Meridian Regional Airport

What Meridian Regional Airport does

Meridian Regional Airport (Key Field Airport, MEI) is a public commercial-service airport in Meridian, Mississippi, operated by the Meridian Airport Authority, a Mississippi state government entity. It features the longest public runway in Mississippi at 10,003 feet and supports scheduled commercial passenger service via United Airlines with daily flights to Houston, Texas. The Authority's portfolio extends beyond the terminal to include Meridian Aviation (a full-service Fixed Base Operator providing Jet A and 100LL fuel), Dean Aircraft Service (aircraft maintenance for corporate aircraft), Warehouse One (an industrial warehouse at 1601 60th Place with truck loading and crane equipment), the Key Brothers Aviation Museum, and the 130-acre Key Brothers Aviation Site, a pre-certified industrial development property adjacent to the runway with utilities, a 4.3-acre concrete apron, and direct taxiway access.

The airport is co-located with the G.V. Sonny Montgomery National Guard Complex, home to the 186th Air Refueling Wing of the Mississippi Air National Guard, providing a stable military aviation anchor. Revenue is generated from a diversified but modest set of streams: airline landing fees and terminal rents (United), FBO fuel and services (Meridian Aviation), aircraft maintenance labor (Dean Aircraft Service), parking ($2/night overnight, free daytime via ParkMobile), industrial land lease/sale at the Key Brothers Aviation Site, warehouse rental, and digital advertising on LG 4K LED displays sold directly across all three MAA locations. Ground transportation is served exclusively by U-Save Car Rental inside the terminal.

Customer segments split between air travelers (passenger and parking), general aviation operators (FBO and MRO), industrial development prospects (aerospace, manufacturing, logistics), and advertising clients (local businesses, military contractors, tourism operators). Pricing is unit-based for parking and transactions, subscription/recurring for industrial and warehouse leases, and advertising-based for digital displays. The Authority markets through its own website (meridianairport.com), Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, with direct sales outreach for industrial leasing and advertising. No outside equity funding is involved; the entity operates as a self-funded public authority.

Name

Meridian Regional Airport

Legal name

Meridian Airport Authority

Website

https://meridianairport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Meridian Regional Airport is a publicly operated Mississippi state entity that runs the commercial-service Key Field Airport in Meridian, providing scheduled United Airlines passenger flights, FBO and aircraft maintenance services, industrial land leasing, and a museum, all under a single Airport Authority.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Airport Operations

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881), Air Traffic Control (488111), Other Airport Operations (488119)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

Keywords

• Regional airport services
• Commercial airline operations
• Fixed base operator
• Aircraft maintenance
• Aviation industrial development

Headquarters

HQ city

Meridian

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aviation Services: Revenue generated from airline operations including landing fees, terminal rents, and passenger facilities charges. United Airlines operates daily flights to Houston, TX.
2. Industrial Development: Revenue from land lease and sale of industrial parcels at the Key Brothers Aviation Site (130-acre certified site adjacent to the longest public runway in Mississippi at 10,003 feet).
3. Terminal Advertising: Revenue from advertising placements on LG 55-inch LED 4K displays throughout terminal and baggage claim areas across all MAA locations.
4. Parking Operations: Revenue from overnight parking at $2.00 per night; daytime parking is free. Managed through ParkMobile app and traditional payment methods.
5. FBO Services: Meridian Aviation (FBO) provides fuel and services to aircraft; Dean Aircraft Service provides aircraft maintenance. Both operated under Meridian Airport Authority.
6. Warehouse One: Industrial warehouse rental at 1601 60th Place Meridian, MS, featuring truck loading facilities, crane equipment, and 5 acres of additional land for development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Meridian Regional Airport (Key Field Airport) is a regional commercial service airport operated by the Meridian Airport Authority, providing daily United Airlines flights to Houston, terminal and parking services, fixed-base operator fuel and ground handling through Meridian Aviation, aircraft maintenance through Dean Aircraft Service, a 130-acre certified industrial development site adjacent to its 10,003-foot runway, an industrial warehouse (Warehouse One), terminal advertising on LED 4K displays, and the on-site Key Brothers Aviation Museum.

