McGhee Tyson Airport has shut down the elevator in its parking garage so contractors can swap it out, all part of a larger push to get the terminal ready for Southwest Airlines' planned arrival. Airport signage and staff say the replacement elevator is expected to be up and running by mid‑February, and temporary employees and traffic officers are in place to steer passengers through the disruption. For now, travelers are being urged to pad their schedule with a little extra time while the work wraps up.
Board Signs Off On Elevator Work
The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority signed off on the garage elevator replacement and approved CHA Consulting to handle the project under a $276,470 work authorization, as reported by The Daily Times. The decision was wrapped into a broader bundle of vendor and small‑capital approvals that airport leaders say are aimed at getting the terminal in shape for more service.
Southwest Service Starts March 5
Southwest Airlines plans to launch service at McGhee Tyson on March 5, 2026, with multiple daily round trips that will link Knoxville to several national hubs, the carrier said in a press release via Southwest Airlines. Airport officials have cast the new flights as a boost for both tourism and business travel in East Tennessee, framing the elevator overhaul as one small but necessary piece of that larger rollout.
Terminal Work, Escalators And Passenger Help
Officials told reporters that contractors are finishing interior terminal work to carve out counter space and install gate equipment for the new carrier, and that the main terminal escalators were replaced late last year. "Temporary employees stationed on level two and traffic officers are assisting passengers during elevator work," MKAA vice president of public relations Becky Huckaby told The Daily Times. In the same approval packet, the authority also signed off on modest equipment purchases linked to an additional gate.
What Travelers Should Know
Until the new garage elevator is in service, passengers who need step‑free access are advised to build in extra time, use the terminal's ground‑level entrances, or contact airport staff for assistance. The airport's website is keeping tabs on the latest parking and arrivals information, and for flight schedules and real‑time updates, travelers can head to the official site at FlyKnoxville.
