
Tunica, Mississippi, is a small town with a big offering for visitors. It is home to the Tunica Municipal Airport, a public-use airport located just two kilometres from the town's centre. The airport covers 863 acres of land and sits at an elevation of 194 feet above sea level. It has a runway that can accommodate large aircraft and has seen passenger traffic grow over the years, with casino charters and flights to destinations like Atlanta. While Tunica Municipal Airport is the closest airport to the town, those travelling internationally may prefer to fly into Memphis International Airport, which is 38 miles away.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Nearest major airport | Memphis International Airport (38 miles away) |
Has an airport | Yes, Tunica Municipal Airport |
Airport code | IATA: UTM, ICAO: KUTA, FAA LID: UTA |
Airport owner | Tunica County Airport Commission |
Airport opening year | 2003 |
Runway length | 8,500 feet |
Aircraft operations (2021) | 10,943 (30 per day) |
Aircraft based at airport (2021) | 24 (16 single-engine, 6 multi-engine, 2 jet) |
What You'll Learn
Tunica Municipal Airport
Tunica, Mississippi is a small town that is served by several airports in the region. The closest major airport to Tunica, Mississippi is Memphis International Airport (MEM/KMEM) in Memphis, Tennessee, which is 38 miles from Tunica's centre. Tunica is also home to Tunica Municipal Airport, a public-use airport located 5 miles from the town centre.
The airport consists of a general aviation terminal and a commercial terminal, with several hangars. It is owned by the Tunica County Airport Commission and is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011-2015, categorised as a general aviation facility. Tunica Municipal Airport has not had scheduled commercial airline passenger service since 2011, but it does receive charter flights and military aircraft.
In 2005, Tunica Municipal Airport received its Part 139 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, allowing large jets to land. The first large jet to land at the airport was a 125-passenger Boeing 737 in November 2005. The airport has seen several commercial airlines come and go over the years, including AirTran Airways, Vision Airlines, and Boston-Maine Airways operating as Pan Am Clipper Connection. Despite the loss of some commercial services, casino charters have helped grow passenger traffic.
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Closest major airport: Memphis International Airport
Tunica, Mississippi, is a small town with a big draw as a tourist destination. It is home to several casinos, which have driven the development of the town's airport, Tunica Municipal Airport. However, the closest major airport to Tunica is Memphis International Airport (MEM/KMEM). This airport is 38 miles from Tunica, MS, and is located in Memphis, Tennessee.
Memphis International Airport is easily accessible from Tunica, and offers a wider range of domestic and international flights than the smaller Tunica Municipal Airport. As a major airport, it is likely to have more frequent flights and potentially better deals on airfare.
Tunica Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located just 2 km east of Tunica's central business district. It covers 863 acres of land and sits at an elevation of 194 feet above sea level. The airport has one runway, which was extended in 2004 and again in 2008 to accommodate larger aircraft.
The airport has seen significant growth in passenger traffic, particularly from casino charters. In 2007, the airport handled nearly 50,000 charter passengers, and by 2010, total passenger traffic exceeded 65,000. However, it has not had scheduled commercial airline passenger service since 2011.
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Charter flights
Tunica, Mississippi, is served by Tunica Municipal Airport, also known as Tunica Muni Airport or Tunica Airport, which offers charter flights. The airport's official code is UTA.
Stratos Jet Charters, Linear Air, and JetLevel Aviation all offer private jet charter services to and from Tunica. These companies offer a range of aircraft to suit different travel needs, from luxurious jets to efficient turboprops.
Stratos Jet Charters provides an online pricing estimator to help customers calculate the cost of chartering a plane to Tunica. The company also offers suggestions for attractions in Tunica, such as the Tunica Museum, which traces the history of the area from its Native American origins through to the present day.
JetLevel Aviation also provides tailored private jet charter experiences for visitors to Tunica, including insider information on the best casino experiences and the local blues scene. The company offers direct access to Tunica's renowned gaming scene and the scenic beauty of the Mississippi River.
For those seeking an alternative airport, Memphis International Airport (ICAO: KMEM) is located just 39-40 miles from Tunica and offers services like car rental, dining, and shopping. Tunica Municipal Airport is just 2 miles east of Tunica, but travellers seeking additional amenities may prefer the urban setting of Memphis International.
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Passenger boardings
Tunica, Mississippi is served by Tunica Municipal Airport, a public-use airport located one nautical mile (2 km) east of the central business district of Tunica, in Tunica County, Mississippi, United States. The airport is owned by the Tunica County Airport Commission, which is governed by a five-member board of directors.
The airport consists of a general aviation terminal, a commercial terminal, and two 20,000 sq. ft. hangars. It has an 8,500-foot runway that can accommodate large jets and offers a range of amenities for customers, including a full-service line department, business centre, rental car and limo services, and catering upon request.
The airport has experienced some setbacks, such as the loss of the Clipper Connection service in 2006 and the closure of Harrah's casino in 2014, which resulted in a significant decrease in charter flights. However, the airport continues to serve the region, providing charter and private flight services.
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Runway length
Tunica, Mississippi, has two airports: Tunica Municipal Airport and Ralph M. Sharpe Airport.
Tunica Municipal Airport (IATA: UTM, ICAO: KUTA, FAA LID: UTA, formerly M97) is a public-use airport located one nautical mile (2 km) east of Tunica's central business district. It covers an area of 863 acres (349 ha) at an elevation of 194 feet (59 m) above sea level. The airport has one runway designated 17/35 with an asphalt surface. The runway's dimensions are 8,500 by 150 feet (2,591 x 46 m).
The airport opened in 2003 with a 5,500-foot runway, which was extended to 7,000 feet in 2004 to accommodate larger aircraft. In 2007, the airport completed another expansion project, extending the runway to its current length of 8,500 feet. This project also included extending the taxiway and constructing a new hangar.
Ralph M. Sharpe Airport (FAA LID: 30M) is a privately-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles (4 km) south of Tunica's central business district. It covers an area of 10 acres (4 ha) at an elevation of 195 feet (59 m) above sea level. The airport has one runway designated 1/19 with an asphalt and turf surface. The runway measures 2,508 by 80 feet (764 x 24 m).
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Tunica has an airport called Tunica Municipal Airport.
The airport codes for Tunica Municipal Airport are UTM (IATA), KUTA (ICAO), and UTA (FAA).
Tunica Municipal Airport is located approximately 2 km east of the central business district of Tunica.
The airport opened in 2003 with a 5,500-foot runway.
Tunica Municipal Airport has an elevation of 194 feet (59 m) above mean sea level.