Memphis International Airport
Memphis International Airport | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Public/military | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner/Operator | Memphis–Shelby County Airport Authority | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serves | Memphis metropolitan area | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Shelby County, Tennessee, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | 1929 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hub for | FedEx Express | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 341 ft / 104 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 35°02′33″N 089°58′36″W / 35.04250°N 89.97667°W | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | flymemphis | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maps | |||||||||||||||||||||||
FAA airport diagram | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interactive map of Memphis International Airport | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Statistics (2025) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Source: Memphis International Airport | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Memphis International Airport (IATA: MEM, ICAO: KMEM, FAA LID: MEM) is a civil–military airport located seven miles (11 km) southeast of downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States. It is the primary international airport serving Memphis. It covers 3,900 acres (1,600 ha) and has four runways.
It is home to the FedEx Express global hub. Nonstop FedEx destinations from Memphis include cities across the continental United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America. The airport averages over 80 passenger flights per day. The Memphis Air National Guard Base is located at the airport and houses the 164th Airlift Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard, which operates C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.
The Memphis airport was inaugurated in 1929. During World War II, it functioned as the base of the 4th Ferrying Group. A jet-age terminal opened in the 1960s. In 1973, Federal Express established its main hub at the airport. Memphis also served as a passenger hub from 1985 to 2013. Republic Airlines launched the hub and merged with Northwest Airlines in 1986, and Northwest combined with Delta Air Lines in 2008. After the hub was dismantled, the airport downsized from three concourses to one. As of 2025, the facility is in the process of being renamed for Frederick W. Smith, founder of FedEx.