Product overview

Meridian Regional Airport operates as a regional commercial airport under the Meridian Airport Authority, which also encompasses Meridian Aviation (full-service FBO), Dean Aircraft Service (aircraft maintenance), Key Brothers Aviation Museum, Warehouse One (industrial property), and the Key Brothers Aviation Site (industrial development). The airport features the longest public runway in Mississippi at 10,003 feet with daily United Airlines service to Houston. The Authority offers complementary services including airport parking (via ParkMobile), ground transportation (U-Save car rental), and airport advertising on digital displays. The organization provides comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plans, and financial wellness programs through various third-party providers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Meridian Regional Airport (Key Field Airport) — Commercial Air Service Regional commercial service airport in Meridian, Mississippi operating under the Meridian Airport Authority. Features the longest public runway in Mississippi at 10,003 feet and provides commercial air service via United Airlines with daily nonstop flights to Houston, TX. Serves individual air travelers as the sole commercial service airport in the Meridian region.
• Meridian Aviation (FBO Services) Full-service Fixed Base Operator (FBO) providing fuel (Jet A and 100LL), ground handling, and aircraft services to corporate and general aviation operators. Operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meridian Airport Authority.
• Dean Aircraft Service (Aircraft Maintenance) Premier aircraft maintenance provider for corporate aircraft. Operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meridian Airport Authority, delivering maintenance services under the same MAA umbrella as the airport and FBO.
• Key Brothers Aviation Site (Industrial Development) Publicly-owned 130-acre certified industrial development site adjacent to the airport. Certified by Goldsmith Strategic Services with water, sewer, natural gas, electricity, and fiber optic on site. Features a 4.3-acre concrete apron and direct Taxiway A connection to both runways. Completed Phase I environmental review, cultural artifacts survey, wetlands delineation, and geotechnical studies. Marketed to aerospace, manufacturing, logistics, and defense tenants.
• Warehouse One Industrial warehouse facility located at 1601 60th Place Meridian, MS 39307. Originally built as an aluminum extrusion facility; roof replaced 2017; LED lighting updated 2024. Includes truck well with four positions, electric roll-up doors, two 3-ton cranes with 64' span, one 1-ton crane, and approximately 5 acres of adjacent land available for development. Located 1/4 mile south of I-20 and I-59 off Highway 11 South.
• Airport Parking On-site airport parking at Meridian Regional Airport. Daytime parking is free; overnight parking is $2.00 per night. Payment is accepted via the ParkMobile app, ParkMobile phone call (zone numbers from posted signs), or cash/check envelope system.
• Ground Transportation / Rental Cars Discount car rental services provided by U-Save, located in terminal near baggage claim. Auto rental customer service is available. U-Save is the sole rental car provider at the airport.
• Airport Digital Advertising Digital out-of-home advertising placements on LG 55-inch LED 4K displays across all three MAA locations (Meridian Regional Airport terminal, Dean Aircraft Service, Meridian Aviation). Baggage claim features 5 displays. Sold directly to local businesses, military contractors, and tourism-related enterprises through the MAA advertising team.
• Key Brothers Aviation Museum On-site aviation museum preserving the history of the Key Brothers and their 1935 world endurance record flight, located inside the Meridian Regional Airport terminal.

