Knoxville Airport: Size, Scope, And Scale

Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport is a public and military airport located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. Covering 2,250 acres, the airport features two levels, with the top level home to ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants and shops, and the bottom level used for car rental counters, baggage claims, and airline and airport offices. The airport also has two parallel runways, with the north runway being 10,000 feet long and the other 9,000 feet long.

Runway expansion

Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) covers 2,250 acres (9.1 km2) at an elevation of 986 feet (301 m). The airport has two levels, with the top level featuring ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants, and shops, while the bottom level is used for car rental counters, baggage claims, and airline and airport offices.

In 2021, the airport completed a multi-year runway expansion project, lengthening the north runway, 5L/23R, to 10,000 feet (3,000 m). This $133-134 million project was funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Air National Guard Bureau, and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. The expansion involved levelling the ground and extending the runway by 1,000 feet, allowing heavier planes to take off and remain in the air for longer, enabling more direct commercial flights.

The runway expansion is part of the airport's ongoing development to meet the growing needs of the region. In 2023, the airport announced a six-gate expansion to the terminal, with a target completion date of 2028. This will include expanding the current parking garage to six stories and adding 3,500 parking spots.

McGhee Tyson Airport first opened in 1930 and has since undergone numerous improvements, including the construction of new cargo and passenger terminals, the addition of new concourses and gates, and the development of maintenance facilities for various airlines. The airport handles commercial airline service, air cargo operations, military, and general aviation, with an estimated annual economic impact of $1 billion on the region.

Two levels

Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport is a two-level airport located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. Covering 2,250 acres of land, the airport boasts a total of 12 gates across its two levels. The top level, which can be accessed via the curbside drop-off and parking garage, features ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants, and shops. The design of this level incorporates a Smoky Mountain theme, replete with faux waterfalls and wooden carvings of bears. It also offers a seamless connection to the outdoors with its floor-to-ceiling glass walls and strategically placed skylights.

The bottom level, on the other hand, caters to car rental counters, three baggage claims, airline offices, and airport offices. This level ensures efficient handling of ground operations, facilitating a smooth travel experience for passengers. The airport's two levels are designed to accommodate a variety of airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines.

The airport's expansion projects over the years have contributed to its growth and improved functionality. In 2000, a significant renovation took place, involving the concourse design. This project, costing $53 million, resulted in a centralised concourse, enlarged hold rooms, and improved efficiency. Additionally, improvements to the passenger terminal were completed in 2000 at a cost of $70 million, adding two new concourses and 12 new gates.

McGhee Tyson Airport also handles a range of operations, including commercial airline services, air cargo, military, and general aviation. The airport is a hub for various aircraft, with 104,459 operations recorded in 2023, averaging 286 per day. It is both a public and military airport, serving as a convenient and accessible gateway to the region. The airport's direct and indirect economic impact is estimated at $1 billion annually, highlighting its significance to the local economy and employment in East Tennessee.

Military and public airport

Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport is a public and military airport located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. Covering 2,250 acres of land, it is the premier air facility in East Tennessee. The airport was named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was lost on patrol during World War I.

The airport handles a variety of operations, including commercial airline services, air cargo operations, and military and general aviation. It is home to one fixed-base operator (FBO), Signature Flight Support, which provides fuel and services to commercial carriers and accommodates the general aviation industry. In 2023, the airport recorded 104,459 aircraft operations, with an average of 286 flights per day. The breakdown of these operations includes 46,858 general aviation, 18,433 air taxi, 9,952 military, and 29,216 air carrier flights. Additionally, 186 aircraft were based at the airport, including 84 single-engine, 26 multi-engine, 50 jet, 22 military, and 4 helicopter aircraft.

McGhee Tyson Airport has undergone significant development over the years. In 1990, runway 5R/23L was rebuilt to a length of 9,000 feet. A new 21-acre cargo facility was constructed in 1992 to serve Federal Express, UPS, and Airborne Express. In 2000, a $70 million improvement project was completed, resulting in a new centralised concourse, two additional concourses, 12 new gates, ticket counters, and a restaurant. The airport received a $27.9 million grant in 2016 for a runway expansion project, which included lengthening the north runway, 5L/23R, to 10,000 feet. The expanded runway was reopened in December 2021.

