Memphis International Airport

Memphis International Airport Template:Airport codes is a civil-military airport located Template:Convert southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. It is the primary international airport serving Memphis. It covers Template:Convert and has four runways.<ref name=FAA>Template:FAA-airport, effective August 7, 2025.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web FAA data effective August 7, 2025.</ref>

It is home to the FedEx Express global hub, often referred to as the FedEx Superhub or simply the Superhub,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which processes many of the company's packages.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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. It dropped to second place in 2010, just behind Hong Kong. It still remained the busiest cargo airport in the United States and the Western Hemisphere. It briefly rose to first place once again in 2020 due to the surge in ecommerce partly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic but dropped back to second place in 2021.<ref name="gac">Template:Cite web</ref>

The airport averages over 80 passenger flights per day.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The 164th Airlift Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard is based at the co-located Memphis Air National Guard Base, operating C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Memphis mayor Watkins Overton put together a commission in 1927 to establish a municipal airport. It was built on a Template:Convert plot of farmland Template:Convert from downtown Memphis and opened on June 14, 1929.<ref name="aw">Template:Cite web</ref> The two-day dedication ceremony featured aerial stunts and the arrival of over 200 aircraft.<ref name="ca790">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In its early years the airport had three hangars and a sod runway.<ref name="ca790" /> In 1930, runway lights were installed after an aircraft landed in the Mississippi River because it could not find the airport at night. Robertson Aircraft Corporation, which would merge into American Airlines, was the first major airline to fly to Memphis, with routes to New Orleans and St. Louis. In June 1931, American Airlines commenced the first airmail service from Memphis. Chicago and Southern Air Lines was headquartered in the city from 1934 to 1936 and from 1940 to 1953, when it was acquired by Delta Air Lines. During the 1930s, Memphis figured on American's east–west route between New York and Los Angeles and on Chicago and Southern's north–south route linking Chicago to New Orleans.<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref> In 1938, the Works Progress Administration helped construct a new terminal building.<ref name="ca790" /><ref name="aw" /> It had three stories and an Art Deco design.<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref>

After the United States entered World War II, the city government leased the airfield to the War Department in July 1942.<ref name="ca149">Template:Cite news</ref> That December the headquarters of the 4th Ferrying Group of the Army Air Forces Air Transport Command shifted to the airport.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The group was tasked with sending new aircraft overseas; pilots departed Memphis for South America and then flew over the South Atlantic Ocean to Africa.<ref name="ca746">Template:Cite news</ref> Personnel such as mechanics and engineers underwent training at the base and then traveled overseas.<ref name="ca146">Template:Cite news</ref> Chicago and Southern's repair facilities at the airport were used to repair military planes. Commercial air service continued, though it was limited.<ref name="msp22">Template:Harvnb</ref> The ferrying group's postwar activities included moving planes off deactivated bases.<ref name="ca146" /> For a period in 1946, Memphis served as headquarters for the Continental Division of the Air Transport Command, which oversaw the 4th Ferrying Group and ran scheduled flights for military personnel throughout the country.<ref name="ca746" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The ferrying group ceased operations in March 1947.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> City officials reached an agreement with the federal government in January 1949 to regain control of the airfield.<ref name="ca149" />

Five trunk carriers flew to Memphis as of 1947, and two years later, a regional airline named Southern Airways launched operations with multi-stop service to Atlanta.<ref name="msp22" /> The airport opened the first air-cargo terminal in the country in February 1958.<ref name="msp23">Template:Harvnb</ref> The following year, passenger counts crossed one million.<ref name="ca790" /> In August 1960, the city received its first scheduled jet flight; Delta Air Lines started using Convair 880s on its Chicago–Memphis–New Orleans route.<ref name="msp23" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The United States Supreme Court in Turner v. City of Memphis ordered the desegregation of the airport in 1962. Jesse Turner, an African-American banker and civil rights activist, had filed the case after he was denied service in the main dining room of the restaurant.<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref>

In June 1963, a new terminal built for the jet age was dedicated, and the airport was rechristened Memphis Metropolitan Airport.<ref name="aw" /><ref name="ca790" /> United Nations ambassador Adlai Stevenson II spoke at the inauguration ceremony and replaced the ribbon cutting with a rocket launch.<ref name="ca790" /> The terminal was designed by the local firm Mann & Harrover and became Roy Harrover's most famous work.<ref name="mm">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It was one of the first airport terminals to have a two-level design where passengers boarded aircraft via jet bridges on the upper level and collected their luggage on the lower level. Another unique aspect of the structure was its columns resembling martini glasses.<ref name="mm" /> It opened to passengers in July and was part of an expansion project that also included a control tower and a north–south runway.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1969, the Memphis–Shelby County Airport Authority was formed, and the facility changed its name to Memphis International Airport after being designated a customs port of origin.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Expansion continued in the 1970s with the construction of east and west subterminals, another north–south runway, and a parking garage.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The central concourse was extended as well.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Hub status

