TUS April eNews

Thank You for Supporting the TSA

We are incredibly fortunate at Tucson International Airport (TUS) that the TSA came to work in high numbers and supported the operation with minimal impact during the latest partial government shutdown. The Tucson Airport Authority (TAA), hospitality industry partners, and our entire Southern Arizona community joined forces to provide large donations of food, household items, pet food, and gift cards to support the TSA and CBP. We thank our employees, TAA Board and Members, business partners, tourism partners, and Southern Arizona community for their incredible outpouring of support. Because of your donations, we were able to maintain as business-as-usual posture during the latest shutdown.

TAA Lands Nonstop Flight to Indianapolis for Final Four

TAA worked closely with airline partners over the past months as excitement was building around the University of Arizona’s basketball team. As the team continued to excel in the tournament and reached the Final Four, Southwest Airlines quickly added a temporary nonstop flight to Indianapolis to help meet the travel needs of our U of A fans! The TAA and University of Arizona continue to evolve our already robust partnership to find ways that not only support students, but also their athletics fan base, too. Click the link to read the TAA press release about the Final Four festivities at TUS.

Danette Bewley and TAA Members Recognized as Women Visionaries in Tucson Lifestyle

Danette Bewley, Alison Flynn-Gaffney, and Keri Silvyn were recognized this year in Tucson Lifestyle as “Women Visionaries of 2026” for their dedication to service. Click the link to read more about this recognition.

How Do You Change Your IATA Code?

The short answer, you don’t. The long answer, there has to be a really good reason. When an airport opens, an IATA (International Air Transport Association) and an ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) code as their unique identifier. This almost never changes in part to reduce confusion for passengers, airlines, and pilots, once you learn something it’s hard to unlearn!

Sometimes, though, a code can lead to precarious situations. For example, if one code is too similar to another nearby airport, it can create confusion. This happened in 1984 when Washington Dulles International Airport changed its code after 22 years of operation. Their original code, DIA, was changed to IAD to avoid confusion with the nearby airport Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Fun fact: Since becoming an international airport, TUS has always been the 3-letter identifier for Tucson International Airport. TIA is the 3-letter identifier for Nene Tereza International Airport in Tirana, Albania

Plane Spotting at TUS

Final Four Fan Sendoff!