Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport

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 [4] on three airlines' subsidiaries.[5] CHO underwent major construction in summer 2006; an 800-foot runway extension began in summer 2010 and was completed in December 2012.[6][7][8]

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
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,[1] BTS,[2] Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority[3]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021–2025 categorized it as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.[9] Federal Aviation Administration records say it had 274,767 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2015 and 295,930 in 2016.[10] The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority says there were 628,611 total passengers (enplaned and deplaned) in fiscal year 2017.[11]

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.[1][12]

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[13] 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.[1]

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.[14] 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.[15]

Airlines and destinations
American Eagle E170 arriving from LGA

Passenger
AirlinesDestinationsRefs
American Eagle Charlotte, New York–LaGuardia, Philadelphia (ends December 4, 2023)[16] [17]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta [18]
Delta Connection Atlanta, New York–LaGuardia [18]
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Washington–Dulles [19]

Statistics

Top routes
Busiest domestic routes from Charlottesville
(December 2021 - November 2022)[2]
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)[2]
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 [20] September 4, 2023 [21] Low demand
United Express Chicago–O'Hare ORD June 8, 2017 [22] June, 2022 [23] COVID-19 (resumed August 2, 2023)
American Eagle Philadelphia PHL November, 2021 [24] COVID-19 (resumed April 4, 2023)
American Eagle Chicago–O'Hare ORD June 9, 2011 [25] April 5, 2021 [26] COVID-19
US Airways Express Philadelphia PHL October 19, 2015 [27] Merger (American) (continued as American Eagle)
US Airways Express Charlotte CLT October 19, 2015[27] Merger (American) (continued as American Eagle)
Allegiant Orlando–Sanford SFB November 21, 2013 [28] February 23, 2014 [29] Low demand
US Airways Express New York–LaGuardia LGA 2012 Unknown
Northwest Airlink Detroit DTW 2010 [30] Merger (Delta) (permanently ended)
Delta Connection Cincinnati CVG 2009 [30] Low demand
Piedmont Airlines[31] 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.

References
  1. FAA Airport Form 5010 for CHO PDF, effective January 27, 2022.
  2. "Charlottesville (CHO) Summary Statistics". Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  3. "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 2017" (PDF). January 11, 2018.
  4. "Routes & Stops - CHO". CHO Official Website. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  5. "Airlines CHO". CHO Official Website. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  6. Sharon C. Fitzgerald (July 14, 2010). "Airport runway expansion taking off". The Daily Progress. Archived from the original on July 20, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  7. "FAA Shutdown Could Affect CHO Airport Runway Construction". NBC29.com. August 4, 2011. Archived from the original on March 6, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  8. Nate Delesline III (December 21, 2012). "Local airport completes runway extension, sees record traffic". The Daily Progress. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  9. "NPIAS Report 2021-2025 Appendix A" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. September 30, 2020. p. 105. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-10-21. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  10. "Enplanements for CY 2016" (PDF). Commercial Service Airports (Rank Order) based on Calendar Year 2016 Enplanements. Federal Aviation Administration. October 10, 2017.
  11. "Operating Statistics FY 2018" (PDF). Operating Statistics-Fiscal Year 2018. Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority. November 30, 2017.
  12. "CHO airport at skyvector.com". Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  13. "About Pegasus". Pegasus website. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
  14. "CHO Receives Two Grants". CBS News. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  15. "Chicago flights return to Charlottesville airport". Daily Progress. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  16. "American Airlines NW23 Domestic Routes Removal Summary – 17SEP23". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  17. "Flight schedules and notifications". Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  18. "Delta Route Map". Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  19. "United Route Map". Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  20. "Hello, Avelo! Avelo Airlines Takes Off with Exclusive Nonstop Service to Orlando from Charlottesville". Avelo Airlines. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  21. "Avelo ending service at CHO". NBC29. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  22. "List: United announces four new cities, 22 non-stop routes". USA Today. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  23. "United Airlines is cutting more regional routes". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  24. "Charlottesville airport traffic increases, despite loss of Chicago flights". Roanoke Times. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  25. "American Eagle Airlines Announces Jet Service From Chicago O'Hare to Charlottesville, Va". American Airlines. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  26. "American Airlines is dropping 27 routes, with New York taking the biggest hit — see the full list". Business Insider. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  27. "US Airways has made its final flight before becoming American Airlines". Business Insider. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  28. "Allegiant Celebrates New Nonstop Service between Charlottesville and Orlando". Allegiant Airlines. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  29. "Allegiant 'surprises,' exits two college towns". USA Today. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  30. "A Mountain Between Them: The Airports of Charlottesville and Staunton, Virginia". Airline Geeks. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  31. "Piedmont Airlines Route Map". Old World Auctions. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
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