Air-cargo company Federal Express moved its base to Memphis from Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1973.<ref name="ca100">Template:Cite news</ref> Memphis was selected because of its temperate climate and location in the middle of the country.<ref name="ca621">Template:Cite news</ref> The decision was credited with enabling the city to go from a river port of decreasing economic relevance to an important global distribution center.<ref name="ca100" /> To accommodate the company's rapid growth and larger aircraft, a "superhub" facility opened in 1981, featuring new methods of handling freight containers and high-speed conveyor belts operated by a computer system.<ref name="ca621" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Memphis became the busiest airport by cargo traffic worldwide in 1992.<ref name="aw" /> By 2000, the hub processed over one million packages per night, and FedEx ran 150 daily flights from Memphis.<ref name="ca100" />

Southern Airways was an important regional carrier at Memphis in the 1960s; it merged into Republic Airlines in 1979 as the first large merger after the passage of the Airline Deregulation Act. With the dismantling of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) flight approval requirements, airlines began developing around a large hub model as opposed to the former point-to-point networks that were common before deregulation. Republic Airlines established Memphis as a hub operation in 1985 and began flights to Mexico in 1985–86. The company merged into Northwest Airlines in 1986.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Northwest operated around 300 daily flights at the peak of the hub, including international flights to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

KLM, a partner of Northwest, launched the airport's first transatlantic passenger flight to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in June 1995. The airline used McDonnell Douglas MD-11 on the route.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In preparation for the flight, the airport had constructed a customs facility that cost $12.6 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2003, Northwest began flying the route instead, initially with a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30, and later with an Airbus A330.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Northwest was acquired by Delta Air Lines (which operates a large hub in Atlanta) in 2008. Delta maintained Memphis as a hub, flying as many as 200 flights per day in 2009.<ref name="ut13">Template:Cite web</ref> However, the carrier discontinued the Amsterdam link in September 2012 due to high fuel prices, diminished passenger numbers, and economic challenges.<ref name="capa612">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Delta continued to scale back its operations at Memphis before closing the hub in 2013.<ref name="ut13"/> Passenger traffic at the airport declined for the next several years until it bottomed out at 3.5 million in 2015.

2010s onwards

In 2014, the Memphis–Shelby County Airport Authority announced a planned $114 million renovation of the airport. This renovation included demolishing the largely vacant south ends of Concourses A and C, mothballing the remaining portions and widening and modernizing the larger Concourse B. The renovation, which was expected to start in late 2015 and end around 2020, would have left the airport with about 60 gates.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The initial project was only partly completed, with the south end of Concourse A demolished. Memphis officials decided to rethink the plans; several aspects of the project changed. The plan had called for renovating and widening Concourse B, the updated plan included a full redesign of most of the concourse. Concourse B was closed during construction, and airlines and tenants moved to Concourses A and C during that time. The southwest leg of Concourse B will be updated in a future phase, and will only be utilized in the near term for passengers from inbound international flights.<ref name="MEM Moderation">Template:Cite web</ref> The modernization began in September 2018 and was completed in February 2022.<ref name="ConBreopen">Template:Cite web</ref>

In November 2022, Memphis opened its new $309 million consolidated de-icing facility located at the southern edge of the airport. It has capacity for 12 wide-body planes and included the construction of two new taxiway bridges and a control tower.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2023, the south end of Concourse C was demolished.

In October 2022, the Airport Authority revealed their revised master plan, including expansion of the landside portion of the terminal, expanding space for parking and car rentals, and runway expansions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Terminal construction will begin in summer of 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Following the death of Fred W. Smith, founder of FedEx, on June 21, 2025, the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority proposed to rename the airport "Frederick W. Smith International Airport" due to his vast contributions to the city of Memphis and the airport in particular. As of June 23, 2025, it is not clear when the renaming would take effect.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Facilities

Terminal

File:Cropped-Concourse-Day-1-220-modernization-page-header.jpg

Concourse B at Memphis International

Memphis International Airport has one terminal with 23 common use gates and 2 international gates.<ref name="TerMap">Template:Cite web</ref> The terminal previously had three concourses (A, B, C) with over 60 gates.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Concourse A will be demolished in 2025 to make room for a new administrative and baggage inspection building.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Concourse C is currently closed to public. All international flights that aren't precleared at the departure airport are processed on the southwestern leg of Concourse B.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Ground transportation

Memphis International Airport's passenger terminal can be accessed from Interstate 240 via Plough Blvd and Jim McGehee Pkwy. It can also be accessed via Winchester Rd.

The airport is served by the Memphis Area Transit Authority route 28 bus, which offers service to Hudson Transit Center in downtown Memphis, as well as Airways Transit Center.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Ground Transportation Center, completed in March 2013, contains the airport's economy parking and parking for all car rental companies. It is seven stories tall and features 4,500 economy parking spaces and 1,200 rental car spaces.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Statistics

