Memphis International Airport

What Memphis International Airport does

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a public commercial airport operated by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA), a government entity chartered in 1969 that also owns and operates two general aviation facilities — General DeWitt Spain Airport and Charles W. Baker Airport. The airport functions primarily as an origin-and-destination facility for the Memphis metropolitan area, connecting to 35+ nonstop destinations, and simultaneously serves as one of the world's busiest cargo airports due to its role as the home of the FedEx World Hub. Its core infrastructure comprises a modernized terminal (rebuilt February 2022) featuring AI-controlled View Smart Windows, a Central Deicing Facility, a consolidated Ground Transportation Center housing nine national rental car brands, and four on-airport parking facilities (Economy Garage, Long Term, Short Term, Blue/Yellow Lots) priced $9–$24 per day.

Revenue is generated through a diversified non-aeronautical and aeronautical mix: parking operations, rental car concessions, ground transportation permits (taxis, shuttles, Uber/Lyft), food and beverage concessions (Memphis Made Brewing Co., Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, etc.), retail concessions (PGA Tour Fan Shop, Memphis Supply Co., etc.), airline landing fees, and cargo-related infrastructure payments from FedEx. Ancillary revenue is enhanced through the MEMPerks parking loyalty program, Delta Sky Club, a Military Lounge, and a first-of-its-kind St. Jude Patient Lounge. Distribution channels include direct terminal access for airline tenants, the parking facilities, ride-share partnerships (Uber/Lyft via Interim Commercial Curb), hotel shuttles, taxi/limo operators, and MATA public transit Route 28.

Customer segments span commercial air travelers, cargo operations (FedEx-centric), ground transportation providers, and general aviation users of the two satellite airports. Commercial partnerships include eight operating airlines (Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Southern Airways, United), TSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Global Entry), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the Urban Art Commission for cultural programming. AI/ML capabilities are limited to a single deployment of vendor-supplied View Smart Windows computer vision for automated window tinting.

Name

Memphis International Airport

Legal name

Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority

Website

https://flymemphis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a public commercial airport operated by the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, serving Memphis-area passengers through a modernized terminal and serving as the home of the FedEx World Hub — one of the world's busiest cargo airports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Operations

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Airport Ground Transport Terminals (Rail/Bus/Coach) (THAIALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Airport Retail (Duty-Free & Specialty) (THABALAC), Airport Transfer Services (Meet-and-Greet, Fixed-Route) (THADAEAG), On-Demand Airport & Event Ride Services (Dedicated Queues/Permits) (THAIAGAK), Airport Car Rental (On-Airport Concessions) (THADAAAA), Airport Parking Shuttle Operators (THAIAFAD)

Keywords

• Airport operations
• Passenger air travel
• Cargo logistics services
• Ground transportation services
• Aviation infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Parking Operations: Airport operates multiple parking facilities including economy garage, long-term lots, short-term parking, and Blue/Yellow lots generating daily parking fees ranging from $9 to $24 per day
2. Rental Car Concessions: Nine national rental car companies (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty) located in Ground Transportation Center, paying concessions to airport
3. Ground Transportation Fees: Commercial ground transportation operators including taxis, limos, shuttles, and TNCs (Uber, Lyft) pay fees and obtain permits to operate at airport
4. Food & Beverage Concessions: Multiple restaurants including Memphis Made Brewing Co., Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Chili's, Lenny's Grill & Subs, Stage Left Pizza, Grizz Grill operating within terminal
5. Retail Concessions: Retail outlets including Relay, PGA Tour Fan Shop, Tripadvisor, Grind City Essentials, Memphis Supply Co., Distillery District, Market 901, Bluff City Market

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Memphis International Airport operates a commercial passenger airport terminal and supporting aviation facilities serving the Memphis metropolitan area as an origin-and-destination airport. The airport generates revenue through on-site parking (Economy/Blue-Yellow $9/day, Long Term $15/day, Short Term $24/day), concession agreements with rental car companies, food and beverage and retail tenants, ground transportation permits for taxis, limos, shuttles and TNCs (Uber, Lyft), and ancillary passenger services. As home to the FedEx World Hub, MEM also serves as one of the world's busiest cargo airports.

