โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Olive Branch Airport (OLV), also known as Taylor Field, is a primary general aviation reliever facility located in DeSoto County, Mississippi, approximately 30 minutes from downtown Memphis. The airport features a modern terminal building operated by Olive Branch Aviation, providing a central point of operations for private, corporate, and recreational flight crews. It is a key hub for aviation in the South, supporting a diverse range of flight activities.
The terminal infrastructure is designed with passenger and pilot comfort in mind, offering a spacious lobby, a dedicated conference room for business meetings, and full kitchen facilities for aircrews. Pilots have access to an updated crew lounge with a snooze room, a flight planning area equipped with real-time weather radar, and courtesy vehicles for local transport. A covered canopy at the terminal entrance facilitates convenient passenger drop-offs and pick-ups.
Operationally, the airport features a 6,000-foot asphalt runway (18/36) and an FAA-staffed Class D air traffic control tower with a direct radar link to Memphis International. Fuel services include full-service Jet A and 100LL Avgas, as well as a 24-hour self-service fueling station located on Taxiway Foxtrot. On-site rental car services are available through major agencies, and the field is home to several flight academies, including the Luke Weathers Flight Academy.
๐ Connection Tips
Olive Branch Airport is a Memphis-area general aviation field that thrives on business travel, charter movement, flight training, and the sort of local access that keeps Southaven and Olive Branch connected without crossing into a larger commercial airport. It sits close enough to the metro area to be useful while still feeling like a GA field rather than a terminal complex.
The airport's practical value is in how quickly it gets you from aircraft to car and into the eastern Mississippi / north Mississippi suburban corridor. If your destination is an office park, a hangar, or a meeting near Memphis, the airport is a straightforward way to stay out of the congestion of the major airport system. That means the connection should be planned around the road address, not around airport shopping or lounge time.
For pilots, the airport is also useful because it supports the kind of local general aviation traffic that benefits from straightforward runway access and a close-in location. The trip works best when the ground movement has already been decided and the airport is doing what it does best: being close. The airport's real advantage is that it drops you close enough to stay out of Memphis traffic.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Ambler Airport (ABL) is a remote, state-owned public-use airport located in the Native Alaskan village of Ambler, within the Northwest Arctic Borough. It serves as an indispensable lifeline for this isolated community, as there are no connecting roads. The airport's infrastructure is extremely basic, reflecting its role as a bush airport. There is no traditional terminal building; instead, operations are conducted from a small, heated shelter or a designated waiting area adjacent to the gravel runway. This single facility serves as the waiting lounge, check-in area, and baggage claim point.
The airport is equipped with two gravel runways, the longest measuring 3,000 feet, operating at an elevation of 334 feet above mean sea level. This design accommodates the small aircraft, typically Twin Otters or Cessnas, that are vital for connecting Ambler to larger regional hubs. Passengers should anticipate a highly informal process, with direct interactions with pilots and airline representatives from operators like Bering Air.
Amenities at Ambler Airport are exceptionally sparse. There are no cafes, restaurants, vending machines, or shops on-site. Travelers are strongly advised to bring all necessary provisions, including food, water, and personal supplies. Security procedures are minimal, consistent with bush flying operations in remote Alaska, focusing on adherence to general aviation safety guidelines.
๐ Connection Tips
Connections at Ambler Airport are exclusively through domestic bush flights, with Bering Air being the primary scheduled carrier. These flights are crucial for linking Ambler with the regional hub of Kotzebue (OTZ) and nearby villages like Shungnak (SHG) and Kobuk (OBU). Kotzebue's Ralph Wien Memorial Airport serves as the main gateway from which most flights to Ambler originate, providing essential connections to Anchorage via Alaska Airlines. Because there are no roads connecting this isolated part of the Northwest Arctic Borough to the rest of the state, these regional air links are the only way to transport supplies, personnel, and medical essentials to the community. Travelers should expect a highly personalized but informal experience, as flights often operate as multi-stop 'milk runs' across the Kobuk River valley.
Travel to and from Ambler is highly dependent on unpredictable Arctic weather conditions and available daylight hours. Flights are frequently subject to significant delays or total cancellations due to adverse weather patterns, including dense fog, heavy snow, or high winds, which are common throughout the year. It is crucial for all travelers to maintain flexible itineraries and to confirm their flight status directly with Bering Air or their charter operator before heading to the airstrip. Unlike major commercial airports, there are no inter-airline baggage transfer services here; all luggage is handled manually by the pilot and ground agents upon arrival and departure. Always prepare for the unexpected and carry essential items in your carry-on, as the challenging environment can lead to extended stays in regional hubs like Kotzebue.
Ground transportation in the village of Ambler is extremely limited and primarily relies on local community members or pre-arranged pickups from your lodging provider. There are no traditional taxi services, Uber, or rental cars readily available at the airport, which is located about 1.5 miles north of the village center. Most residents and visitors use ATVs (four-wheelers) during the summer and snow machines in the winter to navigate the gravel road between the airstrip and the community. Bering Air typically has a local agent who coordinates arrivals and can assist with logistics, but it is vital to have a clear plan for your ground transport well in advance of your touchdown to ensure you are not left stranded at the remote airfield.
Self-sufficiency is paramount when traveling to such an isolated destination, and coordination with local providers like the Kobuk River Lodge is highly recommended. This lodge is the primary provider for both accommodation and meals in Ambler and can often assist with arranging the necessary transport from the airport. During the summer months, travel between Ambler, Shungnak, and Kobuk can also be conducted via small boats on the Kobuk River, though this is a local arrangement and not part of any formal transit system. Having a thorough understanding of your ground logistics, including pre-booked lodging and a confirmed local contact for pickup, is as critical as your flight plan when navigating the unique challenges of the Alaskan bush.
โ Back to Olive Branch Airport