Memphis International Airport (MEM) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport are among U.S. airports recording record passenger numbers in 2024. MEM experienced a milestone year, highlighted by a record number of 4.9 million origin and destination (O&D) passengers traveling through the airport. These numbers reflected an increase of nearly 81,000 passengers compared to 2023. RDU finished strong […]
Tennessee
Ben Munson Named President of Contour Aviation
Contour Aviation has announced the appointment of Ben Munson as President, effective January 6, 2025. He will report to Matt Chaifetz, the company’s Chief Executive Officer. At Contour, Munson will have oversight of the company’s day-to-day operations, including dispatch and related flight activity, maintenance, commercial planning, finance, and human resources. “Ben and I have worked […]
Northern Plains UAS Test Site Partners with Tennessee DOT to Create Vantis-Like System
The Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) have announced a monumental partnership to develop a system like Vantis (North Dakota’s beyond-visual-line-of-sight system) in Tennessee, aimed at enhancing its UAS program over the next five years. NPUASTS provided a comprehensive proposal to assist in the planning, development, implementation, and […]
Airport Authority Selects Wes Blair as New Chief of Police
Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) has announced James “Wes” Blair as its next Memphis Airport police chief. With a proven track record in law enforcement, education, and leadership, Blair brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the position. MSCAA’s current and longtime police chief, Jerry Brandon, is retiring in the Fall of 2024. […]
Austin Peay to Buy Airport Hangar, Fueling Future Growth of Aviation Science Program
Austin Peay State University is collaborating with the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Airport to purchase a hangar for the University’s growing aviation science program. The airport authority board recently approved the sale of the over 13,700-square-foot facility, Hangar 5, to Austin Peay for $780,000. The purchase will provide much-needed space for the aviation science program that […]
New Guimbal Added to APSU’s Helicopter Fleet
Photo above – Austin Peay State University’s new Guimbal G2 Cabri is equipped with technology similar to standard commercial aircraft and will offer valuable experience to students in the Aviation Science Program. | Photo by Colby Wilson Austin Peay State University’s Aviation Science Program, housed within the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), […]
Tennessee 2023 Airport Manager of the Year Awarded
The 2023 Tennessee Airport Manager of the Year award was recently presented to Paul Turner, manager of the Maury County Regional Airport. This award recognizes the Airport Manager that contributed the most to the development, safety, customer service, airport promotion and/or airport operations for the previous calendar year in the state of Tennessee. “Paul Turner’s […]
Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority Announces New Director Appointments
As part of its ongoing leadership transition, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) has announced three new director appointments: Nathan Luce, Kenneth Parrish and Lori Morris. Nathan Luce has been appointed Director of Airside Operations and Public Safety. In his new role, Luce is responsible for overseeing the strategic planning for airside operations at Memphis International […]
Memphis International Airport to Receive More Than $16 Million in Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Funding
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $16,135,955 to Memphis International Airport (MEM) as part of its Fiscal Year 2024 Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The latest round of grants was announced by the FAA on January 30 and included $243.7 million in grants […]
Memphis International Airport Announces World Class Tour Dates for 2024
Memphis International Airport (MEM) has announced its Jon K. Thompson World Class Tour dates for 2024. The first tour of the year will take place on March 28. Named after Jon K. Thompson, one of the Airport Authority’s longest-serving board members, these tours are designed to give attendees a better look at the airport’s operations […]