Product overview

Memphis International Airport (MEM) operates as an origin-and-destination airport serving the Memphis metropolitan area, offering a comprehensive portfolio of passenger services organized around core infrastructure and ancillary offerings. The airport's core products include parking services (with MEMPERKS rewards), ground transportation via a centralized Rental Car Center housing nine national brands, and the recently modernized concourse featuring AI-controlled smart windows. Ancillary products include dining (Memphis Made Brewing Co., Ramblin' Joe's Coffee, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Chili's, Lenny's, Stage Left, Grizz Grill, Wise Omega Bodega) and retail options (PGA Tour Fan Shop, Memphis Supply Co., Distillery District, Market 901, Bluff City Market). Premium services include the Delta Sky Club lounge, St. Jude Patient Lounge, Military Lounge, and comprehensive accessibility services including Aira visual assistance and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program. Community engagement programs include the MSCAA Community Foundation with Arts in the Airport, Runway 5K, and scholarship initiatives, plus volunteer Blue Suede Ambassador program and educational Jon K. Thompson World Class Tour.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MEM Parking Services On-airport parking facilities including Short Term ($24/day), Long Term ($15/day), Economy Garage ($9/day), and Blue/Yellow Lot ($9/day) with amenities such as EV charging on Economy Garage Levels 5-10, oversized vehicle parking in the Blue Lot, and free shuttle bus to the terminal from Economy and Blue/Yellow lots.
• MEMPERKS Frequent Parker Program Free-to-enroll rewards program that lets MEM parking customers earn one point per dollar spent on parking, redeemable for free parking days across Economy, Blue/Yellow, Long Term, and Short Term facilities.
• Ground Transportation Center Adjacent-to-terminal multi-level facility on levels 1 and 2 of the economy parking structure housing nine national rental car companies (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty), taxi services, limousine operators, and MATA public bus connections for arriving and departing passengers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 52,000+ passengers expected during peak travel periods
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FedExcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFedEx World Hub operates as the primary cargo hub at MEM, making Memphis International Airport one of the busiest cargo airports worldwide. This is a critical operational partnership for both the airport and FedEx's global cargo network.
• Allegiant AircoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperating at MEM with gate 22, B Ticketing counter, and B Baggage claim. Provides nonstop service to Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, FL (VPS).
• American AirlinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperating at MEM with gates 2, 4, 6, B Ticketing counter, and B Baggage claim. Provides nonstop service to Charlotte (CLT), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas Ft. Worth (DFW), New York LaGuardia (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington Reagan (DCA).
• Breeze AirwayscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperating at MEM with gate 9, B Ticketing counter, and B Baggage claim. Provides service to Pensacola, FL (PNS).
• Delta Air LinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperating at MEM with gates 12, 14, 16, 18, B Ticketing counter, and B Baggage claim. Operates Delta Sky Club at airport. Provides nonstop service to Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Los Angeles (LAX), Minneapolis (MSP), and New York LaGuardia (LGA).
• Frontier AirlinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperating at MEM with gate 23, B Ticketing counter, and B Baggage claim. Provides nonstop service to Denver (DEN).
• Southern Airways ExpressminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperates out of Signature Flight Support FBO terminal rather than main concourse. Provides service to Harrison, AR (HRO) and Hot Springs, AR (HOT).
• Southwest AirlinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperating at MEM with gates 5, 7, B Ticketing counter, and B Baggage claim. Provides nonstop service to Austin (AUS), Chicago Midway (MDW), Dallas Love (DAL), Denver (DEN), Houston Hobby (HOU), Las Vegas (LAS), Nashville (BNA), and St. Petersburg (PIE).
• United AirlinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperating at MEM with gates 11, 13, 15, C Ticketing counter, and B Baggage claim. Provides nonstop service to Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston George Bush (IAH), Newark (EWR), and San Francisco.
• Rental Car Companies (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNine national rental car companies located in Ground Transportation Center adjacent to terminal. Counter hours vary by company, with most operating 6am-12am daily.
• TSA (Transportation Security Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSA operates security checkpoints at MEM. TSA PreCheck office closed at MEM but Global Entry Enrollment Center remains open in terminal between B and C ticketing lobbies.
• CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBP operates Global Entry Enrollment Center at MEM. Global Entry members bypass traditional CBP inspection lines using automated kiosks.
• St. Jude Children's Research HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst-of-its-kind patient lounge at MEM provides St. Jude families with quiet space during travel. Features seating, charging stations, private restroom, game area, TV, and kitchenette with complimentary snacks. Staffed by St. Jude personnel.
• Urban Art CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages airport art program including 61 artworks from 62 Memphis-connected artists, six site-specific commissioned projects, and rotating pieces in rotunda.
• Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic ArtminorStrategic or Co-development Partner20 pieces from Belz Collection on display outside Delta Sky Club, including jadeite and jade vases, ivory balls and figurines, and carved mammoth tusk.
• MSCAA Community FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation focusing on civic engagement, education, sustainability, health, and community initiatives. Has awarded over $300,000 in academic scholarships.
• Signature Flight SupportminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFBO operator providing general aviation services. Offers complimentary shuttle to/from Memphis International Airport terminal.
• Wilson Air CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFBO operator providing general aviation services. Offers complimentary shuttle to/from Memphis International Airport terminal.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Largest passenger hub in the U.S. and a major cargo airport with extensive airline, concession, parking, and ground transportation operations. Same overall airport operating model as MEM but at materially larger scale and traffic density.
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport: Major American Airlines hub with substantial cargo and passenger operations, extensive concession program, and large parking portfolio. Operates under a similar airport-authority governance model and serves as a benchmark for Mid-South/Southeast airport economics.
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport: Large hub airport in the same general southern U.S. region with American Airlines as a major tenant, extensive concession and parking operations, and significant cargo activity. Comparable operational scope at materially larger scale.
• Chicago O'Hare International Airport: One of the largest passenger and cargo airports globally, with a multi-airline hub structure, extensive ground transportation networks, and major parking operations. Comparable airport operating model at a much larger scale.

