Memphis Air National Guard Base

Summary

Operating Country 🇺🇸 United States
Location 🇺🇸 United States
Status Active
UsageDual
Year built1929
Operating OrganizationUS Air National Guard
Units
  • 164th Airlift Wing

Description

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a civil-military airport situated 7 miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. Opened in 1929 as Memphis Municipal Airport, it initially featured three hangars and an unpaved runway, with early passenger and air mail services provided by American Airlines and Chicago and Southern Air Lines. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces' Air Transport Command utilized Memphis for aircraft ferrying. The current terminal, designed by Mann & Harrover, opened in 1963, and the airport was renamed Memphis International in 1969.

The airport covers 3,900 acres (1,600 ha) and operates four concrete runways. It serves as the global hub for FedEx Express, often referred to as the FedEx Superhub, processing a significant volume of the company's packages. From 1993 to 2009, it was the world's busiest airport for cargo operations, and it remains the busiest cargo airport in the United States and the Western Hemisphere. The airport is also home to the 164th Airlift Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard, which operates C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft from the co-located Memphis Air National Guard Base.

Memphis International Airport has undergone several expansions and modernizations. A $31.6 million terminal expansion occurred in 1974. In 2014, a $114 million renovation project was announced, which included the demolition of parts of Concourses A and C and the modernization of Concourse B. This modernization was completed in February 2022. In November 2022, a new $309 million consolidated de-icing facility was opened. Future plans include expansion of the landside terminal, parking, and car rental facilities, with terminal construction expected to begin in summer 2024. The airport currently has three terminals (A, B, C) with Concourse B being the only active concourse, featuring 23 common use gates and 2 international gates.

Location & Details

Map of Memphis Air National Guard Base
Coordinates35.0425°N, -89.9767°E
Elevation104 m (341 ft)
IATA codeMEM
ICAO codeKMEM
Runways
  • 18C/36C [Concrete]
  • 18L/36R [Concrete]
  • 18R/36L [Concrete]
  • 9/27 [Concrete]
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