Meridian Regional Airport: Where Is It Located?

where is meridian regional airport located

Meridian Regional Airport (IATA: MEI, ICAO: KMEI, FAA LID: MEI) is a joint civil-military airport located in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, United States. The airport is situated 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) southwest of Meridian, serving as a key transportation hub for the region. With its convenient location, Meridian Regional Airport offers both commercial and general aviation services, connecting passengers to major hubs for further travel.

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Meridian Regional Airport is located 3 miles from Meridian, Mississippi

Meridian Regional Airport (IATA: MEI, ICAO: KMEI, FAA LID: MEI) is located 3 miles from Meridian, Mississippi, United States. The airport is a joint civil-military public-use airport located at Key Field, a joint-use public/military airfield. Meridian Regional Airport serves as a key transportation hub for the region, offering both commercial and general aviation services. It is not one of the busiest airports in the United States but plays a crucial role in the region's transportation network.

The airport is conveniently located for travellers to access the city's central areas. It is mostly used for general aviation and military traffic, but it is also served by commercial airlines. The airport typically has scheduled commercial flights operated by regional affiliates of larger airlines, connecting passengers to major hubs where they can access a wider network of flights. For example, in the past, it has had service connections to hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport through partnerships with airlines like American Eagle.

Meridian Regional Airport was established in 1928 and opened in November 1930 with the completion of the terminal, hangar, powerhouse, and a graded and packed dirt runway. The airport is owned by the Meridian Airport Authority and is home to the longest public-use runway in Mississippi, with a length of 10,003 feet. Key Field covers an area of 1,000 acres at an elevation of 298 feet above mean sea level and has two runways.

There are several attractions and amenities near the airport, including hotels, restaurants, Bonita Lakes Park, shopping centres, and cultural institutions such as the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum and the Meridian Museum of Art. These attractions offer a diverse range of experiences for travellers seeking to explore the heart of the South and make Meridian a worthwhile destination.

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The airport is owned by the Meridian Airport Authority

Meridian Regional Airport (IATA: MEI, ICAO: KMEI, FAA LID: MEI) is a joint civil-military public-use airport located at Key Field, a joint-use public/military airfield. The airport is owned by the Meridian Airport Authority and is located 3 miles (5.6 km or 3.5 mi) southwest of Meridian, a city in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, United States. The airport is relatively small and is not one of the busiest in the country, but it is a crucial transportation hub for the region, offering both commercial and general aviation services.

The Meridian Regional Airport Authority operates Meridian Aviation, a full-service fixed-base operator (FBO) on the airport premises. The airport is home to the longest public-use runway in Mississippi, with a length of 10,003 feet (3,049 metres). Key Field covers an area of 1,000 acres (405 hectares) and has two runways. The primary runway, 1/19, measures 10,003 by 150 feet (3,049 by 46 metres) and has an asphalt and concrete surface. The secondary runway, 4/22, is 4,599 by 150 feet (1,402 by 46 metres) with an asphalt surface.

The airport has a rich history, established in 1928 and opening in November 1930 with the completion of the terminal, hangar, powerhouse, and a graded and packed dirt runway. During the Great Depression, the City of Meridian considered abandoning the airport due to maintenance costs. However, the Key Brothers, who operated the Key Brothers' Flying School at Bonita, successfully campaigned to keep the airport open by breaking the standing flight endurance record, bringing worldwide attention to the airport.

Today, Meridian Regional Airport continues to serve the region, providing convenient access to the city centre and offering a range of transportation options for travellers, including car rental agencies, taxi services, and potential shuttle services to local accommodations and other key locations. The airport also has a variety of dining options nearby, ranging from fast food to sit-down restaurants. For travellers seeking leisure activities, Bonita Lakes Park offers outdoor attractions such as walking trails, fishing, and boating.

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It is used for civil, military, and commercial aviation

Meridian Regional Airport (IATA: MEI, ICAO: KMEI, FAA LID: MEI) is a joint civil-military airport located in Meridian, Mississippi, United States. It is situated about 3 miles (5 kilometres) from the city centre, in Lauderdale County. Meridian Regional Airport is a relatively small airport, serving the local area and acting as a key transportation hub for the region. The airport offers both commercial and general aviation services, with scheduled commercial flights operated by regional affiliates of larger airlines. These flights connect passengers to major hubs, providing access to a broader network of flights. For instance, in the past, the airport has had service connections to hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport through partnerships with airlines such as American Eagle.

