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February 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tunica Airport Expansion Set To Open This Spring
TUNICA,
Mississippi (Feb. 11, 2003) - The first phase of Tunica's airport
expansion project is scheduled to open early this spring, giving
visitors access to "The South's Casino Capital" via corporate and
regional aircraft. In addition, Tunica has accelerated the next
phase of the expansion to extend its runway and parallel taxiway to
a full 7,000 feet by approximately year-end, which will allow larger
aircraft and airlines to land here.
"The
airport expansion provides Tunica with a significantly enhanced
air-based infrastructure that will have a direct and positive impact
on our tourism industry as well as on economic development
throughout the Delta," said Webster Franklin, president and CEO of
the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau.
With
the completion of Phase 1 this spring, which includes a 5,500-foot
runway and parallel taxiway, the primary users of the Tunica Airport
will be private and corporate aircraft. The current phase of the
expansion project also includes a general and corporate aviation
ramp and 10,000-square-foot Air Center. Upon completion of Phase 2,
the extension of the runway and parallel taxiway extension (out to
7,000 feet) by the end of this year or early 2004, the Tunica
Airport will be capable of supporting narrow-body commercial charter
operations.
The
approximate cost of the expansion project totals $39 million and, to
date, is the largest single project ever funded by the Federal
Aviation Administration in Mississippi. Upon completion, Tunica's
runway will be the longest runway in Mississippi north of Jackson.
The Tunica Airport is located southeast of U.S. Highway 61 on
Beatline Road. The airport's executive director is Cliff Nash, C.M.
(Certified Member, American Association of Airport Executives).
The
airport project includes the following phases:
Phase 1 - Scheduled completion date is Spring 2003
- New 5,500
feet of runway and parallel taxiway.
-
20,000-square-foot general and corporate aviation ramp.
-
10,000-square-foot Air Center.
- Scheduled
completion date is Spring 2003
Phase 2 - Scheduled completion date is late 2003/early 2004
- Extension
of the 5,500-foot runway and parallel taxiway to 7,000 feet.
- The runway
and taxiways will accommodate narrow-body commercial aircraft
(Boeing 737s, 727s, DC9s, MD80s and Airbus 320s.
-
Installation of instrument landing system (ILS), approach lights
and other navigational aids.
- Scheduled
completion date is year-end 2003.
Phase 3 - Scheduled completion date is late 2004
- A
32,000-square-foot commercial apron to hold several aircraft.
- A
45,000-square-foot terminal building with two arrival and
departure gates, with jet loading bridges with secure holding of
up to 190 passengers per gate.
- Airport rescue
and fire fighting (ARFF) station, equipment and personnel.
Phase 4 - Future Plans
- A 1,500-foot
extension of the runway and parallel taxiway, for a total of 8,500
feet.
Tunica,
an area where cotton, rice, soybean fields and catfish ponds still
thrive, is "The South's Casino Capital." Located 30 minutes south of
Memphis, Tunica welcomes more than 15 million visitors annually to
its nine world-class casino resorts, with more than 6,300 new hotel
rooms, over 40 restaurants, championship golf, outdoor recreation,
museums, outlet and antique shopping, and much more. For travel
information, please visit the Tunica website at www.tunicamiss.com
or call Tunica at 1-888-4TUNICA.
-end-
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