Norfolk International Airport
{{short description|Airport in Norfolk, Virginia}}
{{Redirect|Norfolk Airport|airports in the English county of Norfolk|List of Norfolk airfields|the airport in Massachusetts|Henan-Menon Memorial Airport}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Norfolk International Airport
| image = Norfolk International Airport Horizontal Logo.svg
| image-width = 250
| caption =
| image2 = ORF Departures.jpg
| image2-width = 250
| caption2 = The Main Departures Building at ORF
| IATA = ORF
| ICAO = KORF
| FAA = ORF
| type = Public
| owner = Norfolk Airport Authority
| operator = Norfolk Airport Authority
| city-served = Hampton Roads, Northeast North Carolina
| location = Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
| operating_base = Breeze Airways
| elevation-f = 26
| website = [http://www.norfolkairport.com/ NorfolkAirport.com]
| coordinates = {{coord|36|53|41|N|076|12|04|W|region:US-VA|display=inline,title}}
| mapframe = yes
| image_map = KORF FAA Airport Diagram.svg
| image_mapsize = 210
| image_map_caption = Diagram
| r1-number = 05/23
| r1-length-f = 9,001
| r1-surface = Asphalt/concrete
| r2-number = 14/32
| r2-length-f = 4,875
| r2-surface = Asphalt
| stat-year = 2024
| stat1-header = Total passengers
| stat1-data = 4,864,752
| stat2-header = Cargo (lbs.)
| stat2-data = 45,338,511
| footnotes = Source: Norfolk Airport Authority and Federal Aviation Administration{{FAA-airport|ID=ORF|use=PU|own=PU|site=25905.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. effective January 23, 2025.
| timezone = Eastern Time Zone
| utc = UTC−05:00
}}
Norfolk International Airport {{airport codes|ORF{{cite web | url = http://www.iata.org/publications/Pages/code-search.aspx | title = IATA Airport Code Search (ORF: Norfolk / International) | publisher = International Air Transport Association | access-date = December 31, 2012}}|KORF|ORF}} is {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} northeast of downtown Norfolk, within the boundaries of the independent city in Virginia, United States. It is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority: a bureau under the municipal government. The airport serves the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of southeast Virginia (along with Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News) as well as northeast North Carolina. Despite the name, there are currently no international destinations with regularly scheduled service from the airport.{{Cite web |title=Where We Fly |url=https://www.norfolkairport.com/where-we-fly/ |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=Norfolk International Airport |language=en-US}}
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 2022 categorized it as a small hub airport.{{cite web |date=September 16, 2022 |title=CY 2022 Commercial Service Airports, Rank Order |url=https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2023-09/cy22-commercial-service-enplanements.pdf |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=Federal Aviation Administration}}
{{As of|2022}}, with an enplanement count of 2,065,116 people, Norfolk International was ranked as the 65th-busiest airport in the United States and the third-busiest in Virginia in terms of passengers served annually, behind Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport, but just ahead of Richmond International.{{cite web |title=CY 2021 Commercial Service Airports, Rank Order |url=https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-09/cy21-commercial-service-enplanements.pdf |website=Federal Aviation Administration |access-date=January 20, 2023 |date=September 16, 2022}} Delta Air Lines has the largest share of passenger traffic, followed by Southwest Airlines and American Airlines.
History
= 1920s =
In 1926, Norfolk citizens experienced their first commercial flights on the Mitten Line, operated by Philadelphia Rapid Transit Air Service, Inc. The service offered round-trip flights to Washington and Philadelphia for a brief period before high costs led to its discontinuation. In 1929, Ben Epstein, a World War I veteran pilot, established an air taxi service between Norfolk and Richmond from his airfield on Granby Street. The Ludington Line commenced the first daily scheduled service from Epstein's field to Washington, D.C. During this era, air travel was a special occasion marked by families dressing in their finest attire to board the 10-passenger Fokker Trimotor.{{Cite web |title=Mission & History |url=https://www.norfolkairport.com/about-us/mission-history/#:~:text=In%201974,%20the%20Airport%20dedicated,addition%20of%20Federal%20Customs%20facilities. |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Norfolk International Airport |language=en-US}}
= 1930s =
Commercial air travel faced challenges in 1932 when the Navy objected to the expansion of the Granby Street field due to its proximity to Norfolk Naval Air Station. Operations moved to Glenrock Airport, but the Great Depression caused all commercial flights to be suspended indefinitely, grounding Norfolk for five years. In 1938, Norfolk Municipal Airport was established on the site of the former Truxton Manor Golf Course, featuring a 3,500-foot runway and a passenger terminal, which was completed in 1940.