The airport is owned by the Meridian Airport Authority and is home to the Mississippi Air National Guard's 186th Air Refueling Wing (186 ARW) at the Air National Guard enclave, Key Field Air National Guard Base. The 186 ARW operates a fleet of KC-135R Stratotanker aerial refuelling and cargo aircraft. Additionally, the airport is also home to the Mississippi Army National Guard's 111th Army Aviation Support Facility, Company B, which operates CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

Key Field, where the Meridian Regional Airport is located, covers an area of 1,000 acres (405 hectares) and has an elevation of 298 feet (91 metres) above mean sea level. It boasts the longest public-use runway in Mississippi, with a length of 10,003 feet (3,049 metres). The airport had a total of 86,751 aircraft operations in the 12-month period ending March 31, 2021, with 71% military, 25% general aviation, 4% air taxi, and less than 1% scheduled commercial flights. There were 78 aircraft based at the airport during that time.

Meridian Regional Airport has a rich history, established in 1928 and opened in November 1930 with the completion of the terminal, hangar, powerhouse, and a graded dirt runway. The airport faced potential abandonment during the Great Depression due to maintenance costs, but the Key Brothers, who co-managed the facility, kept it afloat by breaking the flight endurance record, bringing worldwide attention to the airport and Meridian.

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The airport is near the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum

Meridian Regional Airport (IATA: MEI, ICAO: KMEI, FAA LID: MEI) is a civil-military airport located in Meridian, Mississippi, United States. The airport is situated 3 miles (4.8 km) from the city centre of Meridian, making it easily accessible for travellers. It is owned by the Meridian Airport Authority and is home to the longest public-use runway in Mississippi, at 10,003 feet (3,049 m) in length.

The Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum is housed in the historic Soulé Steam Feed Works factory, which operated from 1892 until 1980. The factory remains intact, with antique equipment and fittings that appear untouched since World War II. Visitors can explore the site through self-guided tours, which are available Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. The museum also offers operational steam engines on certain weekends, typically the first Friday and Saturday of November.

In addition to its proximity to the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum, Meridian Regional Airport is surrounded by other attractions. These include Bonita Lakes Park, a large scenic area offering outdoor activities such as walking trails, fishing, and boating. The airport is also conveniently located near hotels, restaurants, and shopping centres, providing a range of amenities for travellers and locals alike.

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It is home to the Mississippi Air National Guard's 186th Air Refueling Wing

Meridian Regional Airport (IATA: MEI, ICAO: KMEI, FAA LID: MEI) is a civil-military airport located in Meridian, Mississippi, United States. The airport is situated 3 nautical miles (5.6 km or 3.5 miles) southwest of the city centre, in Lauderdale County. Meridian Regional Airport is a relatively small airport, serving the local area and acting as a key transportation hub for the region.

The airport is home to the Mississippi Air National Guard's 186th Air Refueling Wing (186 ARW). The 186 ARW is a unit of the Mississippi Air National Guard, with over 1,200 officers and airmen. The group was first organised in October 1962 as the 186th Tactical Reconnaissance Group. It served in this capacity until 1992, when it converted to an air refuelling mission and received Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers. The 186 ARW provides worldwide air refuelling support to the combat commands of the United States Air Force and other military forces of the United States and its allies.

The 186 ARW operates from the Air National Guard enclave, Key Field Air National Guard Base. Key Field covers an area of 1,000 acres, with two runways. The primary runway, 1/19, is 10,003 feet long and has an asphalt and concrete surface, while the secondary runway, 4/22, is 4,599 feet long with an asphalt surface. Key Field is also home to the Mississippi Army National Guard's 111th Army Aviation Support Facility, Company B, which operates a fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

The 186th Air Refueling Wing has seen worldwide duty, supporting various operations such as Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wing provided staff to assist with testing and vaccinations. The 186 ARW also established a training detachment called "Project Liberty" in 2008 to bolster intelligence-gathering capabilities for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Frequently asked questions

Meridian Regional Airport is located in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, United States. It is approximately 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the city center of Meridian.

Meridian Regional Airport is located approximately 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) southwest of Meridian, Mississippi. This convenient location makes it easy for travelers to get to and from the airport and the city's central areas.

There are several attractions near Meridian Regional Airport, including the MSU Riley Center, a beautifully restored performing arts center, and the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum, which offers insights into the region's industrial history. Bonita Lakes Park, a large scenic area offering outdoor activities such as walking trails, fishing, and boating, is also located near the airport.

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