Memphis Airport: Size, Scale, And Significance

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a civil-military airport located seven miles southeast of downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Covering 3,900 acres, it is the primary international airport serving Memphis and a significant hub in the southeastern United States. With four runways, three terminals, and a single concourse, it offers a range of amenities, including ample parking, car rental, dining options, retail stores, and free Wi-Fi. MEM is also a global cargo hub, home to the FedEx Express Superhub, making it the busiest cargo airport in North America and the second busiest worldwide.

The airport covers 3,900 acres and has four runways

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a civil-military airport located about seven miles southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. Covering 3,900 acres, it is a significant hub in the southeastern United States, known for its passenger services and role as a global cargo hub.

The airport's history dates back to the late 1920s when Mayor Watkins Overton established a municipal Airport Planning Commission in 1927. The commission selected Ward Farm, a 200-acre site, for the proposed airport, and the Memphis Municipal Airport was dedicated in 1929. It initially featured three hangars and a sod field runway, with American Airways and Chicago & Southern Airlines as its major carriers. By 1930, the airport had a lighted runway and served up to 15 passengers per day.

To accommodate growing commercial passenger demand, a modern terminal was constructed in 1938. However, with the United States' entry into World War II, the airport facilities were taken over by the U.S. Army, stalling expansion until 1947. A new planning commission in 1956 embarked on designing and building a new terminal to cater to the "Jet Age." This terminal, dedicated in 1963, featured 22 gate positions, enabling seven airlines to operate daily flights.

Today, Memphis International Airport boasts three terminals (A, B, and C) with a single concourse (Concourse B) that has 23 common-use gates and two international gates. The airport averages over 80 passenger flights per day and is served by prominent carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. It offers direct flights to key domestic destinations and seamless connections for international travel. With four runways and a vast expanse of 3,900 acres, the airport efficiently supports the travel needs of the Mid-South region, catering to residents, visitors, and business travellers alike.

It is located 7 miles southeast of downtown Memphis

Memphis International Airport is located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. The airport covers 3,900 acres (1,600 ha) and has four runways.

The airport is conveniently located just a few miles south of downtown Memphis, providing easy access to the city and its surrounding areas. It is served by various airlines, including major carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. These airlines offer direct flights to key domestic destinations like Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Denver, and New York, facilitating seamless connections for further travel.

Memphis International Airport is also a global cargo hub, thanks to the presence of the FedEx World Hub, also known as the Super Hub. The airport features a user-friendly terminal with ample parking spaces, a comprehensive car rental center, taxi services, and ride-sharing options. Inside the terminal, passengers can find various dining options, retail stores, free Wi-Fi, and lounge areas for relaxation.

The history of Memphis International Airport dates back to the late 1920s. In 1927, Memphis Mayor Watkins Overton created a municipal Airport Planning Commission, which chose Ward Farm, a 200-acre tract seven miles from Downtown, as the site for the proposed airport. The Memphis Municipal Airport was dedicated on June 14, 1929, and by the following year, it had its first lighted runway and up to 15 passengers per day. A modern terminal was built in 1938 to accommodate the growing demand for commercial passenger service.

It is a civil-military airport

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a civil-military airport located about seven miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. It is the primary international airport serving Memphis and the second-busiest cargo airport in the world, after Hong Kong.

The airport covers 3,900 acres (1,600 hectares) and has four runways. It is home to the FedEx Express global hub, often referred to as the FedEx Superhub or simply the Superhub, which processes many of the company's packages. Nonstop FedEx destinations from Memphis include cities across the continental United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America.

Memphis International Airport has a long history, dating back to the early days of aviation. Memphis started its aviation industry in 1927 when Mayor Watkins Overton created a municipal Airport Planning Commission. The commission chose Ward Farm, a 200-acre tract about seven miles from downtown, as the site for the proposed airport. The Memphis Municipal Airport was dedicated on June 14, 1929, and by the following year, it had its first lighted runway. During its early years, the airport had three hangars and an unpaved runway, with American Airways and Chicago & Southern Airlines as its major carriers.

