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Norfolk International Airport

Coordinates: 36°53′41″N 076°12′04″W / 36.89472°N 76.20111°W / 36.89472; -76.20111
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Norfolk Airport" redirects here. For airports in the English county of Norfolk, see List of airports in Norfolk. For the airport in Massachusetts, see Henan-Menon Memorial Airport.

Norfolk International Airport
The Main Departures Building at ORF
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerNorfolk Airport Authority
OperatorNorfolk Airport Authority
ServesHampton Roads, Northeast North Carolina
LocationNorfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Operating base forBreeze Airways
Time zoneEastern Time Zone (UTC−05:00)
Elevation AMSL26 ft / 8 m
Coordinates36°53′41″N 076°12′04″W / 36.89472°N 76.20111°W / 36.89472; -76.20111
WebsiteNorfolkAirport.com
Maps
Diagram
Diagram
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
05/23 9,001 2,744 Asphalt/concrete
14/32 4,875 1,486 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
Aircraft operations75,016
Based aircraft (2018)95
Total passengers4,552,582
Cargo (million lbs)56.1
Source: Norfolk Airport Authority and Federal Aviation Administration[1]

Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF[2], ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF) is seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk, within the boundaries of the independent city in Virginia, United States.[1] 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.[3]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 2022 categorized it as a small hub airport.[4]

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.[5] Delta Air Lines has the largest share of passenger traffic, followed by Southwest Airlines and American Airlines.

History

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1920s

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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.[6]

1930s

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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.[6]

1940s

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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.[6]

1950s

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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.[6]

1960s

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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.[6]

1970s

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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.[6]

1980s

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The 1980s saw significant developments, including the opening of a new general aviation facility and air cargo terminal, along with expanded parking facilities. In 1988, the supervising body Norfolk Port and Industrial Authority was renamed to Norfolk Airport Authority.[6]

1990s

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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.[6]

21st century

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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.[6]

Facilities

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The airport covers 1,300 acres (526 ha) at an elevation of 27 feet (8 m). Its main runway, 5–23, is 9,001 by 150 feet (2,744 x 46 m), and crosswind runway 14–32 is 4,875 by 150 feet (1,486 x 46 m).[1][7]

An arriving flights sign
Southwest Airlines check-in counter
Bridge that connects the Arrivals and Departures buildings
Baggage claim area

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.[1]

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 54,000-square-foot (5,000 m2) 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

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Built in 1995, the FAA Norfolk Air Traffic Control Tower stands 134 feet (41 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

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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

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About 70 million pounds of air cargo are shipped in and out of Norfolk International Airport each year.[8] NIA houses one of the most modern and efficient air cargo facilities in the state. Its two modern air cargo terminals have 88,000 square feet (8,200 m2) of space. A ramp provides direct access from the plane to the warehouse.

Terminal upgrade

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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.[9][10]

Airlines and destinations

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A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700

Passenger

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AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Allegiant AirSeasonal: Boston, Cincinnati, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville (FL), Orlando/Sanford, St. Petersburg/Clearwater[11]
American Airlines Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami [12]
American Eagle Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Washington–National
Seasonal: Miami 		[12]
Breeze Airways Charleston (SC), Hartford, Jacksonville (FL), Las Vegas, Long Island/Islip, New Haven (begins February 6, 2025),[13] New Orleans, Providence, San Diego,[14] Tampa, West Palm Beach (resumes February 6, 2025)[15]
Seasonal: Akron/Canton, Columbus–Glenn, Fort Myers, Los Angeles, Phoenix–Sky Harbor,[16] Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), Syracuse		[17][18]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta
Seasonal: Boston 		[19]
Delta Connection Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul,[20] New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia [19]
Frontier Airlines Atlanta,[21] Orlando[22]
Southwest Airlines Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Nashville, Orlando
Seasonal: Dallas–Love, Denver, St. Louis[23] 		[24]
Spirit Airlines Fort Lauderdale, Orlando
Seasonal: Boston 		[25]
United Airlines Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, Washington–Dulles [26]
United Express Newark, Washington–Dulles
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare		[26]
Destinations map
class=notpageimage|
Destinations from Norfolk International Airport
Red = Year-round destination
Green = Seasonal destination
Blue = Future destination

Cargo

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AirlinesDestinations
FedEx Express Atlanta, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Manteo, Memphis, Newark, Richmond
UPS Airlines Columbia (SC), Louisville, Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Roanoke
Cargo destinations map
class=notpageimage|
Cargo destinations from Norfolk International Airport

Statistics

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Airline market share

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Carrier shares (May 2023 – April 2024)[27]
Carrier   Passengers (arriving and departing)
Delta
816,000(17.33%)
American
792,000(16.82%)
Southwest
752,000(15.97%)
United
551,000(11.70%)
Republic Airways
374,000(7.94%)
Other
1,424,000(30.24%)

