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  4. Memphis' 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

Memphis' airport is consolidating its uncrowded terminals into a brand new $245 million single terminal to downsize and modernize — see inside
Memphis International Airport's new Terminal B.Memphis International Airport
  • Memphis International Airport just opened its brand-new, modernized Terminal B on Tuesday.
  • The new facility comes as Memphis strategically shrinks its operation as passenger traffic lags.

Memphis International Airport was once a thriving airport that served as a major hub for Northwest Airlines.

Memphis International Airport was once a thriving airport that served as a major hub for Northwest Airlines.
Memphis International Airport.      University of College/Shutterstock

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.

The city was geographically well-positioned for the US
Northwest Airlines aircraft      Ivan Cholakov/Shutterstock

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.

However, Delta acquired the carrier in a historic merger in 2008 to create the world
Delta and Northwest aircraft.      Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

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 continued to operate a base in Memphis for five years. But, in 2012, it ended the airport
Delta Air Lines aircraft.      On The Run Photo/Shutterstock

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.

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.      Reuters/Carlos Barria

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.

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.      Charlie Riedel/AP

Source: CNN

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.

While Delta has expanded its Atlanta home over the years, Memphis has gone in the opposite direction, with the exception of being FedEx
FedEx planes at Memphis superhub.      John Gress Media Inc/Shutterstock

Source: FedEx

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.

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.      Memphis International Airport

The lack of passengers created an unsettling feeling of abandonment at the three-terminal airport, with deserted corridors and empty gates.

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.

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.

In 2018, the city started a $245 million "modernization effort" to revamp the airport
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

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.

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.      Memphis International Airport

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."

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.      University of College/Shutterstock

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.

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.      Memphis International Airport

Specifically, the concourse has 23 large gates that can handle about 6 million passengers, which is more traffic than pre-pandemic levels.

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.      Memphis International Airport

Moreover, the new, modernized space will feature higher ceilings and wider corridors...

Moreover, the new, modernized space will feature higher ceilings and wider corridors...
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

…new restaurant and retail options…

…new restaurant and retail options…
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

…moving walkways and more natural lighting…

…moving walkways and more natural lighting…
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

... air-conditioned jet bridges...

... air-conditioned jet bridges...
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

…a pet relief area…

…a pet relief area…
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

...updated bathrooms...

...updated bathrooms...
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

…a stage for live music in the rotunda…

…a stage for live music in the rotunda…
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

…two lounges, with one dedicated to St. Jude's and the other for military families…

…two lounges, with one dedicated to St. Jude
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

…improved charging stations…

…improved charging stations…
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

…and a new art program that displays 61 pieces of work from 62 artists that are connected to Memphis.

…and a new art program that displays 61 pieces of work from 62 artists that are connected to Memphis.
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

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.

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.      Memphis International Airport

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 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.      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.

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
Memphis International Airport new Terminal B.      Memphis International Airport

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.

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.      Memphis International Airport

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.

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.      Memphis International Airport

While Memphis has been a ghost-town since the Delta-Northwest merger, the modernized concourse is bringing new hope to the airport.

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.      Memphis International Airport

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.

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.      EQRoy/Shutterstock

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 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 International Airport

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