Chris Woods News

Command and control: FedEx renovating airport tower

Posted by | January 21 2017

This article originally appeared in the Commercial Appeal

Command and control: FedEx renovating airport tower

The control tower at FedEx Express’ world hub at Memphis International Airport is undergoing a $2.8 million renovation.

Chris Woods Construction Inc. pulled a permit for the work Wednesday, according to the Memphis-Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement.

FedEx spokesman Jim Masilak said, “Renovations to our Memphis Hub control tower are under way and scheduled to be completed in August. The project includes equipment upgrades and improvements to the observation deck and work areas.”

The world hub is the nerve center of FedEx’s worldwide express airline.

Personnel in the FedEx tower pick up where Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers leave off when planes are on the ground. The FedEx controllers direct planes as they taxi to or from the ramp, the vast aircraft parking area surrounding sorting facilities.

The Memphis hub handles about 250 flights a day, the bulk of them between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.