Owais Crawford
Nashville International Airport (IATA: BNA, ICAO: KBNA, FAA LID: BNA) is a public/military airport in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. In September 2024, a passenger arriving at the airport reported seeing armed police officers in the terminal and a severe traffic backup outside due to police vehicles blocking the arrivals and departures lanes. The reason for this was a major drug bust, with more than 100 pounds of marijuana seized.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Nashville International Airport |
| IATA | BNA |
| ICAO | KBNA |
| FAA LID | BNA |
| Location | Southeastern section of Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| Year Established | 1937 |
| Original Name | Berry Field |
| Current Terminal Built | 1987 |
| Renamed | 1988 |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Area Covered | 4,555 acres (1,843 ha) of land |
| Status | Busiest airport in Tennessee |
| Airlines First Served | American Airlines and Eastern Air Lines |
| Year of First Jets | 1961 |
| Number of Destinations | 99 across the US and several international destinations |
| Average Daily Aircraft Movements (2022) | 600 |
| Military Facilities Name | Joint Base Berry Field |
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What You'll Learn
Nashville International Airport is a public/military airport
Nashville International Airport, located in the southeastern section of Nashville, Tennessee, is a public/military airport. Established in 1937, it was originally named Berry Field, derived from Col. Harry S. Berry, the Tennessee administrator for the Works Progress Administration. The airport's current terminal was built in 1987, and it adopted its current name in 1988.
Nashville International Airport is the busiest airport in Tennessee, with more arrivals and boardings than any other airport in the state. It offers services to 99 destinations across the United States and several international locations. In 2022, it averaged 600 daily aircraft movements. The airport's four runways cover 4,555 acres of land.
The airport has undergone several expansions and modernizations over the years. During World War II, the military enlarged it, and in 1958, the city aviation department initiated plans for further expansion. A new terminal opened in 1961, along with the extension of an existing runway and the construction of a new crosswind runway. Nashville International Airport became the first municipal airport in the U.S. with a public reading room when the Nashville Public Library opened a branch inside the terminal in 1962.
In the 1970s, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) developed a long-term growth plan that included a new terminal and a parallel runway to increase capacity. Construction of the new terminal, designed by Robert Lamb Hart, began in 1984 and was completed in 1987. This terminal featured three main concourses, a commuter concourse, and an international wing, solidifying the airport's status as an international gateway.
The airport has continued to evolve with expansion programs such as BNA Vision and New Horizons, focusing on enhancing facilities, increasing concourse spaces, improving baggage handling, and expanding the terminal roadway.
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The airport was established in 1937 as Berry Field
Nashville International Airport was established in 1937 as Berry Field. The airport was originally a 340-acre plot of land composed of four farms along Dixie Parkway (now Murfreesboro Pike). Construction began in 1936 as one of the first major Works Progress Administration projects in the area. The airport was dedicated on November 1, 1936, as Berry Field, named after Col. Harry S. Berry, the Tennessee administrator for the Works Progress Administration.
When it opened in June 1937, the occasion was marked with parades, an air show, and an aerial bombardment display by the 105th Aero Squadron, which was based at the field. At the time, the airport covered just over 300 acres and had basic facilities. It was used as a base for the military until 1946. As passenger numbers climbed, the airport soon needed revamping and was expanded during the early 1960s.
In 1961, a new 145,000-square-foot terminal opened by Briley Parkway, west of Runway 2L. That year, the first jets at Berry Field, American Airlines 720/720Bs, began scheduled service, and the six airlines that served Nashville carried a combined total of 532,790 passengers. These renovations also included the expansion of an existing runway and the construction of a new crosswind runway. In 1962, Nashville became the first municipal airport in the United States with a public reading room when the Nashville Public Library opened a branch inside the terminal.
By the 1970s, the airport once again needed expansion and modernisation. In 1973, the newly created Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) finalised a plan for the airport's long-term growth. In the early 1980s, the MNAA commissioned Robert Lamb Hart, in association with the firm of Gresham, Smith and Partners, to design a modern terminal. Construction began in 1984 and was completed in 1987. The new terminal had three main concourses and a smaller commuter concourse radiating from a distinctive three-story atrium. An international wing was built in Concourse A, and the airport was renamed Nashville International Airport/Berry Field.
The Berry Field name is rarely used today, but the airport's IATA code of BNA is short for Berry Field Nashville, and the military facilities at the airport are still commonly known by this name.