Direct peers

• Nashville International Airport: Mid-sized Southeast U.S. commercial airport that has undergone a major modernization and expansion program, with strong parking and concession operations. Directly comparable to MEM in scale, region profile, and post-modernization positioning.
• Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport: Mid-sized U.S. commercial airport that, like MEM, is anchored by a global integrator's hub (UPS Worldport). Comparable dual passenger-plus-cargo model with similar scale, federal authority oversight, and non-aeronautical revenue focus.
• St. Louis Lambert International Airport: Mid-sized central U.S. commercial airport that also transitioned from a hub to an O&D model. Comparable scale, airline mix (notably Southwest), parking/concession revenue model, and post-hub competitive dynamics.
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport: Mid-sized airport anchored by a major integrator hub (DHL Americas Hub), combining cargo and passenger operations under a regional authority structure. Closely comparable to MEM's FedEx-anchored cargo-plus-passenger model.

Regional players

• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: Similar-sized regional commercial airport in the Southeast U.S. with comparable passenger mix, parking and concession revenue focus, and recent terminal redevelopment. Operates under a similar airport-authority governance model.

Others

• FedEx Corporation: Not an airport peer, but the anchor cargo tenant at MEM's World Hub and the single most important commercial relationship for the airport. FedEx's network growth, route decisions, and capital deployment at MEM directly drive a material share of the airport's cargo and aeronautical revenue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/flymemphis
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@flymemphisvideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/flymemphis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flymemphis
• Instagraminstagram.com/flymemphis
• TikToktiktok.com/@fly_memphis

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Memphis International Airport