KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) announced today that McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) served 1,988,019 passengers in 2017, making it the airport’s busiest year in its 80-year history. 2017 passenger numbers outpaced the previous annual passenger record set in 2005 by 142,528. In addition, 2017 traffic grew by 9% over 2016 numbers and the airport’s consolidated load factor was 77.7%.
“We are seeing unprecedented growth in our region and in the air service provided by the five airlines that serve McGhee Tyson Airport,” said Eddie Mannis, Chairman of the MKAA Board of Commissioners. “We are thankful for their support of our airport and we look forward to continuing to build upon the flight and destination options available to the East Tennessee traveling public.”
McGhee Tyson Airport reported year-over-year passenger growth in every month of 2017 and set new monthly passenger records for eight consecutive months starting in May through December. October 2017 was the busiest month of the year with 200,330 passengers.
“As our air service grows and continues to impact on the economic growth of our community, so does the need to provide quality infrastructure at our facility,” said Mannis. “Currently, we are in the middle of a major runway and airfield modernization program that will allow us to remain competitive and to provide the facilities we need to continue
to grow.”
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The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority owns and operates both McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) and Downtown Island Airport (DKX).
