Best Airports To Fly Into Mississippi

which airport to take in mississipi

Mississippi has 22 airports, seven of which are considered major airports. The closest airport depends on where you are headed in Mississippi. For example, the closest airport to Mississippi State University is Golden Triangle Regional Airport, while the closest airport to Jackson, Mississippi is Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. If you are headed to the University of Mississippi, you should fly into Memphis International Airport in Memphis, Tennessee.

Characteristics Values
Airports in Mississippi Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport, Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Tupelo Regional Airport, Mid Delta Regional Airport, Meridian Regional Airport, Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport
Airports closest to specific cities Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is closest to the Gulf Islands National Seashore; Golden Triangle Regional Airport is closest to Tupelo; Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport serves Laurel
Number of flights per month Evers International Airport: 806; Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport: 386; Mid Delta Regional Airport: 30
Airlines American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Eagle, Delta Airlines, United, Frontier Airlines
Flight times Dallas, TX (DFW-Dallas-Fort Worth Intl.) to Evers International Airport: 1 hour and 32 minutes; Atlanta, GA (ATL-Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Intl.) to Evers International Airport: 1 hour and 18 minutes; Charlotte, NC (CLT-Charlotte-Douglas Intl.) to Evers International Airport: 2 hours and 1 minute
Cheapest time to fly February is the cheapest month to book flights to Mississippi

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Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT)

The airport has a variety of facilities to support its operations, including a 40,000-square-foot cargo facility. This cargo facility comprises 20,000 square feet of chiller space, 20,000 square feet of cargo sorting and distribution space, and 6,000 square feet of office space. The airfield also has efficient and safe airside access from the runway system, with the ability to facilitate large aircraft such as MD11s, DC10s, and B747s.

In terms of aircraft operations, Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport handles a significant volume of military and general aviation traffic. For the 12-month period ending January 31, 2018, the airport recorded 48,868 aircraft operations, with an average of 134 per day. Of these operations, 52% were military, 26% were general aviation, 8% were air taxi, and 14% were scheduled commercial flights. As of the fourth quarter of 2023, there were a total of 41 aircraft based at the airport, including single-engine, jet, multi-engine, and helicopter configurations.

The airport has experienced challenges, notably when it sustained severe damage from Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, leading to temporary closure. However, it reopened for first responder flights within days and resumed commercial flights in September of the same year. An extensive renovation was completed in 2007, demonstrating the airport's resilience and commitment to serving the community.

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Jackson's Hawkins Field Airport

The history of aviation in Jackson dates back to 1928 when the city purchased 151 acres of pasture land, known as the Davis Stock Farm, for $53,500. This land became Davis Field, Jackson's first airport, which was dedicated on November 9, 1928. Delta Air Lines made its maiden voyage that same year, with a flight from Dallas to Jackson and other cities en route to Atlanta.

In 1936, the Works Progress Administration's (WPA) Civil Conservation Corps (CCC) invested $62,150 to improve the airport by constructing a terminal building and paving an apron. The airfield was renamed Hawkins Field in 1941, honouring A.F. Hawkins. During World War II, the U.S. Army took over Hawkins Field and rapidly expanded the airport to accommodate their needs. The airfield featured four concrete runways and was used for basic and advanced single and twin-engine training.

After the war, in 1949, Hawkins Field was returned to civil control and reclassified as a civil airfield. However, it continued to be utilised by the military, with the Mississippi Air National Guard establishing a presence there in 1953. The airport underwent further changes in the 1960s, with the city annexing land in Rankin County to construct a new airport capable of accommodating jets, as Hawkins Field's longest runway was only 5,383 feet. The new Jackson Municipal Airport (now Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport) opened in 1963, and Hawkins Field transitioned into a general aviation airport.

Today, Hawkins Field Airport continues to serve the aviation needs of Jackson, Mississippi, and the surrounding area.

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Vicksburg

The airport has undergone several recent upgrades, including improvements to its facilities and services, to enhance the experience of those visiting Vicksburg.

With its convenient location, modern amenities, and easy access to the city of Vicksburg, the Vicksburg Municipal Airport is a great choice for those looking to explore this historic Mississippi River city and its surroundings.

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Tupelo

In the late 1970s, Southern merged with North Central Airlines to become Republic Airlines, which served Tupelo with Swearingen Metroliner turboprops offering non-stop flights from Atlanta and Memphis. Republic continued to serve Tupelo until the summer of 1984. By 1985, commuter airlines Scheduled Skyways and Flight Line were operating non-stop services to several destinations in Mississippi and Alabama with turboprops and small Cessna aircraft. In 1989, Northwest Airlink operated turboprop services on behalf of Northwest Airlines, offering non-stop flights from Memphis, Columbus, Laurel, and Hattiesburg. That same year, American Eagle operated flights on behalf of American Airlines, with turboprops offering non-stop service from Nashville and Tuscaloosa.

After Delta Connection ceased serving Tupelo in 2012, Silver Airways began service to Greenville, Muscle Shoals, and Atlanta using Saab 340s. Silver Airways terminated its service in October 2014, and SeaPort Airlines took over the route for one year. Following a five-month hiatus in service, Contour Airlines began daily flights to Nashville in April 2016, utilising twin-turboprop BAe Jetstream 31 aircraft. Contour has since upgraded its service, employing Embraer ERJ family regional jets. Tupelo Regional Airport has regained Primary Airport status with the FAA in recent years, reflecting its growing annual enplanements.

The airport also has a military presence, with the Mississippi National Guard basing AH-64 Apache and UH-72 Lakota military helicopters at the facility.

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Greenwood

The city is home to notable landmarks and attractions that showcase its rich history and cultural significance. Greenwood boasts a vibrant musical heritage, with legendary blues artists like B.B. King and Robert Johnson having performed in the region. The city also hosts the annual Mississippi Blues Festival, celebrating the state's profound impact on blues music.

In addition to its musical legacy, Greenwood offers a variety of other attractions. The Museum of the Mississippi Delta provides visitors with a glimpse into the region's diverse cultural and natural history. The museum features exhibits on archaeology, natural science, and local history, offering a comprehensive understanding of the area's past and present.

For those interested in architecture and historic sites, Greenwood presents a delightful array of options. The Downtown Greenwood Historic District showcases beautiful buildings, including the iconic Elks Club and the Old Greenwood High School. The Greenwood Railroad Depot, now housing the visitor centre, offers insights into the city's railway history.

Frequently asked questions

According to a user on Reddit, Jackson's Hawkins Field Airport is in a "bad area", but another user contends that while Jackson, Mississippi, isn’t “safe”, the airport itself is safe. The same user also mentions that the airport has Delta, Southwest, United Express, and American Eagle airlines, restaurants, bars, convenience shops, and two security checkpoints. Other users recommend the airports in Gulfport, Tupelo, and Greenwood.

Jackson has the largest airport in Mississippi and is one of only two airports in the state that has multiple airlines.

There is a small airport outside of Meridian, with maybe one or two commercial flights a day. Another small airport in Mississippi is the Mid Delta Regional Airport, which has 30 flights per month.

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