The mission of the Aeronautics Division is to provide Tennessee with a quality, integrated aviation system that is safe, efficient, economical, and sensitive to environmental concerns. In fulfilling this commitment, the division actively serves the needs of local communities while providing state government with safe, professional, and courteous flight services in an efficient, comfortable manner.John-Paul ("J.P.") Saalwaechter, P.E.
Director of Aeronautics
John.Saalwaechter@tn.gov
615-741-0780
Aeronautics Office
7335 Centennial Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37209
615-741-3208
What We Do
The TDOT Aeronautics Division supports, promotes, and delivers services that enhance a sustainable, efficient, and safe air transportation system in Tennessee. The division provides financial and technical assistance to publicly owned airport operators for the planning, development, promotion, construction, and operation of public-use airports statewide. Specialized engineering and planning services include aviation planning studies, environmental planning and compliance assistance, airport geographic information system studies, and project design consultation.
Additionally, the division administers and programs state and federal funding for Airport Capital Improvement Plan projects in accordance with applicable regulatory standards, conducts annual airport safety and maintenance inspections, maintains the statewide airport system plan, promotes aviation education, and provides flight services to all branches of state government.
Quick Facts
Tennessee’s 76 public-use airports, including 5 air carrier airports and 71 General Aviation airports, serve as critical components of the state and national transportation networks. The system connects communities to regional, national, and global markets and supports more than 34 million annual passengers, 11 million tons of cargo in CY2024, and more than 1.4 million annual General Aviation operations.
Tennessee remains a major aviation and logistics gateway through assets such as Nashville International Airport, now an FAA large-hub airport, and the FedEx World Hub at Memphis International Airport, one of the nation’s leading cargo airports. As of the latest available preliminary data, BNA ranked 25th nationally in CY2025 enplanements, while Memphis ranked #2 among U.S. all-cargo airports by landed weight and #6 globally by cargo tonnage in ACI’s preliminary 2025 ranking.
The most recent TDOT statewide aviation economic-impact study, based on CY2019 data, found that Tennessee’s aviation system generated $40 billion in total economic activity, supported 220,936 jobs, produced $13 billion in payroll, and generated approximately $1.11 billion in state and local tax revenues. A statewide economic-impact update is currently in progress. A newer CY2024 study of Tennessee’s five primary commercial service airports found that those airports generated $28.3 billion in total economic impact, supported more than 171,000 jobs, and produced $4.1 billion in federal, state, and local taxes.