After many years of planning, the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) developed a 10-year plan for McGhee Tyson Airport known as Flight Plan. This long-range plan prepares the airport for the future by addressing critical infrastructure needs while enhancing the overall passenger experience.
The next step in advancing the Flight Plan is the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed passenger terminal expansion, connected actions, and enabling projects.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a federal law that requires federal agencies to study potential environmental impacts of proposed projects to make more informed decisions. An Environmental Assessment (EA) identifies and assesses whether the project will affect the environment and offers any reasonable alternatives.
For airports, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the lead federal agency, ensuring compliance with NEPA, under FAA Order 1050.1G: FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures.
After many years of planning, the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) developed a 10-year plan for McGhee Tyson Airport known as Flight Plan. This long-range plan prepares the airport for the future by addressing critical infrastructure needs while enhancing the overall passenger experience.
The next step in advancing the Flight Plan is the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed passenger terminal expansion, connected actions, and enabling projects.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a federal law that requires federal agencies to study potential environmental impacts of proposed projects to make more informed decisions. An Environmental Assessment (EA) identifies and assesses whether the project will affect the environment and offers any reasonable alternatives.
For airports, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the lead federal agency, ensuring compliance with NEPA, under FAA Order 1050.1G: FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures.
The first step of the EA is to establish the purpose and need for the project. The need addresses why the project is necessary. The purpose offers the solution.
The region is growing quickly, welcoming more residents, visitors, and businesses each year. McGhee Tyson Airport is growing to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding region.
Total passengers at McGhee Tyson Airport are projected to reach 4.1 million by 2027, and 4.7 million by 2030.
Total TYS Airline Passengers 2015–2030
The Terminal Area Development Program will expand the current terminal building, passenger concourse, and other enabling projects. It is designed to:
Increase terminal capacity to meet forecasted growth.
Enhance the passenger experience by alleviating congestion and improving Level of Service (LoS) across terminal functions.
Accommodate the airlines switching from regional jets to narrow body aircraft.
Replace aging infrastructure.
Improve operational efficiencies.
The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority is preparing an EA for the proposed terminal expansion, connected actions, and other enabling projects at McGhee Tyson Airport.
The Proposed Action includes a combination of new construction, reconstruction, relocation, and demolition projects. Construction is anticipated to occur in two phases, depending on funding.
Estimated Completion: 2030
Estimated Completion: 2035
