Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Terry Blue, President and CEO of Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority, who discusses the history and ongoing modernization efforts at Memphis International Airport (MEM) as part of "MEM on the Move." During the interview, Terry shares some historical perspective with Memphis International Airport's dedication in 1929 and the original terminal dedication in 1963. He talks about what the Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority does and how it operates three airports, including Memphis International Airport, and maintains the facilities, runways, and grounds. He compares it to managing a shopping mall overseeing the facilities, but not the individual stores, with the different partnerships like the airlines, TSA, FAA, and food vendors each being in control of their own operations.

Terry talks about how the airport has experienced year-over-year growth in passenger numbers and is the busiest cargo airport in North America. Terry then highlights the concourse modernization that was completed in 2022, reinventing the Memphis traveling experience, and how that now carries into more updates and modernization projects to further enhance passenger convenience and future-proof the facilities for continued growth. The projects, which are part of the MEM on the Move initiative, includes a parking guidance system, a new parking management system, and improvements to the rental car facilities. It also includes the Airport Terminal Modernization and Seismic Program, which is a 6-year, $700 million project to modernize the 1963 terminal building. The project involves seismic enhancements, life safety features, and architectural updates while maintaining the building's historic elements. The airport will remain operational during the construction. This portion of the project is expected to begin in 2027. Completion is expected in 2030.

Visit https://flymemphis.com to learn more about Memphis International Airport or visit https://flymemphis.com/mem-on-the-move/ to learn more about MEM on the Move.