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FedEx at 50: Memphis International’s airfield never closes — that’s by design

By , Daily Memphian Updated: June 22, 2025 2:37 PM CT | Published: April 12, 2023 4:00 AM CT

In February, when rain and freezing temperatures layered trees and buildings in ice, more than 70 daytime airfield employees spent three nights at the airport — working and sleeping in shifts to keep the runways open.

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Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority Scott Brockman Jack Sammons Bob Wilson Subscriber Only

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Jane Roberts

Jane Roberts

Jane Roberts has reported in Memphis for more than 20 years. As a senior member of The Daily Memphian staff, she was assigned to the medical beat during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also has done in-depth work on other medical issues facing our community, including shortages of specialists in local hospitals. She covered K-12 education here for years and later the region’s transportation sector, including Memphis International Airport and FedEx Corp.


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