HomeBusiness InsiderMemphis' airport is consolidating its uncrowded terminals into a brand new $245 million single terminal to downsize and modernize — see inside
Memphis' airport is consolidating its uncrowded terminals into a brand new $245 million single terminal to downsize and modernize — see inside
The city was geographically well-positioned for the US' aviation route map, being a popular, "hassle-free" layover point for both business and leisure travelers. In its prime, the airport was averaging about 550 flights per day thanks to Northwest.
Northwest Airlines aircraft
However, Delta acquired the carrier in a historic merger in 2008 to create the world's largest airline, and Northwest's brand was abandoned in 2009.
Delta and Northwest aircraft.
Delta continued to operate a base in Memphis for five years. But, in 2012, it ended the airport's only transatlantic service to Amsterdam, and officially closed the hub in 2013.
Delta Air Lines aircraft.
The move came as Delta decided it only needed one home in the South, and it chose the fast-growing Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in nearby Georgia.
Passengers gather near Delta airline's counter as they check-in their luggage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., May 23, 2021.
Delta has dominated Atlanta for decades, creating a mega-hub that, up until the pandemic, was the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. In 2019, Atlanta handled over 110 million travelers.
Passenger at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.
While Delta has expanded its Atlanta home over the years, Memphis has gone in the opposite direction, with the exception of being FedEx's cargo superhub.
FedEx planes at Memphis superhub.
When Northwest was taken over by Delta, Memphis lost nearly two-thirds of its passengers. Traffic plummeted from 11 million travelers in 2007, the year before the merger, to just over four million in 2019.
Passengers at Memphis International Airport.
The lack of passengers created an unsettling feeling of abandonment at the three-terminal airport, with deserted corridors and empty gates.
People walking in Memphis airport in 2018.
Mont592/Shutterstock
Realizing the need to strategically downsize, Memphis decided to invest in an all-new terminal to consolidate its operations.
Memphis International Airport's new Terminal B.
Memphis International Airport
In 2018, the city started a $245 million "modernization effort" to revamp the airport's entire Terminal B.
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.
Despite slowdowns caused by COVID-19 and supply-chain issues, the new facility officially opened on Tuesday, with the first flight operated by Delta on Wednesday evening.
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.
The project called for Terminals A and C to be closed, which abandons about 60 gates, but both "will be retained for possible future growth."
Memphis International Airport logo.
With Terminal B acting as the sole active facility for passenger operations, Memphis has redesigned the space to house all of the airline, retail, and restaurant services.
Memphis International Airport's new Terminal B.
Specifically, the concourse has 23 large gates that can handle about 6 million passengers, which is more traffic than pre-pandemic levels.
Memphis International Airport new gate space.
However, the southwest side of the terminal was not redesigned and will only be used for international arrivals, which the airport does not currently have.
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.
Air Canada does offer one international flight to Toronto, but the route actually acts as a domestic leg because of the immigration pre-clearance in Canada. This means passengers do not have to go through customs in Memphis.
Air Canada at Memphis International Airport.
If the city does get international flights, there are plans in place to modernize that side of Terminal B. The expansion would add 15 more gates, increasing the airport's total annual passenger capacity to nearly 11 million.
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.
Other parts of the airport that still have not been redesigned are the ticketing and baggage hall, which will be done in a future phase of the project.
Memphis ticketing.
Although Terminals A and C will be maintained, the end of concourse C will be demolished to "facilitate more efficient airline traffic" to and from terminal B.
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.
While Memphis has been a ghost-town since the Delta-Northwest merger, the modernized concourse is bringing new hope to the airport.
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.
Additional optimism came with the announcement that Spirit will begin flying to Memphis for the first time in April. It is the only carrier to start new service at the airport since Air Canada in 2017.
Spirit Airlines aircraft at the gate.
Memphis airport CEO Scott Brockman told The Points Guy that he is hoping other budget carriers, like newcomers Breeze and Avelo, will also begin flying to the city but does not think Memphis will be hub again due to the rise in point-to-point networks.
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.
Memphis' airport is consolidating its uncrowded terminals into a brand new $245 million single terminal to downsize and modernize — see inside
Reviewed by mimisabreena
on
Friday, February 18, 2022
Rating: 5
Reviewed by mimisabreena
on
Friday, February 18, 2022
Rating:
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