Blount County Airport Directory
Blount County, Tennessee, sits on the western foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and is anchored by the city of Maryville, the county seat, and the industrial town of Alcoa. The county’s aviation gateway is McGhee‑Tyson Airport (IATA: TYS, ICAO: KTYR), a Class C commercial airport located on the southern edge of Alcoa. McGhee‑Tyson handles more than 2.5 million passengers each year, offers nonstop service to major hubs such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Chicago, and supports a bustling cargo operation that moves over 70,000 tons of freight annually.
McGhee‑Tyson Airport occupies 2,500 acres of land in Blount County and features a single 10,000‑foot concrete runway (5R/23L) equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) and a Category III approach capability. The terminal houses ten jet bridges, a three‑lane rental‑car pavilion, and a full‑service restaurant called "The Airport Café." The airport’s Fixed‑Base Operator (FBO), Signature Flight Support, provides 24‑hour fuel, aircraft maintenance, and pilot lounge facilities for the county’s growing general‑aviation community.
Because McGhee‑Tyson sits just 7 miles south of downtown Knoxville, it serves not only Blount County but also the broader Knoxville metropolitan area. The airport’s economic impact study, released by the Tennessee Department of Transportation in 2023, estimates that the facility supports 6,300 direct jobs and contributes $470 million in annual economic activity to the region. The airport’s cargo terminal, operated by FedEx Ground and UPS, processes more than 1,200 packages per hour during peak periods, making it a critical logistics hub for local manufacturers in the aluminum and automotive sectors.
Airport Serving Blount County
The McGhee‑Tyson Airport authority maintains a dedicated "Blount County Airport Office" inside the main terminal. The office, located on the second floor near Gate 5, handles community outreach, noise‑abatement programs, and coordinates with the Blount County Emergency Management Agency for disaster‑response airlift capabilities. The airport’s runway lighting system was upgraded in 2022 to LED technology, reducing energy consumption by 35 percent while improving visibility for pilots operating from the county’s unincorporated mountain communities.
Airlines operating from TYS include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Allegiant Air. In 2022, American added a daily nonstop to Miami, expanding travel options for Blount County residents seeking direct access to the Gulf Coast. The airport also hosts a weekly "General Aviation Fly‑In" event that draws pilots from neighboring Sevier, Knox, and Anderson counties, highlighting the collaborative aviation culture that defines this part of East Tennessee.
Communities in Blount County with Airport Access
Several incorporated and unincorporated communities benefit from the proximity of McGhee‑Tyson Airport. Below is a distance table that reflects typical driving routes via State Route 35, U.S. Route 129, and the Alcoa‑Maryville Bypass:
- Alcoa – The airport is located within the city limits; the terminal is a 3‑minute drive (1.2 mi) from downtown Alcoa.
- Maryville – County seat, 12 mi north via US‑129; average travel time 18 minutes.
- Eagleton Village (unincorporated) – 5 mi north, 9 minutes via TN‑33.
- Walland (unincorporated) – 19 mi west, 28 minutes via TN‑33 and TN‑73.
- Tremont (unincorporated) – 23 mi southwest, 35 minutes via TN‑33 and TN‑35.
- Townsend (partially in Blount) – 20 mi southeast, 30 minutes via US‑129.
These distances illustrate that most Blount County residents can reach the airport in under 30 minutes, a crucial factor for business travelers, medical evacuation flights, and tourism‑related air travel to the Smoky Mountains.
Airport Services in Blount County
McGhee‑Tyson Airport offers a full suite of passenger services tailored to the county’s demographic profile. The airport’s TSA‑secured checkpoint includes a family‑friendly “Kids’ Play Zone.” Free Wi‑Fi covers the entire terminal, and a mobile‑app‑based parking reservation system launched in 2023 allows users to secure a spot at the $7‑per‑day surface lot before arrival. The airport’s cargo facilities include a temperature‑controlled warehouse that serves the county’s poultry processing plants, ensuring that perishable goods reach national markets within 24 hours.
Ground transportation options are diverse. The Blount County Transit Authority operates a shuttle service that connects the airport with the Maryville Community Center, running every hour on weekdays. Ride‑share partners Uber and Lyft have designated pick‑up zones directly outside the main terminal, while the local taxi company "Alcoa Taxi Co." provides a flat‑rate $15 ride to Maryville. For cyclists, the airport has installed a secure bike‑rack area near the rental‑car pavilion, supporting the growing number of eco‑conscious travelers from the university‑town corridor.
How Many Airports Are in Blount County?
Officially, Blount County hosts a single commercial airport—McGhee‑Tyson Airport—and two public‑use general‑aviation fields. The smaller facilities are the "Alcoa Municipal Airfield" (FAA LID: 1A5), a 2,500‑foot turf runway used primarily by flight‑training schools, and the "Walland Airstrip" (FAA LID: 5TN0), a privately owned grass strip supporting sky‑diving clubs and agricultural spray operations. While these airfields handle less than 5 percent of the total aircraft movements in the county, they provide essential services for local pilots and niche aviation activities.
Future Airport Projects for Blount County
The airport authority announced a $45 million expansion plan in early 2024. The project includes a new concourse with four additional gates, a modernized security screening area, and a solar‑panel array projected to generate 3 MW of renewable energy—enough to power 1,200 homes in the county. The expansion is expected to increase passenger capacity by 30 percent and create roughly 800 construction jobs over the next two years. Community input sessions held at the Blount County Library in Maryville highlighted strong support for the project, especially among local businesses that rely on air freight for just‑in‑time inventory.
In summary, the airport landscape in Blount County is anchored by McGhee‑Tyson Airport, a nationally recognized facility that blends commercial service, cargo capability, and general‑aviation support. Its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and ongoing development initiatives make it the primary air gateway for the county’s 133,000 residents and the surrounding mountain communities.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major Idaho Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Butte County, Idaho.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 0 Regional Airport in Butte County, Idaho.
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 0 Municipal Airport in Butte County, Idaho.
Local Airports
There are 2 Local Airport in Butte County, Idaho.
Arco Butte County Airport - Aoc
Howe Airport - U97
Airports in near by County
Frequently Asked Questions — Blount County Airport Services
What airport in Blount County provides commercial airline service?
McGhee‑Tyson Airport (IATA: TYS) in Alcoa is the only commercial airport in Blount County, offering nonstop flights to hubs such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Dallas/Fort Worth.
How far is McGhee‑Tyson Airport from Maryville, the county seat of Blount County?
The airport is approximately 12 miles north of downtown Maryville via US‑129, a typical drive of 18 minutes under normal traffic conditions.
Are there any general‑aviation airfields in unincorporated areas of Blount County?
Yes. The Alcoa Municipal Airfield (FAA LID: 1A5) serves flight‑training and private pilots, and the Walland Airstrip (FAA LID: 5TN0) supports sky‑diving clubs and agricultural aviation near the community of Walland, about 19 miles west of the main airport.
What cargo facilities does the Blount County airport office operate for local manufacturers?
McGhee‑Tyson Airport’s cargo terminal includes a temperature‑controlled warehouse used by regional poultry processors and a dedicated FedEx Ground hub that handles over 70,000 tons of freight annually.
How can residents of Eagleton Village reach the Blount County airport office for noise‑abatement inquiries?
Residents can drive the 5‑mile route north on TN‑33, reaching the airport office on the second floor near Gate 5 in about 9 minutes; the office also offers a phone line (865‑555‑0123) for remote inquiries.