Tucson Airport: Size, Growth, And Future Plans

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 airport has a rich history, dating back to 1919 when Tucson opened the first municipally-owned airport in the United States. Today, it is the second busiest airport in Arizona, with over 3.7 million passengers in 2019 and offering daily nonstop airline service to 23 destination airports across the US. Tucson International Airport has a variety of facilities and services, including multiple concourses, gates, and checkpoints, as well as parking, transportation, and baggage options. The airport also has a long-term lease with the Tucson Airport Authority, which operates both Tucson International and Ryan Airfield. So, how big is the Tucson Airport?

Tucson International Airport's history

Tucson International Airport, located 8 miles (13 km) south of downtown Tucson, Arizona, has a long history that dates back to the early days of aviation. Here is a detailed account of the airport's history:

The Early Years

In 1919, Tucson opened the first municipally-owned airport in the United States, marking the beginning of scheduled air service in the region. Standard Airlines connected Tucson to Los Angeles in 1927, and in 1930, American Airways (now known as American Airlines) acquired the Tucson route, expanding it to include Douglas, El Paso, and eventually Atlanta. During this time, the airport consisted of a small terminal building with a long porch where passengers waited before walking to their planes and climbing portable stairs to board.

Expansion and Development

In the 1940s, the Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) was established as a non-profit organization to manage the airport and promote aviation in the region. On October 14, 1948, the TAA signed a lease with the City of Tucson for a vacant landing strip, paving the way for expansion. The airport continued to grow, and by the 1950s, it had become a bustling hub for military and civilian aviation. The Arizona Air National Guard activated the 152nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron in 1956, operating Korean War vintage F-86A Sabres. The same year, the Civil Aeronautics Board approved routes for Trans World Airlines (TWA), and in 1957, airlines scheduled 21 daily departures from Tucson.

International Recognition

In 1961, Continental Airlines arrived in Tucson, and the following year, the Tucson Municipal Airport became Tucson International Airport. This change was brought about by the arrival of a foreign carrier, Aeronaves de Mexico, and the establishment of a federal inspection station with U.S. Customs. The airport continued to expand, with extensive remodelling in 1985 doubling the size of the terminal and adding jet-way boarding.

Recent Improvements

Tucson International Airport has continued to evolve to meet the needs of its passengers and the aviation industry. In 2014, the TAA approved a new control tower to replace the vintage tower from the 1950s. In 2016, the Terminal Optimization Program was announced, which included improvements to security, concessions, and the efficient use of space. The airport currently offers daily nonstop airline service to 23 destinations across the U.S. and Canada, with connections to over 400 destinations worldwide.

Terminals, concourses and gates

Tucson International Airport (TUS) has one terminal with a straightforward layout spread across three levels. The terminal is organised into three concourses: A, B, and C.

Concourse A has nine gates, A1 through A9, and Concourse B has eleven gates, B1 through B11. These concourses are located within the main terminal building. Both concourses inside the main terminal offer food, beverage, and shopping, and free wireless internet and charging stations. Lactation suites, part of the Mamava network, are available on both concourses to provide privacy for nursing mothers. Concourse C, which consists of a single gate, C1, is situated in a separate building west of the main terminal.

The ground level of the terminal is designated for baggage claim and passenger pick-up. The outdoor areas outside baggage claim on the lower level of the main terminal serve as animal relief areas for service animals and pets. The upper level includes airline ticketing, concessions, and access to the airline gates, managed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Security checkpoints are located in Concourse A, Concourse B, and the Main Terminal. Passengers are required to go through security before entering the gate area. The third level is designated for meetings and conference rooms and also includes the Tucson Airport Authority offices.

Tucson International Airport offers daily nonstop airline service to 23 destination airports across the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, there are one-stop connections to more than 400 destinations around the world.

