October 2007

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Planning for the Future

Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority has hired a consulting company to develop a new Master Plan to define the strategic steps needed over the next 20 years to accommodate the diverse needs of its airline tenants. The last Master Plan was completed in 1986. It was updated in 2000 to reflect changes in the industry and in the demand levels that occur periodically. All of the needed recommendations from the previous plan and its update have been implemented and now it is time to look at the future.

The Master Plan will be done in concert with the planning of Memphis' Aerotropolis – the identity coined by airport consultant, John Kasardas, which describes Memphis as the nation's prime prototype of a global economy with the airport as the central driving force… more »

Memphis International Airport

Jim D. Ethridge Elected 2008 Chairman of the Airports Council International-North America Commissioners' Committee

Airport Authority Board Member, Jim D. Ethridge, was elected the 2008 Chairman of the Airports Council International-North America Commissioners' Committee. He was elected at the organization's annual meeting in Kansas City last week and will take office in January… more »

Jim D. Ethridge

New Concessions

Passengers can enjoy a variety of new food and beverage concessions at Memphis International Airport. In September, Anton AirFoods opened Ciao Gourmet Market Kiosk in Concourse B. Located near Gate B-19, the new concession was inspired by the traditional food exhibition found in Ciao Restorante and market piazzas and town centers all over Italy and Europe.

The menu is a collaboration of premium-level food and packaged products for on-the-go consumption, with careful attention to health and nutrition… more »

Ciao Gourmet Market Kiosk
Concourse B near Gate B-19

Cell Phone Lot Now Open

The Airport's new cell phone lot is now open. Drivers picking up passengers at the Airport can now wait in the new lot. Airline passengers can call their ride once they have picked up their bags at baggage claim. The cell phone lot will help reduce congestion outside of baggage claim and will save drivers from constantly circling the roadway system as they wait for passengers.

There are two entrances to the cell phone lot – one on the north end and one on the south end. The south entrance is located off the Radisson Hotel exit from the inbound Jim McGehee Parkway. The lot is less than a minute's drive from the passenger pick-up.

Roadway Update

The roadway project is 90 percent complete and is moving into the final stage. The final stage will include the paving, striping, and new overhead signage. It is on schedule to be finished by early December.

The new signage will make driving around the Airport easier. All signs leading towards the terminal will be blue, while all signs leading away from the terminal will be green. New electronic LED message signs will provide up-to-date parking and roadway conditions and security information. The messages will be shown on the bottom of the blue and green directional signs.

New Air Services

American Airlines has announced a new service to New York through its regional affiliate, American Eagle, in time for Christmas. The new route from Memphis to LaGuardia International Airport (LGA) will begin December 13.

American Eagle will fly the new route twice daily with an Embraer 135 jet seating 37 customers… more »

Tennessee Air National Guard Update

The relocation of the Tennessee Air National Guard is progressing smoothly and is still on schedule for completion in September 2008. A significant milestone was met on September 13, when the last high bay roof truss on the hangars was set in place. All the big pieces of the development are now in place and construction can move ahead much quicker.

The 140,000 square yard concrete ramp is complete. The ramp is large enough to park six C-5s and eventually can be expanded to park an additional four aircraft… more »

Tennessee Air National Guard Complex

Walter E. Cathey named Tennessee's
2007 General Aviation Airport Manager
of the Year

Walter E. Cathey, the Airport Authority's Manager of General Aviation Airports, was named Tennessee's 2007 General Aviation Airport Manager of the Year during the 22nd Annual Tennessee Airport's Conference in Nashville last month.

He was chosen from among 67 other general aviation airport managers for his outstanding contributions to aviation in Tennessee… more »

Walter E. Cathey