Nashville, Tennessee, often called Music City, serves as a major hub for both culture and commerce. Understanding the aviation infrastructure here requires looking at how many airports in Nashville actually exist and how they function. While the question seems simple, the answer reveals a network designed to handle everything from massive international connections to private charters.
BNA: The Primary Commercial Gateway
When people ask how many airports in Nashville are relevant for commercial travel, the answer is primarily one: Nashville International Airport (BNA). This is the city's main aviation hub and the only airport handling significant passenger volume for the general public. Located about six miles southeast of downtown, BNA has experienced explosive growth, consistently ranking among the fastest-growing airports in the United States. It features two parallel runways and a modern terminal that efficiently moves millions of travelers through its gates every year.
Terminals and Airlines
BNA operates with a single, unified terminal building that is split into two distinct wings. The South Terminal handles domestic carriers, while the North Terminal is dedicated to international flights and a few select domestic providers. This design helps streamline security and customs processing for the growing number of international visitors drawn to the city's food, music, and business sectors. The airport hosts a robust mix of legacy carriers, low-cost airlines, and regional partners, ensuring connectivity to major hubs across the continent.
Secondary and General Aviation Airports
So, are there other airports in Nashville besides BNA? Yes, but their roles are fundamentally different. Metropolitan Airport (MQY) is located in Smyrna, roughly 25 miles southeast of downtown Nashville. This facility functions primarily as a reliever airport for BNA and is a key center for general aviation, flight training, and aircraft maintenance. It supports a large fixed-base operator (FBO) and features a longer runway capable of handling corporate jets and turboprop aircraft comfortably.
For private aviation and executive travel, the region relies on smaller facilities that are not typically used for commercial passenger service. These include airports in nearby counties that serve the wealthy suburbs and business districts. While they might not factor into the average tourist's itinerary, they are vital for the city's corporate structure, allowing executives to travel quickly and privately. The existence of these facilities completes the picture of how the local airspace handles varying demands.
Counting the Airports
To directly answer the initial question: there is one major public airport, Nashville International (BNA), that serves commercial passengers. Adding to the total, there are at least three other significant airfields within the greater Nashville metropolitan area used for general aviation and secondary commercial purposes. This includes the Smyrna airport and smaller facilities catering to specific private needs. The exact number can vary depending on whether one counts only paved runways or includes helipads and grass strips used by hobbyists.
