Snow came down fast enough Saturday to shut the airfield at McGhee Tyson Airport, halting takeoffs and landings and throwing a wrench into Knoxville-area travel plans. The temporary closure disrupted Saturday morning operations and left passengers staring down delays and the possibility of cancellations while crews worked to dig out the runways and taxiways.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration notice, McGhee Tyson (TYS) was listed as closed through 17:00 UTC on Jan. 31, or noon Eastern, because of snow and reduced visibility, as reported by the FAA. The NOTAM set a planned reopening time while crews cleared the field and reminded pilots and airlines to verify the latest airport status before operating.
Airport officials said on social media that the airfield and runways were temporarily shut down "due to the rate of continued snow accumulation" and that crews were targeting a midday reopening, according to WATE. Passengers were urged to confirm their flight status on flyknoxville.com and to reach out to their airlines about rebooking options and possible weather waivers.
What Travelers Should Know
Anyone flying through McGhee Tyson should be ready for delays and some cancellations while the snow is cleared and surfaces are treated. Earlier in the week, the airport saw dozens of cancelled flights tied to the broader winter system, a reminder of how quickly bad weather can ripple through airline schedules, according to WVLT.
How The Airport Is Responding
Airport operations teams pre-treated runways and taxiways before the storm and shared overnight photos of plows and de-icing crews working the field, as reported by WATE. Even with that prep work, officials said the snow was coming down quickly enough that they needed a temporary shutdown to clear and retreat the surfaces safely.
The FAA notice will be updated if conditions change. Before heading to the airport, travelers should check flyknoxville.com and their airline for the latest information. For urgent questions, passengers can contact their carrier or the airport’s customer service line for assistance.