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It was enlarged during World War II
Nashville International Airport, originally named Berry Field, was established in 1937. The airport was dedicated on November 1, 1936, and opened in June 1937 with celebrations including parades, an air show, and an aerial bombardment display.
During World War II, the airport was enlarged by the military. This expansion continued in the following decades, with the city aviation department beginning plans to further expand and modernise the airport in 1958.
In 1961, a new 145,000-square-foot terminal opened west of Runway 2L, and the first jets at Berry Field, American Airlines 720/720Bs, began scheduled service. These renovations included the expansion of an existing runway, with 2L/20R extended by 600 feet, and the construction of a new crosswind runway, 13/31.
In 1962, Nashville International Airport became the first municipal airport in the United States to have a public reading room when the Nashville Public Library opened a branch inside the terminal.
By the 1970s, further expansion was required, and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) finalised plans for long-term growth, including a new terminal and a new parallel runway.
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The airport has four runways and covers 4,555 acres of land
Nashville International Airport (IATA: BNA, ICAO: KBNA, FAA LID: BNA) is a public/military airport in the southeastern section of Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Established in 1937, the airport was originally named Berry Field, after Col. Harry S. Berry, the Tennessee administrator for the Works Progress Administration. The airport covers 4,555 acres (1,843 ha) of land and has four runways.
The airport's original 340-acre (1.4 km2) plot was selected in 1935 by a citizens' committee, organised by Mayor Hilary Ewing Howse. Construction began in 1936, and the airport was dedicated on November 1, 1936, opening in June 1937. The new airport had three asphalt runways, a three-storey passenger terminal, a control tower, two hangars, and a beacon. During World War II, the airfield was requisitioned by the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command and enlarged to 1,500 acres (6.1 km2).
By the 1950s, the city aviation department began planning to expand and modernise the airport. A new terminal opened in 1961, and the first jets began scheduled service. In the 1970s, the airport once again needed expansion and modernisation. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) was created and finalised plans for long-term growth, including a new terminal and a new parallel runway. Construction of the new terminal began in 1984 and was completed in 1987, along with an international wing. The airport was then renamed Nashville International Airport/Berry Field, though it rarely uses the latter part of the name.
Nashville International Airport now offers service to 99 destinations across the United States and internationally. It averages 600 daily aircraft movements and is the busiest airport in Tennessee.
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A new terminal was built in 1987
Nashville International Airport has come a long way since its establishment in 1937. The airport, originally named Berry Field, has undergone numerous expansions and modernizations to accommodate the growing aviation needs of the region.
In the early 1980s, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) commissioned Robert Lamb Hart, in association with Gresham, Smith and Partners, to design a modern terminal. This decision was part of the long-term growth plan for the airport, recognizing the need for further expansion and modernization beyond the renovations completed in the 1960s and 1970s.
Construction of the new terminal began in 1984 on the opposite side of the existing two crossing runways. After three years of dedicated work, the new terminal was completed in 1987. This terminal featured a distinctive design, boasting three main concourses and a smaller commuter concourse radiating from a three-story atrium. An international wing was also incorporated into Concourse A, reflecting the airport's growing global reach.
The completion of the new terminal in 1987 marked a significant milestone in the airport's history. It not only enhanced the airport's capacity and functionality but also contributed to its evolving identity. In 1988, the airport officially adopted the name Nashville International Airport, with the Berry Field name being retained in the airport's IATA code (BNA) and for its military facilities.
The construction of the new terminal in 1987 set the foundation for Nashville International Airport's continued growth and development. It solidified the airport's position as a key aviation hub in the region, catering to the travel needs of a growing number of passengers and destinations. Today, Nashville International Airport is the busiest airport in Tennessee, serving 99 destinations across the United States and beyond, with an average of 600 daily aircraft movements in 2022.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2024, a major drug bust took place at Nashville Airport. Over 100 pounds of marijuana were seized, with an estimated value of $40,000.
Nashville International Airport (IATA: BNA, ICAO: KBNA, FAA LID: BNA) was established in 1937 and was originally named Berry Field. The airport's current terminal was built in 1987, and it took on its current name in 1988.
The airport was named after Col. Harry S. Berry, the Tennessee administrator for the Works Progress Administration. The IATA code BNA is derived from Berry Field Nashville.
The first airlines to serve Nashville Airport were American Airlines and Eastern Air Lines. American Airlines established a hub at the airport in 1986 but closed it in 1995. Southwest Airlines then gradually filled the void.
