Asheville Regional Airport | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Owner | City of Asheville | ||||||||||
| Operator | Asheville Regional Airport Authority | ||||||||||
| Serves | Asheville, North Carolina | ||||||||||
| Location | Asheville, North Carolina[1] | ||||||||||
| Opened | 1961 (1961) | ||||||||||
| Operating base for | Allegiant Air[2] | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 2,164 ft / 660 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 35°26′10″N082°32′30″W / 35.43611°N 82.54167°W /35.43611; -82.54167 | ||||||||||
| Website | flyavl | ||||||||||
| Maps | |||||||||||
 FAA airport diagram | |||||||||||
 Interactive map of Asheville Regional Airport | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Statistics | |||||||||||
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| Source:Federal Aviation Administration,[3]BTS[4][5] | |||||||||||
Asheville Regional Airport (IATA:AVL,ICAO:KAVL,FAALID:AVL) is aClass C airport nearInterstate 26 and the town ofFletcher, North Carolina, 9 miles (14 km) south of downtownAsheville. It is owned by the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority.[3] TheFederal Aviation Administration (FAA)National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2019–2023categorized it as a small-hub primary commercial service facility.[6] In 2023 it served an all-time record number of passengers for the airport, 2,246,411, an increase of 22.2% over 2022.[7]
The airport opened initially with a 6500-foot runway in 1961, replacing the former airport at35°26′20″N82°28′52″W / 35.439°N 82.481°W /35.439; -82.481 (Former airport serving Asheville).
AConcorde supersonic transport (SST) visited AVL during a 1987 promotional tour and was snowed in overnight. CharteredBoeing 747s (operated byUnited Airlines) have visited, as has anAirbus A340 during the visit ofCharles, Prince of Wales, to the nearbyBiltmore Estate in 1996. AVL's 8,002-foot (2,439 m) runway can handle almost any aircraft.
In April 2010, PresidentBarack Obama and First LadyMichelle Obama landed in Asheville aboard aBoeing C-32 (theUSAF version of theBoeing 757-200) for a weekend getaway. In October 2011 President Obama landed in Asheville in the largerBoeing VC-25 (theUSAF version of theBoeing 747-200) to kick off his North Carolina and Virginia bus tour promoting his jobs bill. He gave a speech at the airport, and cited potential enhancements at the airport as part of the jobs push.[8] President Obama returned to Asheville on February 13, 2013, on the same aircraft for a brief visit and speech at a nearby manufacturing facility.
The terminal building opened on June 7, 1961[9] (the airport opened in January 1961[10]). A $20 million expansion and renovation project began in 1987. The expansion project was completed in 1992, which resulted in an expansion of the ticket lobby, baggage claim area, and administrative office space. A second-level boarding area and jetways were constructed, as well as an atrium to the existing lobby. The second-level boarding area was removed and the ground-level boarding areas were expanded and renovated in 2003, designed by McCreary/Snow Architects, PA and built by Wilkie Construction Company, Inc.[11] In 2009, $17.8 million of improvements were completed, including a Guest Services center, an additionalbaggage carousel, rental car desks, offices and security enhancements. In November 2017, a new 1,300-space parking deck opened in front of the airport terminal.[12]
As part of Project SOAR (Significant Opportunity for Aviation in our Region), a major airport improvement project, the existing runway (which was over 50 years old) was nearing the end of its useful life and required major reconstruction to continue its use into the future. Also, the existing runway did not meet the most currentFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements that were put in place long after the runway was originally constructed. In December 2015, a temporary runway was opened west of the existing runway (16/34). The temporary runway 35Instrument Landing System (ILS) is operational, andPrecision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI) are available on both ends of the runway. The runway magnetic compass heading has shifted slightly over the years, and runway 16/34 has been renamed to runway 17/35.[13] The new runway entered service on November 5, 2020.[14]
