Jazmin Li
Memphis International Airport, located 7 miles southeast of downtown Memphis, is a civil-military airport that serves as the primary international airport for the city. The airport's code is MEM, with an ICAO code of KMEM and an FAA LID of MEM. The airport covers 3,900 acres and has four runways, with an average of over 80 passenger flights per day. Memphis International Airport is also known as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll and the home of the blues.
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What You'll Learn
Memphis International Airport's IATA, ICAO and FAA codes
Memphis International Airport, located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, is a civil-military airport. It is the primary international airport serving Memphis and covers 3,900 acres (1,600 hectares) of area. The airport has four runways and three terminals (A, B, and C) with a single concourse.
Memphis International Airport is identified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code 'MEM'. This code is a unique three-letter designation that is assigned to airports across the world by the IATA to provide a standard identifier for each airport. The IATA code is used in various applications, such as flight schedules, baggage tags, and airline ticketing.
The airport's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) code is 'KMEM'. The ICAO code is a four-letter designation that is used for flight planning and air traffic control purposes, particularly in international air travel. It helps to ensure accurate and unambiguous identification of airports worldwide.
Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assigned the airport the location identifier 'MEM' or 'FAA LID: MEM'. This code is used for aviation purposes within the United States and helps identify the airport's location.
These codes, assigned by the IATA, ICAO, and FAA, are essential for effective air traffic management, baggage handling, and clear communication in the aviation industry. They play a crucial role in ensuring safe and efficient air travel, not just at Memphis International Airport but at airports around the globe.
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The airport's location
Memphis International Airport (IATA: MEM, ICAO: KMEM, FAA LID: MEM) is located 7 miles (or 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. It is the primary international airport serving Memphis and is home to the FedEx Express global hub, often referred to as the FedEx Superhub or simply the Superhub.
The airport is accessible from Interstate 240 at exit 23B via Plough Blvd and Jim McGehee Pkwy, as well as through Winchester Rd. The MATA route 28 bus offers connections to the Hudson and Airways transit centres. The nearest airport to Memphis International Airport is Olive Branch Airport, which is 11.76 miles away.
Memphis Municipal Airport, which was dedicated in 1929, was originally located on a 200-acre (81 ha) plot of farmland just over seven miles (11 km) from downtown Memphis. It had three hangars and an unpaved runway, with passenger and airmail service provided by American Airlines and Chicago and Southern Air Lines (acquired by Delta Air Lines in 1953). A modern terminal was built in 1938 to accommodate increased commercial passenger service.
In 1969, Memphis Municipal Airport changed its name to Memphis International Airport. The current terminal was designed by Mann & Harrover and opened on June 7, 1963. In 1974, the terminal was expanded with the addition of two new concourses and extensions to the existing ones, at a cost of $31.6 million. In October 2022, the Airport Authority announced a revised master plan, which includes expanding the terminal, parking, car rental spaces, and runways. Construction is set to begin in the summer of 2024.
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History of the airport
Memphis International Airport (IATA: MEM, ICAO: KMEM, FAA LID: MEM) is a civil-military airport located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis, Tennessee. 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 plot of farmland seven miles from downtown, as the site for the proposed airport. Memphis Municipal Airport, consisting of three hangars and a sod field runway, was dedicated in 1929. By the following year, the airport had its first lighted runway, and American Airways and Chicago and Southern Airlines were serving up to 15 passengers per day.
A modern terminal was built in 1938 to meet the demands for increased commercial passenger service. In 1939, Eastern Air Lines arrived, offering one departure a day to Muscle Shoals and beyond. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command 4th Ferrying Group used Memphis while sending new aircraft overseas. When the United States entered the war, the U.S. Army assumed control of the airport facilities, halting further expansion until 1947.
In 1956, a new Airport Planning Commission was named, and its members wanted to design and build a new airport terminal to meet the rising demands of the "Jet Age." The new $5.5 million terminal was dedicated on June 7, 1963, and Memphis Municipal changed its name to Memphis Metropolitan Airport. The airport's name was changed again in 1969 to Memphis International Airport to reflect its status as a point of origin and entry point for international passengers and cargo.