= 1940s =
During World War II, Norfolk Municipal Airport played a crucial role in the war effort. The Army Air Corps took over operations from 1942 to 1947, expanding the runway and adding two more to accommodate increased flights. After the war, the airport returned to city control, and commercial travel resumed with the introduction of new airlines. In 1948, Piedmont Airlines began operations, coinciding with the groundbreaking for a modern terminal building.
= 1950s =
By the early 1950s, Norfolk had more daily flights than New York's La Guardia Airport. In 1950, the Norfolk Port and Industrial Authority (NPIA) took over airport management, boasting Norfolk Municipal Airport as one of the nation's finest and busiest. The new terminal was officially dedicated in 1951.
= 1960s =
The 1960s witnessed the transition from propeller-driven aircraft to jets. Norfolk Municipal Airport easily adapted to the demands for longer runways and taxiways, with jetliners becoming the norm. In 1968, the airport was officially recognized as the air transportation center for the entire region and was renamed Norfolk Regional Airport.
= 1970s =
In 1974, Norfolk Regional Airport dedicated its new terminal, expanding further with additional land acquisition and the addition of Federal Customs facilities in 1976. New facilities for the fire station, maintenance depot, and air traffic control tower were also planned and completed as needed. The airport's name was also changed from Norfolk Regional Airport to the modern name, Norfolk International Airport.
= 1980s =
= 1990s =
Norfolk International Airport continued to grow in the 1990s, expanding its air cargo terminal, parking facilities, and passenger terminal. In 1991, a new concourse extension with 10 additional gates was completed, along with a modern fire station and FAA air traffic control tower. The airport also embraced the digital age by launching its first website and installing internet access booths for travelers.
= 21st century =
The Norfolk Airport Authority has undertaken a multi-phase plan to improve airport terminals, concourses, the general aviation terminal, dining and retail facilities, in-airport advertising, and customer service. Renovations and improvements to enhance the passenger experience are ongoing, with capital development projects planned for 2024 and beyond, including runway rehabilitation, pedestrian bridge enhancements, terminal development, concourse expansion, a Federal Inspection Services Facility, and an Airport Hotel.
Facilities
The airport covers {{convert|1,300|acre|ha|abbr=off}} at an elevation of {{convert|27|ft|m}}. Its main runway, 5–23, is {{convert|9,001|by|150|ft|m}}, and crosswind runway 14–32 is {{convert|4,875|by|150|ft|m}}.{{cite web|url=https://skyvector.com/airport/ORF/Norfolk-International-Airport|title=ORF airport data at skyvector.com|website=skyvector.com}} FAA data effective January 23, 2025.
The crosswind runway (14–32) was closed for renovations on December 19, 2009, and reopened in the spring of 2011. The airport's long-term plan calls for this runway to be destroyed to make way for a parallel runway (5R-23L) east of runway 5–23, but the FAA grounded the plan in the summer of 2016 due to diminishing demand, limited space, and environmental impacts.
In 2017 the airport had 67,679 aircraft operations, an average of 185 per day: 39% airline, 27% air taxi, 27% general aviation, and 2% military. In November 2018, 95 aircraft were based at the airport,52 single-engine, 20 multi-engine, 20 jet, and three helicopters.
General aviation services, or fixed-base operations, are provided by Signature Flight Support with full-service facilities for maintaining and housing private and corporate aircraft. The modern {{convert|54000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} terminal facility offers everything from aircraft rental to sightseeing flights and aircraft repair.
