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Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a civil-military airport located 7 miles southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. It is the primary international airport serving Memphis and is home to the FedEx Express global hub, often referred to as the Superhub. The airport has been a hub for several airlines over the years, including Republic Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. While it has seen a decline in passenger traffic in recent years, it remains a significant cargo hub, ranked as the busiest cargo airport in North America and the second busiest in the world.
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What You'll Learn
Memphis International Airport is a civil-military 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 in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. It covers 3,900 acres (1,600 ha) and has four runways.
The airport is home to the FedEx Express global hub, often referred to as the FedEx 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. From 1993 to 2009, Memphis International was the world's busiest airport for cargo operations, and it remains one of the busiest cargo airports worldwide.
The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) Board of Commissioners manages the airport. The airport serves as a large base for Delta Air Lines and offers nonstop flights on Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United, and Spirit. MEM's top destinations throughout North America include major cities such as Atlanta, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and more.
Memphis International Airport has a long history, dating back to its early years as Memphis Municipal Airport in 1929. It has since expanded and modernized, with a new terminal built in 1938 to accommodate commercial passenger service. Today, the airport continues to undergo improvements, with recent updates to Concourse B and the addition of a new de-icing facility. The airport authority has also revealed plans for further expansion, including terminal construction set to begin in the summer of 2024.
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It is home to the FedEx Express global hub
Memphis International Airport (IATA: MEM, ICAO: KMEM, FAA LID: MEM) is a civil-military airport located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. It covers 3,900 acres (1,600 ha) and has four runways.
The presence of the FedEx hub has had a significant impact on the airport's cargo operations. From 1993 to 2009, Memphis International Airport was the world's busiest airport for cargo operations. It retained its position as the busiest cargo airport in the United States and the Western Hemisphere even after dropping to second place globally in 2010. The airport briefly regained its top spot in 2020 due to the surge in e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The FedEx Superhub has contributed to Memphis's status as a global logistics network. Businesses located near the hub can leverage exceptional access to the FedEx network and explore new international commerce opportunities. Additionally, Memphis's strategic location and transportation infrastructure, including river, road, rail, and runway connectivity, further enhance its appeal for businesses.
The history of the FedEx hub in Memphis dates back to 1973 when Federal Express (now FedEx Express) moved its operations to the city from Little Rock, Arkansas. The company's founder, Fred Smith, favoured Memphis's temperate climate and central location within the country. Federal Express opened its current "SuperHub" facility on the north side of the airport in 1981 and continues to maintain a significant presence there.
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It was once a hub for Republic Airlines and Northwest Airlines
Memphis International Airport (IATA: MEM, ICAO: KMEM, FAA LID: MEM) is a civil-military airport located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. It is the primary international airport serving Memphis.
Memphis International Airport was once a hub for Republic Airlines and Northwest Airlines. Republic Airlines established Memphis as a hub operation in 1985. However, the airline did not remain independent for long, merging with Northwest Orient Airways in 1986, with the combined airlines adopting the Northwest Airlines name.
Northwest Airlines operated around 300 daily flights at the peak of its hub status, including international flights to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In 1995, Northwest Airlines launched Memphis's first transatlantic passenger service, a flight to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in partnership with KLM.
In 2008, Northwest Airlines was acquired by Delta Air Lines. Delta maintained Memphis as a hub, with 200 flights per day in 2009. However, Delta soon began to scale back its operations at the airport, discontinuing the Amsterdam route in 2012 and closing the Memphis hub in 2013.
Passenger traffic at Memphis International Airport declined in the years following the closure of the Delta hub, dropping to 3.5 million in 2015. Despite this, the airport remains an important cargo hub, serving as the global base for FedEx Express, often referred to as the FedEx Superhub.
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It is located 7 miles southeast of downtown Memphis
Memphis International Airport (IATA: MEM, ICAO: KMEM, FAA LID: MEM) is located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. The airport, which covers 3,900 acres (1,600 ha) and has four runways, is home to the FedEx Express global hub, often referred to as the FedEx Superhub or simply the Superhub. This hub processes many of the company's packages, with nonstop FedEx destinations across the world, including cities in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America.
The airport's location just 7 miles from the city centre is strategic. Memphis International Airport was established in 1929 on a 200-acre plot of farmland. In its early years, it featured three hangars and an unpaved runway. The airport's proximity to the city enabled it to provide passenger and airmail services from its inception. Over time, the airport expanded to meet the growing demands for commercial passenger service, with the construction of a modern terminal in 1938.
The location of Memphis International Airport has been pivotal in the development of the city of Memphis. The airport's proximity to the city centre makes it easily accessible for travellers, contributing to its popularity as a hub for passenger flights. At its peak, the airport averaged over 80 passenger flights per day, serving thousands of passengers every month. The airport's location has also played a significant role in the economic growth of the region. Memphis is the economic hub of a seven-state region, home to nearly five million people and several Fortune 500 companies. The airport's convenient location has facilitated business connections, allowing companies to reach more than 90% of the world's GDP within 72 hours and 75% of the United States population within a two-day drive.
The airport's location has also contributed to the growth of the FedEx hub. The Superhub's proximity to the city and its central position in the country have made it a strategic base for FedEx Express. The hub's location enables next-day deliveries worldwide, enhancing the company's global reach and solidifying Memphis International Airport's position as a critical cargo hub.
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It is the busiest cargo airport in North America
Memphis International Airport (MEM) is the primary international airport serving Memphis, Tennessee. It is located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis and covers 3,900 acres (1,600 ha), featuring four runways.
Memphis International Airport is home to the FedEx Express global hub, often referred to as the FedEx Superhub. The presence of this hub makes Memphis International Airport the busiest cargo airport in North America and the second busiest in the world. The FedEx Superhub processes many of the company's packages, with nonstop FedEx destinations from Memphis including cities across the continental United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America.
The history of the airport's cargo operations dates back to the 1970s. In 1973, Federal Express (now FedEx Express) moved its operations to Memphis from Little Rock, Arkansas. The company's founder, Fred Smith, was drawn to Memphis due to its temperate climate and location near the country's mean population centre. In 1981, FedEx opened its current "SuperHub" facility on the north side of the airport, and it continues to maintain a significant presence there today.
Memphis International Airport has a long history as a cargo hub. In 1993, it was recognised as the world's busiest airport for cargo operations, a title it held until 2010 when it was surpassed by Hong Kong. Despite losing its top ranking, Memphis remained the busiest cargo airport in the United States and the Western Hemisphere. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport experienced a surge in e-commerce, briefly regaining its position as the world's busiest cargo airport in 2020.
In addition to FedEx, Memphis International Airport serves as a large base for Delta Air Lines and offers nonstop flights on various airlines, including Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United, and Spirit. The airport averages over 80 passenger flights per day and provides convenient connections to international flights.
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Frequently asked questions
Memphis International Airport (IATA: MEM, ICAO: KMEM, FAA LID: MEM) is a civil-military airport located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States.
Memphis airport is the primary international airport serving Memphis. It is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world and is home to the FedEx Express global hub.
The airport's top destinations throughout North America include Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, and Salt Lake City.
Memphis International Airport offers a variety of shopping and dining amenities, as well as free Wi-Fi.
Memphis was announced as a hub in 1985 by Republic Airlines, which later merged with Northwest Airlines in 1986. Northwest operated around 300 daily flights at its peak, including international flights to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In 2008, Delta Air Lines acquired Northwest and initially planned to maintain Memphis as a hub, but later closed it in 2013.
