John C. Tune Airport Cuts Ribbon on Restoration Efforts

TN – Members of the John C. Tune family and civic officials celebrated a milestone in the reconstruction of 78 hangars, a new air traffic control tower, and other renovations at John C. Tune Airport (JWN) in Nashville, Tennessee, following the destruction caused by a tornado on March 3, 2020. Airport administrators, the mayor of Nashville, and others were on hand to mark the reopening of facilities that were utterly destroyed by the twister. Officials noted that airplanes were piled up 50 feet high with tails sticking out of the rubble and that the airport was essentially destroyed.

With the airport generating more than $100 million annually, rebuilding was a top priority. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority drew up a master plan to redevelop and expand the airport facilities, including 100 hangars and the tower, along with other elements. The cost of reconstruction currently stands at about $38 million including insurance proceeds which are still under negotiation. Future projects include expansion of the apron area, additional aircraft parking, a new maintenance facility, and an administration building, all scheduled to be completed by January 2023. Tune Airport is the busiest general aviation airport in Tennessee with about 8,000 operations per month. It generates $200 million in annual economic impact for Nashville and supports nearly 700 jobs.