McAllen-Miller International Airport
Encyclopedia
McAllen-Miller International Airport is an airport in McAllen
, Texas
, United States
, located 2 miles (3.2 km) south of the central business district
. The airport has 2 runways and one terminal with 5 gates. According to the updated 20-year Master Plan for MFE, runway 13/31 will be extended to 10,000 ft. In addition, a parallel runway will be added. An expanded cargo apron will be on the south side of the airport. In early 2006, Gate 5 opened on the main concourse due to the arrival of Delta Connection. In 2008, a terminal capacity study was conducted to assess the future needs of the airport and possible terminal expansion to include eight (8) gates, larger ticketing/office area, TSA security area queue. Paid parking at the airport was implemented on November 15, 2007 with the implementation of the Economy, Long-term and Short-term Lots.
metropolitan areas. The airport is also served by all three global alliances, Star Alliance
, SkyTeam
, and oneworld
. Following growth in commercial passenger service, MFE lost its only international flight in September 2007 - a daily Continental Express flight to Mexico City. After less than one year in service, it was announced that MFE would lose its only non-stop flight to Los Angeles, operated by Delta Connection partner ExpressJet Airlines
, at the end of 2007. In December 2007, it was announced that Delta Connection would pull out of the McAllen market altogether on January 6, 2008, discontinuing its remaining two flights a day from MFE to Atlanta, operated by Delta Connection partner Atlantic Southeast Airlines
. In March 2009, Delta, through its wholly owned subsidiary Northwest Airlines
, returned to MFE with operations to Memphis
, operated by Northwest Airlink partner Pinnacle Airlines
. Northwest Airlines
had previously operated flights from MFE to Memphis
starting in 2004. On September 7, 2010, Delta Connection partner Atlantic Southeast Airlines
resumed service to MFE essentially taking over the non-stop MFE-MEM route from Pinnacle Airlines. Starting May 1, 2011, Delta connection partner Atlantic Southeast Airlines
will begin non-stop service from MFE-ATL and discontinue service from MFE-MEM. On May 24, 2009, Allegiant Air commenced bi-weekly, non-stop service to LAX Los Angeles
, in addition to non-stop service to SFB Orlando
two (2) times a week, and non-stop service to LAS Las Vegas
five times a week. On August 15th, 2009, Allegiant announced that it would cease to operate service from MFE to LAX after less than a year in service due to poor passenger load factor.
throughout the terminal and a business center providing travelers with privacy, phones, and wireless internet connections. Post-security, the airport has a Classic Shoe Shine booth whose prices can be found on the airport's website. For shopping amentities, the airport has The Paradies Shops
post-security. In October 2010, a CNBC
News Store was completed pre-security.
The airport has the following on-site rental car companies:
The following are off-site rental car companies:
The following are planned additions/renovations:
"The project includes construction of a one-story building addition of approximately 7,400 square feet at the west end of the terminal building for a checked baggage screening facility and expanded outbound baggage handling system; renovation of approximately 11,200 square feet at the east end of the terminal building for public lobby improvements, expanded passenger security screening checkpoint, tenant office improvements, and concessions. It includes a two-story addition of approximately 33,000 square feet at the south end of the terminal building for aircraft boarding gates with passenger boarding bridges, passenger holdrooms, public lobbies, restrooms, concessions, airline operations, and mechanical and electrical equipment rooms; renovation of approximately 5,000 square feet at the south end of the terminal building for aircraft boarding gate and passenger holdroom improvements. It includes the replacement of HVAC central plant equipment which has reached the end of its useful life; and refurbishment of five existing passenger boarding bridges. Site work includes replacement of portions of the aircraft apron as required for building construction, underground utilities work, and apron drainage, and pavement marking and striping for aircraft positions and service vehicle lanes. The project includes a phased construction program and temporary facilities and provisions necessary to support ongoing airport operations during construction. http://www.mcallen.net/files/docs/bids/08-11-C30-190/BN%20MMIAP%20Terminal%20Expansion-revised.pdf"
McAllen, Texas
McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. It is located at the southern tip of Texas in an area known as the Rio Grande Valley and is part of the . Its southern boundary is located about five miles from the U.S.–Mexico border and the Mexican city of Reynosa, the Rio...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, located 2 miles (3.2 km) south of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
. The airport has 2 runways and one terminal with 5 gates. According to the updated 20-year Master Plan for MFE, runway 13/31 will be extended to 10,000 ft. In addition, a parallel runway will be added. An expanded cargo apron will be on the south side of the airport. In early 2006, Gate 5 opened on the main concourse due to the arrival of Delta Connection. In 2008, a terminal capacity study was conducted to assess the future needs of the airport and possible terminal expansion to include eight (8) gates, larger ticketing/office area, TSA security area queue. Paid parking at the airport was implemented on November 15, 2007 with the implementation of the Economy, Long-term and Short-term Lots.
