The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) hosted a ceremonial event today to officially break ground on the Parking Garage Expansion and Terminal Roadway Improvement Project and to announce the launch of Flight Plan, a major expansion and renovation program designed to accommodate the significant passenger growth at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS).
Flight Plan is a decade-long growth and development plan to elevate McGhee Tyson Airport’s footprint by adding gates, concessions, and renovating restrooms, the security checkpoint and replacing escalators, all in an effort to improve the passenger experience and attract more air service to East Tennessee.
“We couldn’t be more excited for the future of McGhee Tyson Airport and air travel in our region. Flight Plan will help us grow in a smart and thoughtful way,” said Patrick W. Wilson A.A.E., MKAA President. “The current terminal was built to accommodate about 2.6 million passengers annually. Projections now indicate more than 3.5 million passengers will travel through TYS by 2027. Because of this record-breaking growth, we developed a forward-looking plan that strengthens our capacity and amenities while ensuring McGhee Tyson remains the convenient, community airport passengers know and love.”
“We’re at a pivotal point for the future of air service in East Tennessee,” said Brian Simmons, Chairman of the MKAA Board of Commissioners. “McGhee Tyson is an important asset for our city, region and state, and the airport’s leadership team and staff have done a wonderful job in developing Flight Plan to execute these much-needed projects.”
The Parking Garage Expansion and Terminal Roadway Improvement Project marks the first of many projects under the Flight Plan program aimed at elevating the passenger experience. The new $186 million parking garage will add 3,500 parking spaces upon its anticipated completion in 2027. The garage’s six-story design draws inspiration from East Tennessee and will be a prominent feature at the airport.
“While Flight Plan is charting the course for the future of travel at McGhee Tyson Airport, we are equally focused on ensuring that our passengers and the community are minimally impacted by the construction,” continued Wilson. “We will provide clear and consistent communication with the goal of making sure our travelers can enjoy the same easy and efficient airport experience they’ve come to expect at McGhee Tyson.”
For more information on Flight Plan, visit www.TYSFlightPlan.com.