In 2023 the airport began work on a multi-phase renovation and expansion of the terminal building. The new terminal will include 280,000 square feet (26,000 m2), 150% larger than the current space, with 12 gates instead of the current seven and additional room for expansion. The renovated and expanded terminal is being constructed on the site of the existing terminal, necessitating a multi-year approach to its construction. The old terminal is being demolished, starting with the north end first.[15] The project also includes the construction of a new air traffic control tower on the southwest edge of the airport. Construction on the $44 million, 127-foot (39 m) tower began in 2023 and is scheduled for completion in 2025.[16]
Asheville Regional Airport is a focus city forAllegiant Air which basesAirbus A320 family aircraft and crew at the airport.[17]
In 1948,Capital Airlines,Delta Air Lines andPiedmont Airlines (1948-1989) served the former Asheville airport, all withDouglas DC-3s. Capital flew nonstop to Charlotte and Knoxville;[18] Delta flew nonstop to Greenville, SC, and Knoxville;[18] Piedmont flew nonstop toTri-Cities, TN and Charlotte.[18]
In 1959, the Asheville City Council would purchase property partially located in neighboring Henderson County for the development of the airport. The North Carolina General Assembly would pass a bill that would to redesign the boundaries of Buncombe and Henderson to include the proposed airport property entirely in Buncombe, allowing Asheville toannex the complete site.[1]
In 1961, Capital Airlines flewVickers Viscounts into the recently opened new airport with nonstop service to Atlanta, GA, Tri-Cities, TN and Winston/Salem.[18] Capital was acquired by and merged intoUnited Airlines which in 1963 flew Viscounts andDouglas DC-6Bs nonstop to Atlanta, Greensboro, Raleigh/Durham and Washington D.C.National Airport.[18] In 1966 Delta had one daily flight from Asheville, aDouglas DC-7 nonstop to Knoxville and direct to Louisville and ChicagoO'Hare Airport.[18] In 1966 PiedmontFairchild F-27s andMartin 4-0-4s flew nonstop to Atlanta, Charlotte, Knoxville, Roanoke and Tri-Cities, TN.[18]
Piedmont Airlines introducedBoeing 727-100s in 1967, a typical routing being Atlanta - Asheville - Winston/Salem - Roanoke - New YorkLaGuardia Airport.[18] In 1969 UnitedBoeing 737-200s flew nonstop to Atlanta and Raleigh/Durham while DeltaMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-30s flew nonstop to Knoxville with same plane service to Louisville and ChicagoO'Hare Airport.[18]
The April 1975Official Airline Guide listed Delta, Piedmont and United serving Asheville.[19] Delta had one dailyMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 from Knoxville, originating at ChicagoO'Hare Airport via Louisville. Piedmont flewBoeing 737-200s,Fairchild Hiller FH-227s andNAMC YS-11s nonstop from Atlanta, Charleston, WV, Charlotte, Danville, VA, Fayetteville, NC, Greenville/Spartanburg, SC, Knoxville, Lynchburg, VA, Nashville, Roanoke,Tri-Cities, TN and Winston/Salem, and direct 737s from Memphis, Richmond, VA and Washington D.C.National Airport. United was flying nonstopBoeing 737-200s from Atlanta, Charleston, WV and Raleigh/Durham. In 1976 United flew direct to Tampa via Atlanta;[19] in 1978 Piedmont 737s flew direct to ChicagoO'Hare Airport via Tri-Cities, TN.[19]
Piedmont was the only jet airline at Asheville in February 1985, withBoeing 727-200 andFokker F28 Fellowship nonstops from Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte and Roanoke and one-stop 727s from Denver, Miami and New YorkLaGuardia Airport, plus one-stop F28s from New YorkNewark Airport according to theOfficial Airline Guide.[19] This sameOAG also lists nonstopDelta Connection (operated byAtlantic Southeast Airlines)de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7s andShort 360s from Atlanta, andSunbird Airlines andWheeler AirlinesBeechcraft 99s from Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham, plus Wheeler nonstops fromTri-Cities, TN.[19]
American EagleBAe Jetstream 31s andSaab 340s began serving AVL fromNashville in 1986 and Raleigh-Durham in 1987.[20][21] These flights ended in 1995 when American closed both hubs.