Airlines and destinations
Traffic
MFE is currently the busiest commercial passenger airport in the Rio Grande ValleyRio Grande Valley
The Rio Grande Valley or the Lower Rio Grande Valley, informally called The Valley, is an area located in the southernmost tip of South Texas...
metropolitan areas. The airport is also served by all three global alliances, Star Alliance
Star Alliance
Star Alliance is the world's first and largest airline alliance, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany . The alliance was founded in 1997 by five of the world's leading airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines...
, SkyTeam
SkyTeam
SkyTeam, branded as SKYTEAM, is an airline alliance with its centralised management team, SkyTeam Central, based at the World Trade Center Schiphol Airport on the grounds of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands...
, and oneworld
Oneworld
Oneworld , branded as oneworld, is one of the world's three largest global airline alliances with its central management team, oneworld Management Company, based in New York City, New York, USA. Oneworld was founded in 1999 by American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, Cathay Pacific...
. Following growth in commercial passenger service, MFE lost its only international flight in September 2007 - a daily Continental Express flight to Mexico City. After less than one year in service, it was announced that MFE would lose its only non-stop flight to Los Angeles, operated by Delta Connection partner ExpressJet Airlines
ExpressJet Airlines
ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. is an American regional airline based in the A-Tech Center in College Park, Georgia. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlantic Southeast Airlines which is in turn a subsidiary of the airline holding company SkyWest, Inc., parent company of the air carrier SkyWest...
, at the end of 2007. In December 2007, it was announced that Delta Connection would pull out of the McAllen market altogether on January 6, 2008, discontinuing its remaining two flights a day from MFE to Atlanta, operated by Delta Connection partner Atlantic Southeast Airlines
Atlantic Southeast Airlines
Atlantic Southeast Airlines is an American airline based in the A-Tech Center in College Park, Georgia, flying to 144 destinations as a Delta Connection carrier and, as of February 2010, commenced service as a United Express carrier. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. ASA operates...
. In March 2009, Delta, through its wholly owned subsidiary Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines, Inc. was a major United States airline founded in 1926 and absorbed into Delta Air Lines by a merger approved on October 29, 2008, making Delta the largest airline in the world...
, returned to MFE with operations to Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, operated by Northwest Airlink partner Pinnacle Airlines
Pinnacle Airlines
Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. is an American regional airline, which is a subsidiary of Pinnacle Airlines Corp., and operates as Delta Connection for Delta Air Lines...
. Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines, Inc. was a major United States airline founded in 1926 and absorbed into Delta Air Lines by a merger approved on October 29, 2008, making Delta the largest airline in the world...
had previously operated flights from MFE to Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
starting in 2004. On September 7, 2010, Delta Connection partner Atlantic Southeast Airlines
Atlantic Southeast Airlines
Atlantic Southeast Airlines is an American airline based in the A-Tech Center in College Park, Georgia, flying to 144 destinations as a Delta Connection carrier and, as of February 2010, commenced service as a United Express carrier. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. ASA operates...
resumed service to MFE essentially taking over the non-stop MFE-MEM route from Pinnacle Airlines. Starting May 1, 2011, Delta connection partner Atlantic Southeast Airlines
Atlantic Southeast Airlines
Atlantic Southeast Airlines is an American airline based in the A-Tech Center in College Park, Georgia, flying to 144 destinations as a Delta Connection carrier and, as of February 2010, commenced service as a United Express carrier. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. ASA operates...
will begin non-stop service from MFE-ATL and discontinue service from MFE-MEM. On May 24, 2009, Allegiant Air commenced bi-weekly, non-stop service to LAX Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, in addition to non-stop service to SFB Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
two (2) times a week, and non-stop service to LAS Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
five times a week. On August 15th, 2009, Allegiant announced that it would cease to operate service from MFE to LAX after less than a year in service due to poor passenger load factor.