In 1973, Federal Express (now FedEx Express) moved its operations to Memphis and opened its current "SuperHub" facility on the airport's north side. In 1985, Republic Airlines chose Memphis International Airport as one of its hubs, boosting commercial passenger service. In 1986, Republic merged into Northwest Airlines, which operated around 300 daily flights at its peak, including international flights to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
In June 1995, Memphis International Airport accommodated its first nonstop Northwest/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Memphis-to-Amsterdam flight, marking the airport's first transatlantic passenger service. From 1993 to 2009, Memphis International Airport was the world's busiest airport for cargo operations. It dropped to second place in 2010 but regained the top spot briefly in 2020 due to the surge in e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Terminal and concourse layout
Memphis International Airport, also known as MEM, 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. All non-pre-cleared international flights are processed on the southwestern leg of Concourse B. The main terminal has a TSA PreCheck lane, allowing eligible passengers to use a dedicated lane for expedited security screening. The main terminal also has several restaurants, including Maggie O'Shea's and Blue Note Lounge.
Concourse A features a Brooks Brothers store, while the Main Terminal has a PGA Tour Shop and a Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame store. Concourse B has a food court with several fast-food chains, including McDonald's, Quiznos, and Cinnabon. There are also shower facilities, a meditation room, and workstations throughout the airport.
The airport's passenger terminal can be accessed from Interstate 240 at exit 23B via Plough Blvd and Jim McGehee Pkwy. It can also be accessed through Winchester Rd. The MATA route 28 bus offers connections to the Hudson and Airways transit centers. The Ground Transportation Center, completed in 2013, offers economy parking and facilities for car rental companies.
In 2022, Memphis opened a new consolidated de-icing facility at the airport's southern edge, with capacity for 12 wide-body planes and two new taxiway bridges. The Airport Authority also announced plans for expansion, including more space for parking and car rentals, and runway expansions. Terminal construction is set to begin in the summer of 2024.
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Airlines that use the airport
Memphis International Airport (IATA: MEM, ICAO: KMEM, FAA LID: MEM) is located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis, Tennessee, United States. The airport serves as the primary international airport for Memphis and covers 3,900 acres (1,600 ha), featuring four runways and three terminals (A, B, and C) with a single concourse.
Memphis International Airport is home to the FedEx Express global hub, often referred to as the FedEx Superhub, which handles a significant volume of the company's packages. Nonstop FedEx destinations from Memphis encompass cities across the continental United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America.
Throughout its history, various airlines have utilised Memphis International Airport as a hub or a destination. Here is a list of airlines that have been associated with the airport:
- Delta Air Lines: Delta has a strong presence at Memphis International Airport, offering nonstop service to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City. In the past, Delta maintained Memphis as a hub, operating up to 200 flights per day in 2009.
- American Airlines: American Airlines provided passenger and airmail services to Memphis Municipal Airport, the predecessor of Memphis International Airport, from its early years.
- Chicago and Southern Air Lines: This airline, acquired by Delta Air Lines in 1953, also offered passenger and airmail services to Memphis Municipal Airport in its early days.
- Eastern Air Lines: Eastern Air Lines commenced operations from Memphis in 1939, initially offering one departure per day to Muscle Shoals and beyond.
- Southern Airways: This airline was an important regional carrier at Memphis in the 1960s. It merged with Republic Airlines in 1979.
- Republic Airlines: Republic established Memphis as a hub operation in 1985 before merging into Northwest Airlines in 1986. Northwest operated a significant number of daily flights, including international destinations.
- Northwest Airlines: Northwest Airlines, which acquired Republic Airlines in 1986, offered international flights to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. They also operated flights to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in partnership with KLM.
- KLM: As a partner of Northwest Airlines, KLM provided Memphis' first transatlantic passenger service to Amsterdam.
Today, Memphis International Airport continues to serve thousands of passengers every month, with the majority of customers originating or arriving in Memphis. The airport averages over 80 passenger flights per day, with American Airlines being the largest airline by the number of departures.
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Frequently asked questions
The Memphis International Airport Identifier is MEM.
The airport identifier code is a unique 3-letter code assigned to airports by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The ICAO code for Memphis International Airport is KMEM.
The FAA code for Memphis International Airport is MEM, the same as its IATA code.
Yes, the closest airport to Memphis International Airport is Olive Branch Airport, which is 11.76 miles away.
