airfield, a general aviation airport. The TAA does not receive local tax dollars; instead, its operations are funded through revenues from parking, space rentals, land leases, fuel sales, airline landing fees, and concessions. Capital improvements, such as runway and terminal construction, are funded through state and federal grants.

The Tucson International Airport has seen significant growth in recent years, with a 6.1% increase in passengers in March 2024 compared to the previous year, making it the busiest month in 16 years. The airport has also undergone several renovation and optimization projects, including the Concourse Renovation Project completed in 2005, which added 82,000 square feet to ticketing and baggage claim areas, and the Terminal Optimization Program announced in 2016.

Frequently asked questions