TUNICA, Mississippi   The first and second phases of Tunica's airport expansion project are complete, giving visitors access to "The South's Casino Capital" via corporate jet, regional aircraft, and larger aircraft airlines.

"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, which included a 5,500-foot runway and parallel taxiway, a general and corporate aviation ramp, and 10,000-square-foot Air Center, the Tunica Airport was on the move to land larger planes.  With the expansion of Phase 2, the extension of the runway and parallel taxiway extension (out to 7,000 feet) and addition of new instrument landing capabilities, the Tunica Airport is now capable of supporting narrow-body commercial charter operations.

The approximate cost of the expansion project totaled $39 million and, to date, is the largest single project ever funded by the Federal Aviation Administration in Mississippi.  Tunica's runway is 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).

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.