The airport's terminal building has two levels. The top level, accessible via curbside drop-off and the parking garage, houses ticket counters, security checkpoints, gates, restaurants, and shops. It features a Smoky Mountain theme with faux waterfalls and wood carvings of bears. The bottom level is dedicated to car rental counters, baggage claims, and various airline and airport offices. As of 2023, the airport is planning a six-gate expansion to the terminal, aiming for completion by 2028, to accommodate the region's growing aviation demands.

Economic impact

Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport, located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, is the premier air facility serving East Tennessee. The airport covers 2,250 acres of land and has a significant economic impact on the region.

The direct and indirect economic impact of the airport is estimated at $1 billion annually. This includes various factors such as payroll, local spending, transportation cost savings, capital spending, and induced benefits. The aviation industry has created numerous jobs, which are perhaps the most important direct benefit the airport offers to the region. The airport handles a significant volume of commercial airline services, air cargo operations, military aviation, and general aviation. In 2023, the airport recorded 104,459 aircraft operations, with an average of 286 aircraft movements per day. The same year, 186 aircraft were based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, military, and helicopter aircraft. The airport also serves as a maintenance and training centre for various airlines and aircraft companies.

McGhee Tyson Airport has undergone several expansion and improvement projects over the years, with significant investments made to enhance its facilities. In 2000, a $53 million project was completed, which included the reconfiguration of the concourse design, resulting in a centralised concourse with improved functionality and efficiency. In 2002, an aircraft maintenance facility was constructed for Northwest Airlines at a cost of $9.3 million. More recently, in 2024, airport officials announced a six-gate expansion to the terminal, with a target completion date of 2028, to accommodate the growing demands of the region. These expansion projects create construction jobs and further contribute to the economic development of the area.

The airport also generates revenue through its various concessions and services. The concourse features centralised concession facilities, offering convenience to travellers. Additionally, the airport provides short-term and long-term parking options, car rental services, and nearby area hotels, catering to the diverse needs of its passengers and visitors. The presence of these businesses and the associated spending by travellers further contribute to the economic activity in the region.

Overall, McGhee Tyson Airport plays a crucial role in the economic development of East Tennessee. Its direct and indirect impacts, including job creation, business opportunities, and increased economic activity, highlight the airport's significance to the region's prosperity. The continued investments in expansion and improvement projects ensure that the airport remains a vital transportation hub, connecting Knoxville to the rest of the nation and contributing to its long-term economic growth.

Design and architecture

McGhee Tyson Airport, located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, is the premier air facility in East Tennessee. The airport covers 2,250 acres of land and has two levels. The top level, which can be accessed from the curbside drop-off and parking garage, features ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants, and shops. It is designed with a Smoky Mountain theme, featuring faux waterfalls and wood carvings of bears. The bottom level is used for car rental counters, three baggage claims, airline offices, and airport offices. There are currently 12 gates, although the airport announced a six-gate expansion in 2023, with a target completion date of 2028.

In 1974, the airport opened a new passenger terminal. Twenty-six years later, in 2000, the terminal underwent a complete renovation led by MHM Architects in collaboration with HNTB Architects. The $53 million project included the demolition of two existing separate concourses and the construction of a new, centralised concourse. The new concourse features a single security checkpoint, centralised concession facilities, and enlarged hold rooms, improving the overall function and efficiency of the airport. The concourse covers 245,000 square feet and is designed with natural building materials such as Crab Orchard stone, integrating greenscape and water features inside and out. Large floor-to-ceiling glass walls and skylights create a strong indoor-outdoor connection. The project received several awards, including a Commendation in Architecture from AIA Tennessee and an Award of Merit from AIA East Tennessee in 2002.

In addition to the concourse renovation, other improvements have been made to the airport over the years. In 1990, runway 5R/23L was rebuilt to 9,000 feet in length. Eight years later, in 1998, a new 21-acre cargo facility was constructed on the north side of the airport to accommodate Federal Express, UPS, and Airborne Express. The project cost an estimated $9.3 million. In 2002, an aircraft maintenance facility was built for Northwest Airlines. Most recently, in 2016, the airport received a $27.9 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for a runway expansion project. The north runway, 5L/23R, was lengthened to 10,000 feet, with the project completing in 2021.

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