TUS September eNews

Summer Monsoon at TUS

Summer monsoon season has arrived; while the rain is always a welcome addition to our desert home, it presents a unique operational challenge at Tucson International Airport (TUS). Being so close to other commercial service airports in the region, TUS must be prepared for the often-unpredictable summer weather and ready to manage an influx of diverted flights at a moment’s notice. In fact, the FAA requires all airports to have and regularly exercise an Irregular Operations Plan (IROPS). While some airports use tabletop exercises to satisfy the FAA IROPS requirements, we can hone our skills as we prepare for and experience actual events. We take pride in how our teams collaborate to prepare each year for monsoon season to ensure a seamless experience for airline stakeholders and customers, even those who may have never expected to be passing through TUS.

University of Arizona is Back in Session

As another school year begins, TUS is proud to be a partner of the University of Arizona. Our airport takes great pride in being the airport of choice for their students, staff, and families. TUS is the easy choice when college life calls for travel, after all, we are only 8 miles apart. Not only has TUS taken strategic efforts to enact physical and digital marketing efforts, representatives of the Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) have been on campus to create awareness about TUS to new students while working on getting them connected to our social media channels and providing easy transportation options between the campus and TUS.

Destination Spotlight: Copenhagen

Fly into 10 centuries of history with just one stop along your way to the gorgeous city of Copenhagen! The capital city of Denmark was first established in the 11^th century; it has retained much of its history as it evolved into what Copenhagen has become today. Vast expanses of water weave themselves amongst the city, heralding back to its origins as a fishing town. Now a thriving Nordic city, Copenhagen offers numerous parks, promenades, and waterfronts for its travelers to enjoy. Iconic landmarks like the Amalienborg, The Little Mermaid statue (not that Little Mermaid), and Rosenborg Castle means there is no shortage of incredible sights in this vibrant city. If you have extra time during your travels, you’re only a short train ride on the second longest bridge in Europe, The Øresund Bridge, to Sweden!

TUS connects the world, with access to over 450 destinations worldwide with a single stop, start your next journey with ease at TUS!

Artist Spotlight: Loretta Rieth

Loretta Rieth embarked on her artistic journey from a young age, first introduced to the world of art in the fifth grade in Santa Barbara, CA. Her artistic path began when a local artist opened her garage to teach young aspiring artists how to paint using oils. As she continued her creative journey, Loretta explored computer-based artistic expression and went on to earn a Certificate in Graphic Design from OTIS College of Art and Design in Los Angeles in 2015.

In 2021, Loretta made a significant move from Redondo Beach, CA, to Oro Valley, AZ, where she discovered new artistic inspiration in the Sonoran Desert landscape. Embracing this fresh chapter in her life, Loretta finds joy and fulfillment in dedicating her time and energy to her art, feeling a profound sense of purpose in her artistry.

Through her vibrant and evocative creations, Loretta invites viewers to immerse themselves in the essence of the southwest through her unique artistic perspective, encapsulating the beauty of sunrise and sunset vistas, diverse plant life, dramatic skies, and serene desert scenes. The pieces exhibited at TUS represent a variety of Sonoran and Tucson desert scenes, and the human figure, a new study Loretta Rieth began in 2025.   

You can find more of her work at below.

New Carpet Has Arrived!

Next time you fly TUS, make sure to check out our new look! Stay tuned for the dark blue chairs on the way!

Double the Chance to See Portland!

Starting on October 4, 2025, our seasonal route to Portland, Oregon resumes on Alaska Airlines. Due to extraordinary demand for this flight, Alaska now offers it twice daily for even more easy nonstop travel options from TUS. Get your tickets at flytucson.com or alaskaair.com.

Busting the Myth: TUS is Way More Expensive than PHX

Many assume that flying TUS is always more expensive than driving to Phoenix. While all airports have varying prices for the same destination, TUS averages just $40 more than PHX. While it may cost more sometimes to fly out of Tucson, the total cost of your trip is more than just airfare. Don’t deal with the hassle of driving in Phoenix traffic, gas prices, paying double for parking, and dreading the drive back home after an amazing trip. Check out flytucson.com first and fly local, fly TUS. When you choose to fly TUS, you are helping us gain critical data to ensure future air service growth.

Plane Spotting at TUS

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 (twin-jet) with an orca livery departing TUS