Annual traffic and cargo

MEM Airport annual traffic and cargo data, 2006–present<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Year	Passengers	Total cargo (lbs.)	Year	Passengers	Total cargo (lbs.)
2006	11,149,775	8,141,305,181	2016	4,001,017	9,530,165,389
2007	11,258,682	8,468,558,790	2017	4,196,259	9,562,537,748
2008	10,925,622	8,148,705,319	2018	4,419,541	9,856,782,840
2009	10,229,627	8,152,267,352	2019	4,644,490	9,531,640,512
2010	10,003,186	8,636,848,399	2020	2,029,836	10,172,615,629
2011	8,737,641	8,635,964,038	2021	3,590,638	9,879,426,206
2012	6,753,186	8,855,559,128	2022	4,355,206	8,908,773,342
2013	4,598,186	9,124,147,586	2023	4,796,717	8,558,070,310
2014	3,597,601	9,390,059,997	2024	4,878,919	8,278,089,669
2015	3,758,450	9,460,855,765	2025

Top destinations

Busiest domestic routes from MEM (January 2024 – December 2024)<ref name="transtats.bts.gov">Template:Cite web</ref>

Rank	City	Passengers	Carriers
1	Template:Flagicon Atlanta, Georgia	466,000	Delta, Southwest
2	Template:Flagicon Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas	274,000	American, Spirit
3	Template:Flagicon Charlotte, North Carolina	228,000	American
4	Template:Flagicon Denver, Colorado	149,000	Frontier, Southwest, United
5	Template:Flagicon Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois	133,000	American, United
6	Template:Flagicon Houston–Intercontinental, Texas	114,000	United
7	Template:Flagicon Orlando, Florida	103,000	Frontier, Southwest, Spirit
8	Template:Flagicon New York–LaGuardia, New York	88,000	American, Delta
8	Template:Flagicon Las Vegas, Nevada	88,000	Allegiant, Southwest, Spirit
10	Template:Flagicon Houston–Hobby, Texas	82,000	Southwest

Airline market share

Largest airlines at MEM
(December 2023 – November 2024)<ref name="transtats.bts.gov"/>

Rank	Airline	Passengers	Share
1	Delta Air Lines	1,135,000	23.39%
2	American Airlines	1,075,000	22.14%
3	Southwest Airlines	837,000	17.23%
4	Republic Airways	343,000	7.07%
5	United Airlines	323,000	6.65%
6	Other	1,142,000	23.53%

Accidents and incidents

• On August 12, 1944, a USAAF Douglas C-47 caught fire after takeoff after one of the propeller blades cut through the fuselage, causing a fire on the runway. All except the captain got out safely.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
• On December 17, 1944, a USAAF Douglas C-47 drifted to the right after takeoff, stalled and hit a brick storehouse. Three out of the six on board died.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
• On January 13, 1963, a Delta Air Lines Douglas DC-7 struck a USAF Fairchild C-123 Provider taxiing at night. The pilot of the DC-7 was killed, and the Provider was destroyed after catching fire.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref><ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
• On May 18, 1978, a Dassault Falcon 20 C operated by Flight Safety International collided with a Cessna 150 3.8 miles west of MEM, all four occupants on the Falcon and two aboard the Cessna died as both aircraft crashed.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
• On August 11, 1984, Douglas C-47 N70003 of Aviation Enterprises crashed shortly after takeoff from Memphis International Airport on a domestic nonscheduled passenger flight to O'Hare International Airport, Chicago. All three people on board died.<ref name=ASN110884>Template:Cite web</ref> A missing spark plug on the port engine caused a loss of power. Maintenance involving the removal of the spark plugs had been performed the previous day.<ref name=ATL84FA251>Template:Cite web</ref>
• On October 8, 1987, a Volpar Turboliner II operated by Connie Kalitta Services crashed while attempting to return to MEM due to an attached tail stand. The aircraft was overweight and the cg (Center of Gravity) was three inches forward of the limit. The sole occupant died.<ref>Template:ASN accident</ref>
• On April 7, 1994, Federal Express Flight 705 bound for San Jose, California, experienced an attempted hijacking shortly after takeoff. FedEx employee Auburn Calloway tried to hijack the plane in order to crash it into the FedEx hub at Memphis International, in a Kamikaze-style attack. The crew—although seriously injured—fought him off and returned to Memphis, where police and emergency crews subdued him.
• On October 15, 2002, a Northwest Airlines Avro RJ 85 collided with the jetway at gate C2 while taxiing for a maintenance check. The mechanics were unable to slow the aircraft down in time. Due to their error, the aircraft suffered minor damage, but the number one engine was ripped almost entirely off, and the jetway. The aircraft was eventually torn apart and set in a field near the airport.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• On December 18, 2003, FedEx Express Flight 647 veered off the runway after the landing gear collapsed upon landing. The flight had departed Oakland International Airport (OAK) earlier that day. The aircraft was immediately engulfed in flames. All five crew members escaped by exiting via the cockpit window.
• On July 28, 2006, FedEx Flight 630's landing gear collapsed upon landing at Memphis International Airport after a flight from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. After coming to a stop, the plane caught fire, engulfing the left wing and engine. While the three crew members sustained injuries, they all survived. The aircraft was written off.

References

Citations

Sources

• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite journal

Further reading

• Hollahan, Terry. "Delta Air Lines deals crushing blow to Memphis airport." Memphis Business Journal. June 4, 2013.

External links

• Template:Commons category-inline
• Memphis International Airport (official site)
• Template:FAA-diagram
• Template:US-airport