The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) was established in 1978 as a nonprofit agency to own and operate the city's aviation system, McGhee Tyson Airport, located in Alcoa, Tenn., and Downtown Island Airport, located in Knoxville, Tenn.  Being centrally located within a one day's drive or a few hours flight from major cities, MKAA continues to be integral to the air transportation system and is one of the most convenient and accessible regional airports in the nation.