Named customers3 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

Integration9 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Airlines is the sole commercial airline operating at Meridian Regional Airport, providing daily flights to Houston, TX. Passengers required to check-in 60 minutes before departure with bags. All ticket counter transactions require debit or credit card payment (no cash).
• U-SavecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorU-Save is the sole rental car company at Meridian Regional Airport, located in the terminal near baggage claim. Provides discount car rental prices with auto rental customer service.
• Mississippi Air National GuardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates fire station at the airport. G.V. Sonny Montgomery National Guard Complex hosts 186th Air Refueling Wing, 248th Air Traffic Control Squadron, and 155th Army Aviation Support Facility.
• Weems Community Mental Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services including outpatient mental health therapy, medication evaluation, and substance abuse treatment. Covers employees, spouses, and dependent children at no charge.
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MississippicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides employer-paid medical coverage for full-time employees. MAA pays 25% of dependent health care insurance effective January 1, 2020. Includes on-site wellness clinics and Healthy You wellness program with gift card incentives.
• PrincipalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides dental insurance (employer-paid for full-time employees) and $50,000 Group Term Life insurance. Additional voluntary life and critical illness coverage available.
• Community Eye CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides vision insurance coverage through CEC network of optometrists, ophthalmologists, and national retail optical chains. Employer-paid for full-time employees.
• Colonial LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides optional voluntary accident, disability, and cancer insurance for employees. Also offers Whole Life 5000 Plus coverage for employees and dependents.
• SwiftMDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelemedicine service provided through Benefits Management Group. Board-certified physicians available 24/7 for consults by phone or videoconference at no cost to employees (fully paid benefit).
• Dave Ramsey's SmartDollarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial wellness program fully paid for all full-time and part-time employees. Teaches budgeting, debt elimination, and retirement planning.
• Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMandatory retirement plan for employees. Employees contribute 9% of salary; employer contributes 17.4%. Must work eight years to vest under Tier 4 (members after July 1, 2011).
• Mississippi Deferred CompensationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoluntary supplemental tax-deferred retirement savings plan. Authority provides 50% match up to $100/month for full-time employees effective January 1, 2020.
• Benefits Management GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdministers SwiftMD telemedicine benefit for Meridian Airport Authority employees.
• GovDealsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternet auction platform for surplus equipment sales by Meridian Airport Authority. Upcoming auction June 10-22, 2026 includes 2007 Ford F150, 2018 Ford Explorer, and office furniture.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport: Mississippi's other primary commercial airport under a similar Gulf-South regional service model. Comparable for benchmarking commercial route mix, carrier recruitment decisions, and passenger volume dynamics directly affecting Meridian.
• Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport: Mississippi's largest commercial hub. Same state, same regulatory environment, similar carrier-recruitment dynamics; the principal in-state benchmark for any attempt by Meridian to attract a second airline.
• Mobile Regional Airport: Gulf-Coast regional airport of comparable size with similar small-metro commercial profile. Useful peer for benchmarking EAS-style operations, parking revenue, and FBO economics.
• Montgomery Regional Airport (Alabama): Alabama regional airport with similar small-metro commercial profile and limited carrier mix. Direct comparable for operating cost benchmarking and tenant lease terms.
• Tupelo Regional Airport: Smaller Mississippi regional airport under similar public-authority governance. Closest in-state peer for small-market commercial and general-aviation operations comparison.
• Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport: Mississippi's other small commercial regional in the southern part of the state. Comparable for benchmarking small-market airport operating economics.
• Asheville Regional Airport: Regional airport in a small/mid market (Western North Carolina) with single-region commercial service profile, comparable size, and limited carrier mix.
• Shreveport Regional Airport: Louisiana regional airport of similar scale and small-metro commercial profile. Useful Gulf-South comparable for small-market operations benchmarking.
• Fayetteville Regional Airport (NC): Small commercial regional serving a Fort Bragg/federal-defense adjacent market. Particularly relevant peer given Meridian's dependence on its National Guard partnership.

Broad incumbents

• Huntsville International Airport: Larger Alabama regional with a significant industrial park and aerospace focus. Relevant broad-incumbent comparator given Meridian's industrial-development and long-runway positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MeridianAirport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtgOx0XOzBvzycmsiMmdXoA
• Facebookfacebook.com/meridianairport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/meridian-airport-authority
• Instagraminstagram.com/meridian.airport/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 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 Meridian Regional Airport