Daily scheduled aircraft include ERJ140/145 (United, American,), CRJ200/550/700/900 (Delta, United, American), ERJ170/175/190/195 (American, United, Delta, Breeze), A300 (FedEx), A319/320 (United, Allegiant, American, Frontier, Spirit), B717 (Delta), B737 (Southwest, American, Delta, United), and B757 (UPS and Delta).
=FAA control tower=
Built in 1995, the FAA Norfolk Air Traffic Control Tower stands {{convert|134|ft|m}} high. Operated and managed by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Norfolk Tower handles about 1,100 aircraft per day, 24 hours per day and 365 days per year. Radar coverage is provided by the ASR-9 terminal system with a six-level weather detection capability. Also available for use is an Enhanced Target Generator (ETG) lab with two radar scopes to accomplish training objectives, as well as the IDS4 system, a specialized microcomputer network system designed to distribute and display both static and real-time data regarding weather and other rapidly changing critical information to air traffic controllers.
=Gates=
Norfolk International Airport has two passenger concourses: Concourse A (gates A1-A11), and Concourse B (gates B16-B30). Allegiant Air, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines occupy Concourse A while Breeze Airways, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines occupy Concourse B. International flights are handled at gate A1; however, there are currently no scheduled international flights. Specific gate locations are the following:
Allegiant A7; American A2, A4, A6, A8 and A9; Delta B19, B21, B23, B24 and B25; Southwest A3 and A5; United B27-B30, with Breeze, Frontier and Spirit using common gates of B16, B17, B18, B20. Concourse B gates B22 and B26 are no longer in use and have been converted into passenger seating areas for B21 and B25.
=Cargo yard=
About 70 million pounds of air cargo are shipped in and out of Norfolk International Airport each year.{{cite web | url = http://www.norfolkairport.com/airport-information/norfolk-airport-authority/press-room | title = Press Room | publisher = Norfolk International Airport | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120117075551/http://www.norfolkairport.com/airport-information/norfolk-airport-authority/press-room | archive-date = January 17, 2012 | df = mdy-all }}
NIA houses one of the most modern and efficient air cargo facilities in the state. Its two modern air cargo terminals have {{convert|88000|sqft|m2}} of space. A ramp provides direct access from the plane to the warehouse.
=Terminal upgrade=
The terminal began major upgrades in 2024, scheduled to be finished by 2025. The moving walkway on the bridge between Arrivals and Departures will be reinstalled, the checking bags area will be consolidated, additional departures will be added to Concourse A, and a hotel will be built on the airport's grounds. Two new destinations were also announced, with both Breeze Airways and Spirit Airlines flying to Southwest Florida International Airport, and Spirit Airlines flying to Tampa International Airport.{{cite web|url=https://wydaily.com/latest-news/2023/10/22/norfolk-international-airport-set-to-undergo-major-renovations/|title=Norfolk International Airport Set to Undergo Major Renovations|date=October 22, 2023|website=wydaily.com|access-date=December 12, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/norfolk/new-design-for-norfolk-airport-terminal-revealed-as-well-as-2-new-destinations/|title=New design for Norfolk Airport terminal revealed, as well as 2 new destinations|date=October 6, 2023|website=wydaily.com|access-date=December 12, 2023}}
Airlines and destinations
=Passenger=
{{Airport destination list | 3rdcoltitle = Refs | 3rdcolunsortable = yes
| Allegiant Air | Seasonal: Boston, Cincinnati, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville (FL), Orlando/Sanford, St. Petersburg/Clearwater |{{cite web|title=Allegiant Air|url=https://www.allegiantair.com|access-date=7 January 2017|archive-date=February 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224233038/http://www.allegiantair.com/|url-status=dead}}
| American Airlines | Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami |{{cite web|title=Flight schedules and notifications|url=https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/schedule|access-date=7 January 2017}}
| American Eagle | Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Washington–National
Seasonal: Miami |