Amenities
The McAllen-Miller International Airport's food and beverage options include a Quizno's pre- and post-security as well as DAZBOG Coffee, an Expeditions Bar, and Hunt Brothers Pizza pre-security. In addition, the McAllen Airport offers complimentary Wi-FiWi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
throughout the terminal and a business center providing travelers with privacy, phones, and wireless internet connections. Post-security, the airport has a Classic Shoe Shine booth whose prices can be found on the airport's website. For shopping amentities, the airport has The Paradies Shops
The Paradies Shops
The Paradies Shops, Inc. operates stores in airports, hotels, and other locations throughout the United States and Canada. Locations include specialty stores and bookstores. The company was founded in 1960 in Atlanta, Georgia.-History:...
post-security. In October 2010, a CNBC
CNBC
CNBC is a satellite and cable television business news channel in the U.S., owned and operated by NBCUniversal. The network and its international spinoffs cover business headlines and provide live coverage of financial markets. The combined reach of CNBC and its siblings is 390 million viewers...
News Store was completed pre-security.
The airport has the following on-site rental car companies:
- Avis Rent-A-Car
- Dollar Rent-A-Car
- Enterprise Rent-A-CarEnterprise Rent-A-CarEnterprise Holdings, Inc. is a privately held company formed in 2009 to operate rental car subsidiaries: Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, Alamo Rent A Car, WeCar and its commercial fleet management, used car sales, and commercial truck rental operations.Enterprise Holdings was formed as...
- Hertz Rent-A-Car
- National Car RentalNational Car RentalNational Car Rental is a rental car company based in Clayton, Missouri. National was founded by 24 independent rental car agents on August 27, 1947...
The following are off-site rental car companies:
- Aleman Auto Rental
- Budget Rent-A-Car
- ThriftyThriftyThrifty is the name of several companies* Thrifty Foods* Thrifty Drug Stores * Thrifty Rent A Car It is also a name given to a type of phenotype* Thrifty phenotype-See also:*Affluenza...
Expansion
As of 2011, plans are currently underway to expand the terminal. http://www.themonitor.com/articles/mcallen-48936-curbs-expansion.html Funding is combined from grants from the FAA and the TSA http://www.themonitor.com/articles/mcallen-55152-federal-airport.htmlThe following are planned additions/renovations:
- Addition of 52,000 square feet
- Adding space for new explosives screening unit, bringing the total to three
- Expanding the terminal and adding space for another gate
- Adding space for the Transportation Security AdministrationTransportation Security AdministrationThe Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that exercises authority over the safety and security of the traveling public in the United States....
- Sterilizer and steam generator (required for some international flights)
- Replacement of HVAC central plant equipment
"The project includes construction of a one-story building addition of approximately 7,400 square feet at the west end of the terminal building for a checked baggage screening facility and expanded outbound baggage handling system; renovation of approximately 11,200 square feet at the east end of the terminal building for public lobby improvements, expanded passenger security screening checkpoint, tenant office improvements, and concessions. It includes a two-story addition of approximately 33,000 square feet at the south end of the terminal building for aircraft boarding gates with passenger boarding bridges, passenger holdrooms, public lobbies, restrooms, concessions, airline operations, and mechanical and electrical equipment rooms; renovation of approximately 5,000 square feet at the south end of the terminal building for aircraft boarding gate and passenger holdroom improvements. It includes the replacement of HVAC central plant equipment which has reached the end of its useful life; and refurbishment of five existing passenger boarding bridges. Site work includes replacement of portions of the aircraft apron as required for building construction, underground utilities work, and apron drainage, and pavement marking and striping for aircraft positions and service vehicle lanes. The project includes a phased construction program and temporary facilities and provisions necessary to support ongoing airport operations during construction. http://www.mcallen.net/files/docs/bids/08-11-C30-190/BN%20MMIAP%20Terminal%20Expansion-revised.pdf"
Area Airports
Nearby commercial airports with passenger service include:- Valley International AirportValley International AirportValley International Airport is an airport located in northeast Harlingen, Texas, United States. The airport has three runways and is also known as Rio Grande Valley International Airport...
(HRL) - HarlingenHarlingen, TexasHarlingen is a city in Cameron County in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, United States, about from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The city covers more than , and is the second largest city in Cameron County and the sixth largest in the Rio Grande Valley...
(40 miles) - Brownsville/South Padre Island International AirportBrownsville/South Padre Island International Airport-Cargo:The airport is the largest air cargo handling airport in the Rio Grande Valley.Pan American Airways and World-Wide Consolidated Logistics, Inc. will open cargo service to Latin America in 2011. A TSA Certified Cargo Screening Facility is being established by World-Wide Consolidated...
(BRO) - BrownsvilleBrownsville, TexasBrownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
(63 miles)