TUS August eNews

Frontier Announces Nonstop Service to Dallas-Fort Worth

Everything is bigger in Texas, and now your options to get to Dallas are even bigger than before. Starting October 9^th, fly twice weekly between TUS and Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW) on Frontier Airlines. With Frontier now flying this route, you’ll have three options to use: Frontier (DFW), American (DFW), and Southwest (Dallas Love Field). The best part? Frontier is offering fares as low as $49 one way to celebrate the new route! Book your next trip to Texas on flyfrontier.com or flytucson.com.

Seasonal Route Awareness

The airline industry is seemingly always in motion, whether it is new destinations, aircraft type, or flight times, TUS is excited to welcome back seasonal routes this fall/winter.

This season, Alaska Airlines will serve Portland on an increased frequency, offering two daily flights to Portland, OR (PDX).

TUS In Your Community

Being a strong community partner has always been in our DNA. Afterall, with a nearly $11 billion annual economic impact, TUS is truly the economic center of our region. In that spirit of partnership, the TAA has collaborated with Reid Park Zoo and the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums to create a new awareness campaign about wildlife trafficking. The illegal trade of animals and plants is a significant global issue, posing threats to biodiversity, livelihoods, and public health and all too often airports are at the center of this issue. Just as the TAA has partnered with the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Lightning Initiative to combat human trafficking, partnering with the Reid Park Zoo to combat wildlife trafficking is yet another partnership that shows our commitment in action to be a regional steward and stop these illegal activities.

Artist Spotlight: Melinda Tichenor

For nearly 40 years, TUS has made a commitment to showcase the incredible talent of artists throughout the Southwest. Today, TUS is home to well over one hundred unique art pieces, displayed throughout the terminal. Alongside our permanent collection, TUS features rotating exhibits of art. To celebrate the vast creativity of our community, we sat down with one of the talented artists featured in our current rotating exhibit.

Tell us about your creative background!

I found my love for landscape photography in the deserts of Southern Arizona. Ever since I was a young adult, photography has been my main creative outlet. I take my camera everywhere, whether I am out hiking, camping, or traveling. I see so much beauty in the mundane and have made it a goal to capture and share this beauty with everyone. In this exhibit, you will find that in the dryness of the Arizona desert, there is magic you won’t find anywhere else.

How does living and creating in Southern Arizona influence your work?

I’ve grown up in Arizona, and this collection shows some of my favorite spots. From a Gates Pass Sunrise to the deep greens of Greer, Arizona, this series shows just how unique Arizona is. Most of my photography is based in Arizona, so that is where I draw the majority of my inspiration, but it is not limited to that. When I am traveling, I always bring my camera with me.

Can you tell us the story behind the pieces you are exhibiting at TUS?

This series recognizes the stressors of life and battles everyone faces and asks the viewer to take a step away from their day-to-day reality to spend some time connecting with yourself. I believe strongly that doing something for yourself and your wellbeing is transformational - whether it be exercising, spending time in nature, listening to music, meditating, or whatever calms your mind down. Being grounded in nature reminds me that there is so much good, even in the darkest times.

Where can our readers find more of your work?

If you are interested in checking out more of my content, you can find me on Facebook at MT Photography. My prints are also found on my website here.

Featured Destination: The U.S. Virgin Islands

Located roughly 1,100 miles off the coast of Florida in the Caribbean Sea, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) offers amazing adventures for everyone who visits. With gorgeous resorts, beautiful beaches, awe inspiring nature, and a vibrant night life the USVI is a must-see destination! From jet skiing to off-roading or even ziplining, they seemingly have it all!  If you’re a nature lover there are countless opportunities to snorkel or dive with unique wildlife, and lots of trails to explore including those in Virgin Islands National Park! City, beach, ocean, and history tours are available for you to see anything and everything the island has to offer. For U.S. citizens, you don’t even need a passport! The USVI are just one connection away from TUS and the newest destination in the Southwest Airlines route network.

“Tucson Reverie: A Vivid Tribute” Sister Piece

The sister piece of, “Tucson Reverie: A Vivid Tribute” by Victor Navarro has been completed and is ready to welcome you to TUS! The new piece can be seen walking from the parking garage on the opposite side of his first work. Make sure to take a look the next time you're at your local airport!

Fun Aviation Factoids | Why do Airports have 3-Letter Location Identifiers?

The FAA uses three-letter identifiers, known as FAA Location Identifiers (LIDs), for most airports in the United States, particularly for those with scheduled commercial service, a staffed air traffic control facility, or designated as Airports of Entry. These identifiers are used for various purposes, including flight planning, airline timetables, airline reservations, and baggage handling systems to name a few. While the FAA assigns these codes, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) also uses the same three-letter codes for their systems. These codes are often called IATA airport codes. 

The Orlando International Airport identifier code is MCO and is derived from the former McCoy Air Force Base. MCO is the largest and busiest airport in Florida, serving millions of travelers each year.

The Kahului Airport identifier is OGG because it is named after Jim Hogg, a former Hawaiian Airlines pilot who became the Chief Pilot for the airline in 1946. It was decided to assign the code OGG, after Jim Hogg for his contributions, instead of HOG.  OGG is on the island of Maui.

The former U.S. Army Training Facility, Hammer Field, was transitioned to a civilian purpose in 1948. The new identifier code, FAT, was assigned when the Fresno Air Terminal opened to passenger flights. FAT continues to support the military; an Air National Guard Unit is stationed there.

Plane Spotting at TUS

The Rolls-Royce Flying Test Bed from the perspective of a firetruck as it receives a farewell from TUS. Watch the farewell here.