| Breeze Airways | Charleston (SC), Hartford, Jacksonville (FL), Las Vegas, Long Island/Islip, New Haven,{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/breeze-airways-flights-tweed-new-haven-airport/3361955/|title=Breeze Airways to begin flying from Tweed-New Haven Airport|website=NBC Connecticut|date=August 13, 2024|access-date=August 13, 2024}} New Orleans, Providence, Tampa, West Palm Beach{{cite web |title=Breeze Airways Expands New Haven Service in NW24 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240821-mxnw24hvn |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=21 August 2024}}
Seasonal: Akron/Canton, Columbus–Glenn, Fort Myers, Los Angeles, Phoenix–Sky Harbor,{{cite web|url=https://ktar.com/story/5568135/breeze-airways-to-launch-new-service-between-phoenix-and-norfolk-virginia/|title=Low-cost carrier Breeze Airways to launch new service between Phoenix and Norfolk, Virginia|website=KTAR News|date=March 26, 2024|access-date=March 26, 2024}} Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), San Diego,{{cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-01-09/low-cost-airline-san-diego-nonstop-destinations|title=A new low-cost airline is coming to San Diego and with it five new nonstop destinations|last=Weisberg|first=Lori|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|date=January 9, 2024|access-date=January 9, 2024}} Syracuse|{{cite web|title=Breeze Home Page|url=https://www.flybreeze.com/home|access-date=21 May 2021}}{{cite web|url= https://www.fox4now.com/news/local-news/breeze-airways-adds-seasonal-and-new-routes-from-fort-myers|title= Breeze Airways adds seasonal and new routes from Fort Myers|website=FOX 4 Southwest Florida|date=18 July 2023|accessdate=18 July 2023}}
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta
Seasonal: Boston |{{cite web|title=FLIGHT SCHEDULES|url=https://www.delta.com/flightinfo/viewFlightSchedulesSetup.action|access-date=31 May 2024}}
| Delta Connection | Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul,{{cite web|url=https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/norfolk/delta-to-resume-flights-from-norfolk-to-minneapolis-st-paul/|title=Delta to resume flights from Norfolk to Minneapolis-St. Paul|publisher=wavy.com|date=October 31, 2023|accessdate=31 May 2024}} New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia |
| Frontier Airlines | Atlanta,{{Cite web|url=https://news.flyfrontier.com/frontier-airlines-announces-17-new-routes-across-multiple-airports--spanning-the-us-and-caribbean/ |title=Frontier Airlines Announces 17 New Routes Across Multiple Airports, Spanning the U.S. and Caribbean }} Dallas/Fort Worth (begins May 22, 2025),https://airlinegeeks.com/2025/02/18/frontier-adds-14-routes-returns-to-two-airports/ Orlando|{{cite web|title=Frontier|url=https://www.flyfrontier.com/plan-and-book/route-map/|access-date=7 January 2017}}
| JetBlue | Seasonal: Boston (begins April 30, 2025){{cite web| url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250115533992/en/JetBlue-Enhances-Summer-Travel-with-New-Routes-and-Destinations-Strengthening-its-East-Coast-Network | title=JetBlue Enhances Summer Travel with New Routes and Destinations, Strengthening its East Coast Network |website=Business Wire | date=January 15, 2025 }} |{{cite web|title=JetBlue Airlines Timetable|url=https://b6.innosked.com/(S(ke2am3wxgiegj0zs1pxotirq))/default.aspx|access-date=March 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713064749/http://b6.innosked.com/(S(52udsaj2thvywnmtihsndo55))/default.aspx|archive-date=July 13, 2013|url-status=live}}
| {{nowrap|Southwest Airlines}} | Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Nashville, Orlando
Seasonal: Dallas–Love, Denver, St. Louis{{Cite web |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2023/10/26/southwest-airlines-to-add-west-coast-stop.html |title= Southwest Airlines to add West Coast stop from Lambert airport, more flights |access-date=October 26, 2023}} |{{cite web|title=Check Flight Schedules|url=https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/index.html|access-date=7 January 2017}}
| Spirit Airlines | Detroit (begins May 8, 2025),{{cite web|url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/spirit-launching-15-new-resuming-routes-this-june-from-detroit-metro-airport|title=Spirit launching 15 new & resuming routes this June from Detroit Metro Airport}} Fort Lauderdale, New York–LaGuardia (begins May 8, 2025),{{cite web |title=Spirit Airlines NS25 Network Additions – 09MAR25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250310-nkns25 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=11 March 2025}} Orlando
