Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerCharlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority
ServesCharlottesville, Virginia
LocationAlbemarle County, VA
Elevation AMSL640 ft / 195 m
Coordinates38°08′19″N 078°27′10″W / 38.13861°N 78.45278°W / 38.13861; -78.45278
Websitewww.GoCHO.com
Map
CHO is located in Virginia
CHO
CHO
CHO is located in the United States
CHO
CHO
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
3/21 6,801 2,073 Asphalt
Statistics (12 months ending October 2021 except where noted)
Passenger volume374,000
Departing passengers187,000
Scheduled flights4,490
Aircraft operations (2020)90,555
Based aircraft (2021)56
Source: Federal Aviation Administration, BTS, Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (IATA: CHO, ICAO: KCHO, FAA LID: CHO) is an airport eight miles north of Charlottesville, in Albemarle County, Virginia, United States. It opened in 1955 and serves the Charlottesville/Albemarle region with non-stop flights to five major cities on three airlines' subsidiaries. CHO underwent major construction in summer 2006; an 800-foot runway extension began in summer 2010 and was completed in December 2012.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021–2025 categorized it as a non-hub primary commercial service facility. Federal Aviation Administration records say it had 274,767 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2015 and 295,930 in 2016. The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority says there were 628,611 total passengers (enplaned and deplaned) in fiscal year 2017.

Piedmont Airlines DC-3s arrived in 1955; the first jets were Piedmont 727s in 1967 (the runway was extended from 4661 ft to 6000 ft at about that time).

As of September 2023, the airport was served by ERJ-145, E170, E175, CRJ-200, CRJ-700, CRJ-900, and B717-200 aircraft.

Facilities

The airport covers 710 acres (287 ha) at an elevation of 640 feet (195 m). Its single runway, 3/21, is 6,801 by 150 feet (2,073 m × 46 m) long.

The airport has a 60,000 sq ft (6,000 m2) terminal with on-site rental cars (Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Hertz, & National), ground transportation.

Food Service is available through Tailwind Concessions under the brands Turbo Grill, Radar Bar, and Copilot Coffee. There is a gift shop selling grab and go food and local gifts on the second level at Gate 5.

General aviation facilities include an executive terminal offering a full-service by the fixed-base operator, Signature Flight Support, flight schools, emergency medical transportation provided by the UVA Hospital's Pegasus service and aircraft charter firms.

In 2019 the airport opened "The Founders Lounge", which is a quiet lounge area at gate 5. Access is available to anyone who purchases a day pass for a nominal fee. It features comfortable seating, conference room, tables, and decor from local artists and craftsman showcasing the Charlottesville area. Complimentary beverages and snacks are also included.

In 2020 the airport had 90,555 aircraft operations, average 248 per day: 67% general aviation, 19% air taxi, 11% military, and 3% airline. In January 2022, 56 aircraft were based at this airport: 40 single-engine, 8 multi-engine, 6 jet, 1 helicopter, and 1 ultralight.

In 2022, 2 new elevator banks were opened in the Long-term parking lot to replace the older elevator to improve ADA compliance.

In 2023, the airport completed an upgrade of their airfield lighting which switched to all LED lighting. This will help to reduce maintenance, improve visibility, and reduce electric costs. Following the return of flights to Chicago–O'Hare in August, it was announced that the airport intends to construct a new terminal and parking garage by the end of the decade.

Airlines and destinations

American Eagle E170 arriving from LGA

Passenger

AirlinesDestinationsRefs
American Eagle Charlotte, New York–LaGuardia, Philadelphia (ends December 4, 2023)
Delta Air Lines Atlanta
Delta Connection Atlanta, New York–LaGuardia
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Washington–Dulles

Statistics

Top routes

Busiest domestic routes from Charlottesville
(December 2021 - November 2022)
Rank City Passengers Top carriers
1 North Carolina Charlotte, North Carolina 101,570 American
2 Georgia (U.S. state) Atlanta, Georgia 59,160 Delta
3 New York (state) New York–LaGuardia, New York 58,980 American
4 Virginia Washington–Dulles, Virginia 29,810 United
5 Illinois Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 10,690 American, United
6 Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 700 American

Carrier shares

Carrier shares (December 2021 - November 2022)
Carrier Passengers (arriving and departing)
Endeavor
164,000(31.77%)
Piedmont
148,000(28.50)
Air Wisconsin
65,730(12.70%)
Republic
50,220(9.70%)
PSA
48,690(9.41%)

Other

List of former airlines and routes at CHO
Airline Destination IATA From To Fate
Avelo Airlines Orlando MCO May 3, 2023 September 4, 2023 Low demand
United Express Chicago–O'Hare ORD June 8, 2017 June, 2022 COVID-19 (resumed August 2, 2023)
American Eagle Philadelphia PHL November, 2021 COVID-19 (resumed April 4, 2023)
American Eagle Chicago–O'Hare ORD June 9, 2011 April 5, 2021 COVID-19
US Airways Express Philadelphia PHL October 19, 2015 Merger (American) (continued as American Eagle)
US Airways Express Charlotte CLT October 19, 2015 Merger (American) (continued as American Eagle)
Allegiant Orlando–Sanford SFB November 21, 2013 February 23, 2014 Low demand
US Airways Express New York–LaGuardia LGA 2012 Unknown
Northwest Airlink Detroit DTW 2010 Merger (Delta) (permanently ended)
Delta Connection Cincinnati CVG 2009 Low demand
Piedmont Airlines Washington–Reagan DCA Merger (USAir) (fate unknown)
Piedmont Airlines Washington–Dulles IAD Merger (USAir) (fate unknown)
Piedmont Airlines Lynchburg LYH Merger (USAir) (fate unknown)
Piedmont Airlines Staunton/Harrisonburg SHD Merger (USAir) (fate unknown)

Accidents and incidents

  • Piedmont Airlines Flight 349 crashed on October 30, 1959 into Bucks Elbow Mountain while attempting to land at this airport, killing 26 of 27 people on board.

The White Oak

The White Oak Tree at CHO Airport

The tree is the second largest white oak in Virginia, standing 75 feet tall with an 85-foot crown. It is located on the southernmost point of airport property along the approach to Runway 3. It is believed to be between 250 and 300 years old. It is included in Virginia Tech's Virginia Big Tree Database and also the Remarkable Trees of Virginia Program.

Access to the tree is restricted as it is in a secure section of the airport, but visits can be scheduled on the airport's website.


This page was last updated at 2023-10-29 23:39 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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