Military presence

Tucson International Airport is a civil-military airport, located 8 miles (7.0 nmi; 13 km) south of downtown Tucson, in Pima County, Arizona. The airport is owned by the City of Tucson and is the second busiest airport in Arizona after Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The military use of Tucson Airport began in 1956 with the Arizona Air National Guard activating the 152d Fighter Interceptor Squadron, an Air Defense Command (ADC)-gained unit, which operated Korean War vintage F-86A Sabres. The base consisted of an old adobe farmhouse and a dirt-floor hangar with enough space for three aircraft. Today, the 162nd Wing is the largest Air National Guard fighter unit in the United States, operating over 70 F-16C/D/E/F aircraft in three squadrons. The airport also hosts the Morris Air National Guard Base, a 92-acre complex on the northwest corner of the airport that is home to the 162nd Wing, an Air Education and Training Command (AETC)-gained unit of the Arizona Air National Guard.

The Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) has been instrumental in the military presence at the airport. In 1948, the TAA was created as a non-profit corporation to operate the airport and make policy decisions. The TAA was involved in bringing the Hughes Missile Plant, now known as Air Force Plant 44 and operated by Raytheon, to Tucson. The TAA sold the land to the Hughes Aircraft Co. for the construction of the plant. The TAA also operates the TUS Military Lounge, which is funded and operated by the TAA with the help of community donations for stocking food and beverages.

In addition to the military presence at Tucson International Airport, it is worth noting that much of Tucson is officially designated as "territory in the vicinity of a military airport" due to the presence of major military airports in Arizona, including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, the Yuma Proving Ground near Yuma, and Luke Air Force Base in western Maricopa County. This designation is intended to increase awareness of the presence of military airports and prevent erosion of local support for their continued operation, as well as to encourage land use plans that are compatible with the airports' operations.

Passenger numbers

Tucson International Airport (TUS) is the second busiest airport in Arizona, after Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It is owned by the City of Tucson and is located 8 miles (13 km) south of downtown Tucson, in Pima County, Arizona, United States.

The airport has seen consistent growth in passenger numbers over the years, with 2019 being its fifth busiest year. That year, the airport recorded almost 3.8 million passengers, an increase of 179,377 passengers compared to 2018. According to Danette Bewley, President and CEO of the Tucson Airport Authority, this growth can be attributed to the region's business successes and the recovery of the tourism industry.

In 2011, Federal Aviation Administration records showed that the airport handled 1,779,679 enplanements, a slight decrease from 1,844,228 in 2010. The airport's Terminal Optimization Program (TOP), which began in June 2016 and concluded in November 2017, aimed to improve the passenger experience and enhance capacity.

Tucson International Airport offers daily nonstop airline service to 23 domestic destinations. It has one terminal with three concourses: Concourse A has nine gates (A1-A9), Concourse B has eleven gates (B1-B11), and Concourse C, in a separate building, has one gate (C1). The airport provides convenient services such as curbside drop-off, baggage claim, and a variety of transportation options, including public buses and rental cars.

The Tucson Airport Authority, which manages the airport, has implemented strategies to accommodate the growing passenger numbers and improve the airport's facilities. With a long-term lease until 2098, the TAA is committed to developing Tucson International Airport as a thriving hub for air commerce in Arizona.

Parking and transport

Tucson International Airport is located 8 miles (13 km) south of downtown Tucson, in Pima County, Arizona. It is the second busiest airport in Arizona, with 142,389 operations in the year ending December 31, 2022.

Tucson International Airport has a range of parking and transport options for travellers. For those driving to the airport, there are several parking options available, including the Tucson EZ Parking lot, which offers affordable rates and secure parking. There are also 28 free parking spaces available off Airport Drive, west of the Terminal Building. However, drivers must remain with their vehicles while waiting for arriving passengers in these spaces.

The airport also provides public transportation options. Sun Tran bus routes 11 and 25 serve the airport, providing easy access for travellers without cars. Additionally, the airport has one terminal with three concourses (Concourse A, B, and C) and three levels. The ground level is designated for baggage claim and passenger pick-up, making it convenient for those being picked up by car. The upper level includes airline ticketing, concessions, airline gates, and TSA, while the third level is for meetings and conference rooms.

The airport has also implemented the Terminal Optimization Program (TOP), which includes various improvements such as enhanced concession and revenue opportunities, an upgrade of building systems, and maximised use of space. These improvements aim to provide a better experience for travellers and optimise the use of the terminal.

Frequently asked questions