Airports in Rankin County, Mississippi: Private, Municipal, Regional(All)

Rankin County Airport Directory

Rankin County, Mississippi, sits just east of the state capital and is home to a vibrant mix of suburban neighborhoods, historic towns, and thriving unincorporated communities. The county’s aviation needs are anchored by Jackson‑Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (IATA: JAN, ICAO: KJAN), the only commercial airport located wholly within Rankin County. Positioned on the north‑east side of the city of Jackson, the airport straddles the Pearl‑Brandon corridor and serves as the primary gateway for more than 1.7 million passengers each year, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s 2022 enplanement report.

Airport Serving Rankin County

Jackson‑Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport occupies 2,600 acres in the unincorporated community of Pearl. The facility features two intersecting runways—12/30 (9,001 ft) and 8/26 (6,500 ft)—both equipped with precision instrument landing systems that accommodate a full spectrum of aircraft, from regional jets to heavy cargo freighters. In 2023 the airport recorded 38,000 aircraft operations, with 68 % attributed to commercial airline traffic, 22 % to general aviation, and the remaining 10 % split between military and air‑taxi services.

The terminal complex includes three concourses, 22 gates, a dedicated cargo ramp, and an on‑site Fixed‑Base Operator (FBO) operated by Atlantic Aviation. Passengers benefit from amenities such as free Wi‑Fi, a rental‑car center, and a recently expanded food‑service corridor featuring local Mississippi specialties. The airport’s economic impact study estimates that it supports over 5,200 jobs in Rankin County and contributes roughly $460 million annually to the regional economy.

General‑Aviation Facilities and Airport Offices in Rankin County

Beyond the international hub, Rankin County is home to Pearl Municipal Airport (FAA: M71), a public‑use, single‑runway field located just 2.3 miles east of the JAN perimeter. Although privately owned, Pearl Municipal offers tie‑down services, a modest terminal building, and a flight‑training school operated by AeroFly Mississippi. The airport’s runway 15/33 measures 3,200 ft and is suited for single‑engine pistons, light turboprops, and small business jets. The Rankin County Airport Office, housed in the same complex, handles licensing, noise‑abatement coordination, and community outreach for both JAN and Pearl Municipal.

Communities in Rankin County with Airport Access

Rankin County’s transportation network links every major community to the airport corridor within a 15‑minute drive. Brandon, the county seat, lies 9.5 miles north of JAN and 11 miles from Pearl Municipal, reachable via Interstate 20 and U.S. Route 80. Residents of Flowood enjoy a 6.2‑mile commute to the international airport, while the historic town of Richland sits just 5.4 miles to the southwest, making it the closest community to both runways. Unincorporated areas such as Utica (7.8 miles), Florence (10.1 miles), and the growing subdivision of Ingleside (4.3 miles) all benefit from direct access to the airport’s major highways.

For businesses in the Rankin County industrial park near the I‑20 corridor, the proximity of JAN’s cargo ramp—only 1.2 miles from the main freight loading dock—means packages can be transferred to air freight carriers in under 30 minutes. The airport’s on‑site customs facility also enables direct international shipments without the need to travel to Memphis or Atlanta.

Airport Services Rankin County Residents Rely On

Passenger services at JAN include daily nonstop flights to Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, and seasonal routes to Orlando and Denver, operated by major carriers such as Delta, American, and United. The airport’s TSA PreCheck enrollment center, located in the main terminal, processes over 12,000 travelers each month, reducing average security wait times to under five minutes. Cargo operators like FedEx Express and UPS Airlines maintain dedicated bays, handling more than 220,000 tons of freight annually.

General‑aviation pilots using Pearl Municipal benefit from 24‑hour fuel service (100LL avgas and Jet‑A), a maintenance hangar staffed by Certified Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMTs), and a pilot lounge equipped with flight‑planning computers. The airport also hosts an annual “Rankin County Aviation Day,” a free public event that showcases historic aircraft, offers introductory flight lessons, and provides a platform for local aerospace education programs.

How to Find an Airport in Rankin County

Travelers searching for an "airport in Rankin County" can use the FAA’s Airport/Facility Directory or the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s interactive map, which pinpoints both JAN and Pearl Municipal with satellite imagery. Mobile apps such as FlightAware and SkyVector display real‑time runway information, weather METARs, and NOTAMs for each facility. For those seeking the nearest airport to a specific address, Google Maps’ “near me” function lists JAN as the top result for most ZIP codes in the county, followed by Pearl Municipal for locations east of U.S. Route 49.

Frequently Asked Questions — Rankin County Airport Directory

How many airports are located in Rankin County, Mississippi?

Rankin County has two public‑use airports: Jackson‑Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN), the county’s sole commercial airport, and Pearl Municipal Airport (M71), a general‑aviation field located 2.3 miles east of JAN. Both facilities are listed in the FAA’s National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.

What airport services are offered at the Rankin County airport near Pearl?

Pearl Municipal Airport provides 24‑hour self‑serve fuel (100LL and Jet‑A), tie‑down and hangar space for up to 30 aircraft, a flight‑training school run by AeroFly Mississippi, and a certified maintenance shop that handles piston‑engine and light‑jet repairs. The Rankin County Airport Office located on site also processes aircraft registration and noise‑abatement requests.

What is the distance from Brandon, Mississippi to the nearest airport in Rankin County?

Brandon, the county seat, is approximately 9.5 miles north of Jackson‑Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport via Interstate 20 and 11 miles from Pearl Municipal Airport via U.S. Route 49. The typical driving time to JAN is 15‑18 minutes, depending on traffic.

Which airport in Rankin County offers flight training and aircraft maintenance for private pilots?

Jackson‑Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport hosts the Mississippi Aviation Academy, which provides Part 141 flight‑training programs, while Pearl Municipal Airport’s AeroFly Mississippi school offers private‑pilot and instrument‑rating courses. Both airports have FAA‑certified maintenance facilities; JAN’s FBO Atlantic Aviation handles complex avionics work, and Pearl’s on‑site hangar provides routine inspections and engine overhauls.

How does the Rankin County airport office handle cargo operations for local businesses?

The Rankin County Airport Office coordinates cargo handling at JAN’s dedicated cargo ramp, which processes over 220,000 tons of freight each year. It works directly with carriers such as FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, and regional cargo operators to schedule loading, customs clearance, and ground‑transport pick‑up, ensuring that shipments from the Rankin County industrial park can be air‑shipped within 30 minutes of arrival at the ramp.