Generated by DeepSeek V3.2| Charlottesville Albemarle Airport | |
|---|---|
| Name | Charlottesville Albemarle Airport |
| IATA | CHO |
| ICAO | KCHO |
| FAA | CHO |
| Owner | Albemarle County |
| Operator | Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority |
| City-served | Charlottesville, Virginia |
| Location | Albemarle County, Virginia |
| Elevation-f | 639 |
| Elevation-m | 195 |
| Coordinates | 38, 08, 19, N... |
| Website | http://www.gocho.com |
| R1-number | 3/21 |
| R1-length-f | 6001 |
| R1-length-m | 1829 |
| R1-surface | Asphalt |
| R2-number | 12/30 |
| R2-length-f | 3601 |
| R2-length-m | 1098 |
| R2-surface | Asphalt |
| Stat-year | 2023 |
| Stat1-header | Aircraft operations |
| Stat1-data | 50,000 |
| Stat2-header | Based aircraft |
| Stat2-data | 78 |
| Footnotes | Source: Federal Aviation Administration |
Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is a public airport located in Albemarle County, Virginia, serving the city of Charlottesville, Virginia and the surrounding region. Owned by Albemarle County and operated by the Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority, it functions as a vital transportation hub for central Virginia. The facility offers scheduled passenger service, general aviation, and corporate flight operations, connecting the area to major hubs across the Eastern United States.
The origins of the airport date to 1955 when it was constructed to replace the smaller Charlottesville Municipal Airport. The facility was dedicated by then-Senator John F. Kennedy in 1959. Significant expansion occurred in the 1980s, including the construction of a new terminal building designed by the noted architectural firm William H. Short and Associates. Throughout its history, it has been served by various carriers, including Piedmont Airlines, US Airways, and United Express, adapting to the evolving landscape of the United States airline industry.
The airport covers 1,160 acres (470 ha) at an elevation of 639 feet (195 m) above mean sea level. It features two asphalt runways: Runway 3/21, measuring 6,001 by 150 feet (1,829 x 46 m), and Runway 12/30, measuring 3,601 by 100 feet (1,098 x 30 m). The passenger terminal, renovated and expanded in 2015, contains five gates, a United Club lounge, and concessions. The airport is also home to a Federal Aviation Administration control tower and supports a variety of based aircraft, with facilities for general aviation managed by Atlantic Aviation.
The airport is primarily served by regional affiliates of major carriers, providing non-stop flights to key domestic hubs. As of 2024, scheduled passenger service is operated by American Eagle to Charlotte and Dallas/Fort Worth, by Delta Connection to Atlanta and Detroit, and by United Express to Washington-Dulles and Chicago-O'Hare. Seasonal service has historically been offered to destinations like Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.
In 2023, the airport handled approximately 400,000 passengers, making it one of the busiest commercial airports in Virginia outside of the Washington metropolitan area. Aircraft operations averaged about 50,000 per year, with 78 aircraft based at the field. The top domestic destinations by passenger volume have consistently included Charlotte, Atlanta, and Washington-Dulles. Cargo carriers such as FedEx Express and UPS Airlines also utilize the facility for regional freight operations.
On February 2, 1988, a Beechcraft King Air operated by Northeastern International Airways crashed during a night approach in icing conditions, resulting in one fatality. A notable incident occurred on December 23, 2003, when a United Express flight operated by Air Wisconsin overran the runway after landing; there were no serious injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board has investigated several general aviation accidents in the vicinity, often citing factors like pilot error and adverse weather.
The airport is accessible via Virginia State Route 20 and is approximately 10 miles north of downtown Charlottesville, Virginia. Ground transportation options include rental car services from companies like Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, taxis, and ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Public bus service is provided by the Charlottesville Area Transit system on its Route 11, connecting the terminal to the Downtown Mall and the University of Virginia.
Category:Airports in Virginia Category:Transportation in Albemarle County, Virginia Category:Buildings and structures in Charlottesville, Virginia