Water Pressure Issues Force Closure Of Memphis International Airport Passenger Terminal

From the Memphis International Airport:

February 19, 2021

MEM Status Update 2-19-21: 12 pm

• - The airport remains closed at this time to passenger arrivals and departures. Cargo is not impacted by the water pressure issue at the passenger terminal, because the cargo companies utilize their own facilities.
• - We do not expect that MLGW will be able to repair the water service today, but they have assured us that they are continuing to work to restore water pressure. MEM also continues to explore various short-term options that would allow for the opening of restrooms and the passenger terminal flight operations.
• - Low water pressure is a significant problem for the airport because it prohibits the provision of adequate bathroom operations. The past couple of days, MEM experienced fluctuating water pressure from MLGW, but overnight it dropped below 20 PSI, which is too low to sustain bathroom operations and other functions. For a public facility that literally serves thousands of people a day, it is critical for the airport to have operable restrooms. Water pressure is also needed for boiler operations, cleaning and maintenance, and service for restaurants and other tenants.
• - During our winter operations, our runways remained open and both passenger and cargo flights continued to arrive and depart. During winter weather events, even if an airport is open, an airline may still opt to cancel flights based on their schedule and networking plan. Essentially, the airport provides its status, and the airlines adjust their schedules accordingly. The airport does not dictate or control individual airline schedules and is not a part of the ticketing process between the airline and passenger.
• - After the decision to close the airport today, MEM notified the airlines and at that point the airlines determined how and when to adjust their schedules. For this reason, we ask passengers to continue to check with their airlines throughout the day.
• - We understand that it has been a frustrating week for passenger travel and apologize to our passengers for this inconvenience, but we cannot operate the airport without a safe and dependable water supply and functioning restrooms. The resolution of this water pressure situation is dependent upon repairs made by MLGW to its system. We will update the airlines and the public as soon as we have more clarity on reopening.

Despite the terminal closure, rental car companies are open:

• Alamo – counter open till 7pm
• Avis – counter open till 11pm
• Budget – counter open till 7pm
• Dollar – counter open till 10pm
• Enterprise – counter open till 7pm
• Hertz – counter open till 11pm
• National – counter open till 7pm
• Payless – counter open till 11pm
• Thrifty – counter open till 10pm

All rental car companies have key drop boxes for 24-hour vehicle returns.

MEMPHIS, TENN. (February 19, 2021) – Ongoing system-wide water pressure issues by Memphis Light, Gas and Water have forced the temporary closure of the Memphis International Airport (MEM) passenger terminal. The airport has experienced low pressure periodically this week, but levels dropped Thursday night to the point that passenger operations were no longer feasible. As a result, the airport is closed to incoming and outgoing passenger flights on Friday, Feb 19. Cargo operations remain unaffected.

The terminal will remain closed until water pressure has been restored to acceptable operational levels. MEM officials continue to discuss potential solutions and alternatives and remain in contact with MLGW on the progress of repairs. The airport requires a significant water supply for restrooms, operations, food and beverage, and the airlines.

“This is a last resort for MEM,” said Scott Brockman, President and CEO of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. “A passenger airport cannot function without a safe and dependable water supply, which we do not have at this time. Our staff is committed to providing a safe, sanitary and secure operation. We hope that MLGW is able to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

This press release was produced by the Memphis International Airport. The views expressed are the author's own.