The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years to meet the demands of increasing passenger and cargo traffic. A modern terminal was built in 1938 to accommodate more commercial passenger service. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command 4th Ferrying Group used the airport to send new aircraft overseas. In 1963, a new $5.5 million terminal was dedicated, and the airport was renamed Memphis Metropolitan Airport. The terminal was expanded again in 1974 for $31.6 million, adding two new concourses and extending the existing ones.

Today, Memphis International Airport offers a wide range of amenities and services for passengers, including ample parking, a comprehensive car rental centre, taxi services, ride-sharing options, dining options, retail stores, and free Wi-Fi. The airport is served by various major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines, offering direct flights to key domestic and international destinations.

It has three terminals (A, B, C) with a single concourse

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a civil-military airport located about seven miles southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. Covering 3,900 acres of land, it is the primary international airport serving Memphis and the second-busiest cargo airport in the world.

The airport currently has three terminals (A, B, and C) with a single concourse. Concourse B is the only active concourse with 23 common-use gates and two international gates. It can be accessed from Interstate 240 at exit 23B via Plough Blvd and Jim McGehee Pkwy, or via Winchester Rd. MATA Bus #28 connects the airport to the Hudson and Airways transit centres.

Concourse A is scheduled for demolition in 2025, while Concourse C is currently closed to the public. All non-pre–cleared international flights are processed on the southwestern leg of Concourse B. The airport features a user-friendly terminal with ample parking spaces, a comprehensive car rental centre, taxi services, and ride-sharing options. Inside the terminal, passengers can find various dining options, retail stores, free Wi-Fi, and lounge areas for relaxation.

Memphis International Airport has a long history, dating back to 1927 when the city's Mayor, Watkins Overton, established a municipal Airport Planning Commission. The commission chose Ward Farm, a 200-acre site, for its potential to accommodate future growth. The Memphis Municipal Airport was dedicated in 1929, featuring three hangars and an unpaved runway. A modern terminal was constructed in 1938 to cater to the growing demand for commercial passenger service. During World War II, the airport's facilities were utilised by the U.S. Army, causing a pause in its expansion until 1947.

In 1956, a new Airport Planning Commission was appointed, leading to the design and construction of a new terminal that opened in 1963. This terminal expansion cost $6.5 million and included the addition of two new concourses and the extension of existing ones. The airport was renamed Memphis Metropolitan Airport in 1969 and later changed to Memphis International Airport to reflect its role as an international gateway.

It is the busiest cargo airport in North America

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is the busiest cargo airport in North America and the second busiest in the world. The airport is located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. Covering 3,900 acres (1,600 ha), it has four runways and three terminals (A, B, and C) with a single concourse.

The busiest cargo airport in North America owes its status to the FedEx Express World Hub, also known as the FedEx Superhub or simply the Superhub. FedEx is responsible for about 99% of the overall cargo handled at MEM, with more than 450 combined arrivals and departures per day. The company employs over 11,000 people at its Memphis hub and has more than 34 million square feet of space under lease, with some sources stating up to 40.9 million square feet. FedEx operates almost 400 flights per day and handles more than 180,000 packages and 245,000 documents per hour at its Memphis hub.

The Superhub was established in 1973 when FedEx (then Federal Express) moved its operations from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Memphis. The company's founder, Fred Smith, was drawn to Memphis because of its temperate climate and location near the country's mean population center. The Superhub facility opened on the north side of the airport in 1981 and has been expanded over the years to accommodate FedEx's growing operations.

In addition to FedEx, the United Parcel Service (UPS) also has a significant presence at MEM. UPS has a campus of approximately 134 acres, with ongoing expansion plans to increase its footprint to 424,000 square feet.

Memphis International Airport also serves thousands of passengers each month, with an average of over 80 passenger flights per day. The airport offers nonstop flights to destinations across North America, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and more, as well as convenient connections to international flights.

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