Top destinations

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Busiest domestic routes from ORF
(May 2023 – April 2024)[27]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Georgia (U.S. state) Atlanta, Georgia 403,080 Delta
2 North Carolina Charlotte, North Carolina 258,090 American
3 Maryland Baltimore, Maryland 189,270 Southwest
4 Texas Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas 144,080 American
5 Florida Orlando, Florida 120.520 Frontier, Southwest, Spirit
6 Illinois Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 117,700 American, United
7 New York (state) New York–JFK, New York 106,900 American, Delta
8 Virginia Washington–Dulles, DC 103,310 United
9 New York (state) New York–LaGuardia, New York 98,070 American, Delta
10 New Jersey Newark, New Jersey 87,740 United

Annual traffic

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Annual passenger traffic at ORF airport. See Wikidata query.
Annual passenger traffic
(enplaned/deplaned) at ORF
2002 through present[28][29]
Year Passengers Year Passengers Year Passengers
2002 3,464,246 2012 3,299,712 2022 4,115,537
2003 3,436,391 2013 3,112,355 2023 4,552,582
2004 3,778,216 2014 2,965,306
2005 3,884,422 2015 3,034,407
2006 3,703,664 2016 3,209,185
2007 3,714,323 2017 3,380,902
2008 3,549,204 2018 3,663,996
2009 3,409,456 2019 3,981,139
2010 3,332,466 2020 1,785,135
2011 3,193,388 2021 3,311,121

Ground transportation

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There are no bus or shuttle services to and from Norfolk International Airport. The nearest bus (HRT Route 15) connection is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away at the intersection of Military Highway (Route 165) and Norview Avenue (Route 247).[30]

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

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The main entrance to the parking garage at ORF

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.[31] 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.[32]

Accidents and incidents

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  • 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.[33]
  • 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.[34]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for ORF PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective November 28, 2024.
  2. ^ "IATA Airport Code Search (ORF: Norfolk / International)". International Air Transport Association. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  3. ^ "Where We Fly". Norfolk International Airport. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  4. ^ "CY 2022 Commercial Service Airports, Rank Order" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. September 16, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "CY 2021 Commercial Service Airports, Rank Order" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. September 16, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Mission & History". Norfolk International Airport. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  7. ^ "ORF airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  8. ^ "Press Room". Norfolk International Airport. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012.
  9. ^ "Norfolk International Airport Set to Undergo Major Renovations". wydaily.com. October 22, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  10. ^ "New design for Norfolk Airport terminal revealed, as well as 2 new destinations". wydaily.com. October 6, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  11. ^ "Allegiant Air". Archived from the original on February 24, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  12. ^ a b "Flight schedules and notifications". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  13. ^ "Breeze Airways to begin flying from Tweed-New Haven Airport". NBC Connecticut. August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  14. ^ Weisberg, Lori (January 9, 2024). "A new low-cost airline is coming to San Diego and with it five new nonstop destinations". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "Breeze Airways Expands New Haven Service in NW24". Aeroroutes. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  16. ^ "Low-cost carrier Breeze Airways to launch new service between Phoenix and Norfolk, Virginia". KTAR News. March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  17. ^ "Breeze Home Page". Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  18. ^ "Breeze Airways adds seasonal and new routes from Fort Myers". FOX 4 Southwest Florida. July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  19. ^ a b "FLIGHT SCHEDULES". Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  20. ^ "Delta to resume flights from Norfolk to Minneapolis-St. Paul". wavy.com. October 31, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  21. ^ "Frontier Airlines Announces 17 New Routes Across Multiple Airports, Spanning the U.S. and Caribbean".
  22. ^ "Frontier". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  23. ^ "Southwest Airlines to add West Coast stop from Lambert airport, more flights". Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  24. ^ "Check Flight Schedules". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  25. ^ "New Spirit Service". Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  26. ^ a b "Timetable". Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "Norfolk, VA: Norfolk International (ORF)". Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), U.S. Department of Transportation. September 16, 2023.
  28. ^ "Passenger Boarding (Enplanement) and All-Cargo Data for U.S. Airports – Airports 2015". www.faa.gov. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  29. ^ "Passenger Boarding (Enplanement) and All-Cargo Data for U.S. Airports - Previous Years – Airports Previous Years". www.faa.gov. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  30. ^ "Distance from airport to intersection of Route 165 & Route 247". Google Maps.
  31. ^ "Norfolk Airport, ACS and MasterCard Worldwide Introduce Contactless Payments to Airport Parking". MasterCard.com. June 8, 2009.
  32. ^ "New Parking Garage coming to Norfolk International". WKTR. March 7, 2019.
  33. ^ Accident description for N7431 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on November 19, 2018.
  34. ^ Accident description for N40427 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on November 19, 2018.
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