Seasonal: Boston |{{cite web|title=New Spirit Service|url=https://ir.spirit.com/news-releases/news-details/2022/Spirit-Airlines-Embarks-on-New-Daily-Service-at-Norfolk/default.aspx|access-date=4 October 2022}}
| United Airlines | Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, Washington–Dulles |{{cite web|title=Timetable|url=https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/timetable/default.aspx|access-date=31 May 2024|archive-date=January 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128165254/https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/timetable/default.aspx|url-status=dead}}
| United Express | Newark, Washington–Dulles
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare |
}}
=Cargo=
{{Airport destination list
| FedEx Express | Atlanta, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Manteo, Memphis, Newark, Richmond
| UPS Airlines | Columbia (SC), Louisville, Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Roanoke
}}
Statistics
=Top destinations=
=Annual traffic=
{{Airport-Statistics|iata=ORF}}
Ground transportation
There are no bus or shuttle services to and from Norfolk International Airport. The nearest bus (HRT Route 15) connection is {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} away at the intersection of Military Highway (Route 165) and Norview Avenue (Route 247).{{cite web | url = https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Unknown+road+%4036.897190,+-76.204530&daddr=SR-247+%26+SR-165,+Norfolk,+VA&sll=36.900009,-76.209819&sspn=0.008134,0.020084&ie=UTF8&ll=36.898087,-76.213896&spn=0.008134,0.020084&z=16&om=1 | title = Distance from airport to intersection of Route 165 & Route 247 | publisher = Google Maps}}
All ground transportation services are located in the arrivals terminal. There are several on-site rental car companies, an authorized shuttle service providing door-to-door service to the entire Hampton Roads area, and taxis available through several companies. Both Uber and Lyft service the airport through an agreement with the airport authority.
=Parking=
A nine-level parking garage adjacent to the new arrivals terminal opened in July 2002. It provides 2,800 covered spaces for short-term, long-term, and rental parking. Overall, NIA parking facilities can accommodate 7,000 vehicles.
{{cite web | url = http://www.mastercard.com/us/company/en/newsroom/pr_norfolk_airport_acs_and_mc_introduce_contactless_pymts_to_airport_parking.html | title =Norfolk Airport, ACS and MasterCard Worldwide Introduce Contactless Payments to Airport Parking | publisher = MasterCard.com | date = June 8, 2009}}
In February 2019, the airport announced it would begin construction of a brand new 1.09 million square foot parking garage. Construction started in July 2019. This new parking garage will consolidate all parking lots at ORF. It will also replace the employee shuttle that costs over $600,000 a year to operate.
{{cite web | url = https://wtkr.com/2019/03/07/new-parking-garage-coming-to-norfolk-international/ | title =New Parking Garage coming to Norfolk International | publisher = WKTR | date = March 7, 2019}}
Accidents and incidents
- On January 19, 1967, a United Airlines Vickers 754D Viscount collided with a snow plow that had entered the runway in the path of the United plane upon landing. All 50 passengers and crew on board the aircraft survived; the aircraft suffered major damage to its airframe and was written off.{{ASN accident|id=19670119-0|title=N7431|accessdate = November 19, 2018}}
- On September 1, 1974, a Martin 4-0-4 which was sitting empty on the ramp caught fire, damaging the airframe beyond repair. The cause of the fire was never determined.{{ASN accident|id=19740901-0|title=N40427|accessdate = November 19, 2018}}
See also
{{Portal|Aviation}}
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
- {{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
External links
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
- {{official website}}
- {{FAA-diagram|00291}}
- {{FAA-procedures|ORF}}
{{US-airport|ORF}}
- [https://s3.amazonaws.com/nxs-wavytv-media-us-east-1/webcams/WAVY02.jpg Live webcam image from WAVY-TV]
{{div col end}}
{{Norfolk, Virginia}}
{{Water Crossings in the Hampton Roads Region}}
{{USAAF 1st Air Force World War II}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Transportation in Norfolk, Virginia
Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Virginia