Tucson International Airport

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Continent: North America Country: United States Region: Arizona
Tucson International Airport
Location Tucson, Arizona
IATA code KTUS
ICAO code TUS
Airport type Commercial
Website http://www.tucsonairport.org/
Overview map Google Maps
Communications
Tower
Ground
Clearance
Approach
ATIS
Plane Spotting Hotels guide

Tucson International Airport (TUS/KTUS) is a medium-sized airport with 3 runways. The airport is oriented from southeast to northwest along the two main runways 11L/R and 29R/L. A cross runway, 21/3, is located at the northern end of the airport, and is used mainly by GA and bizjets, occasionally by airliners if the winds are strong out of the southwest. The terminal is located midfield along the northeast side, and most of the GA, maintenance, and military facilites are clustered around the northwest end. The airport is quite a distance away from the center of the city, but there are a number of good-quality motels and a few name-brand restaurants nearby.

TUS is located 4 miles south of Interstate Highway 10 and 4 miles east of Interstate Highway 19. If driving from Phoenix, stay on Interstate 10 and take exit 263A - Kino Pkwy South, then follow signs for the airport. The airport entrance is at Tucson Blvd. and Valencia Road, and that is the point of reference for the following spotting descriptions.


Official Spotting Locations

Location

Other Spotting Locations

Flightline Drive

To the right of the main terminal is the Control Tower and Exceutive Terminal. A loop road (turn to the right) overlooks the main runways. All movements can be logged from here and photography is possible although it faces South, making mornings and evenings the best times.

West Apron

Leave the terminal heading West on Valencia Road then turn left 1/4 mile at the stop light. (NB Not the entrance to the ANG base). This is Park Avenue which goes round under the approach to the West Apron. Do not park between the signs on Park. Passing the stored airliners, a left turn leads to the apron which gives views of the runways, the main one being a bit distant. All movements can be seen from here and there are limited photographic opportunities with the sun at your back.

Main Terminal

On the departures level there is a small food court which overlooks the runways.

Locations to Avoid

Location

Regular Traffic

Commercial Traffic & Plane Type

  • Alaska Airlines
    • 737-900
  • Allegiant Air
    • A320
  • American Airlines/American Eagle
    • CRJ-200 (operated by SkyWest)
    • ERJ-170 (operated by SkyWest)
    • 737-800
    • A319
    • A320
  • Delta Air Lines
    • CRJ-900
    • MD-90
  • Southwest Airlines
    • 737-700
  • United Airlines/United Express
    • CRJ-200 (operated by SkyWest)
    • CRJ-900 (operated by SkyWest)

Facilities and Transportation