The April 1995 OAG listed six airlines at Asheville: American Eagle, Delta, Delta Connection (operated by bothAtlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) andComair),USAir (which had merged with Piedmont in 1989) andUSAir Express.[19] Delta and Delta Connection (ASA) had a total of eight nonstops a day from Atlanta, Delta onMcDonnell Douglas MD-80s and Delta Connection onATR 72s andEmbraer EMB-120 Brasilias. Delta Connection (operated by Comair) also had three EMB-120 Brasilias a day from Cincinnati, a Delta hub. USAir and USAir Express had a total of nine nonstops a day from the USAir hub in Charlotte, USAir withBoeing 737-300s andMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-30s and USAir Express withShort 360s. USAir Express also had three nonstop Jetstream 31s a day from Raleigh/Durham, some stopping in Greenville/Spartanburg. Delta ended mainline jets to AVL in December 1995, with ASA taking over withBritish Aerospace 146 regional jets; however, Delta currently operates mainlineBoeing 717-200 service nonstop to its Atlanta hub.[22][23]
In 1996,Midway Airlines briefly flew to its hub at Raleigh-Durham viaMidway Connection partnerCorporate Airlines Jetstream 31s.[24]
As of 2023, the airport is undergoing expansion and reconstruction.[25] Once the construction work is finished the terminal will be 150% larger than currently and will have 12 rather than 7 gates.[26] It will be two-story rather than single story when complete.[27] The groundbreaking ceremony for the terminal occurred 11 August 2023. The new air-traffic control tower will be ready in 2025 and ground breaking was January 2023.[28] The completed project is scheduled for 2026.[29][30] 175 million dollars in bonds was approved by the state treasurer for the project.[31] The total cost of the project has been cited as $400 million.[32][33][34] Jet bridges will be added as part of the project as currently manual ramps are pushed up to the planes during the renovation.[35]
Asheville Regional Airport covers 900 acres (360 ha) and has oneasphalt runway measuring 8,002 ft × 150 ft (2,439 m × 46 m).[3][36]
In the year ending March 31, 2023, the airport had 80,199 aircraft operations, average 220 per day: 59%general aviation, 13%air taxi, 22% airline, and 6% military. At that time, 132 aircraft were based at the airport: 113 single-engine, 10 multi-engine, 7 jet, and 2helicopter.[3]
The airport sees the following jet airliners regularly:
| Year | Passengers | % Change | Year | Passengers | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 579,443 | — | 2019 | 1,616,762 |  42.5% |
| 2010 | 735,760 | 27.0% | 2020 | 704,972 |  56.4% |
| 2011 | 721,677 | 1.9% | 2021 | 1,428,266 | 102.6% |
| 2012 | 633,848 | 12.2% | 2022 | 1,838,793 | 28.7% |
| 2013 | 678,023 | 7.0% | 2023 | 2,246,411 | 22.2% |
| 2014 | 756,425 | 11.6% | 2024 | 2,174,125 | 3.2% |
| 2015 | 787,135 | 4.0% | 2025 | ||
| 2016 | 826,648 | 5.0% | 2026 | ||
| 2017 | 956,634 | 15.7% | 2027 | ||
| 2018 | 1,134,568 | 18.6% | 2028 |
| Rank | Airline | Passengers | Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allegiant | 877,000 | 41.79% |
| 2 | Delta | 323,000 | 15.39% |
| 3 | PSA | 176,000 | 8.41% |
| 4 | Envoy | 164,000 | 7.82% |
| 5 | Endeavor | 127,000 | 6.05% |
| Other Airlines | 431,000 | 20.54% |
| Rank | City | Passengers | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, Georgia | 182,360 | Delta |
| 2 | Charlotte, North Carolina | 132,250 | American |
| 3 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 91,160 | Allegiant |
| 4 | Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois | 68,110 | American, United |
| 5 | St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida | 65,950 | Allegiant |
| 6 | Orlando/Sanford, Florida | 64,970 | Allegiant |
| 7 | Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas | 52,010 | American |
| 8 | New York-LaGuardia, New York | 51,990 | American, Delta |
| 9 | Newark, New Jersey | 44,910 | Allegiant, United |
| 10 | Denver, Colorado | 33,410 | Allegiant, United |
On July 19, 1967,Piedmont Airlines Flight 22, aBoeing 727-100, collided in mid-air with aCessna 310 just south of the airport inHendersonville. The collision happened just moments after the 727 took off from the Asheville Airport. All 82 people on both planes were killed.
On March 14, 2003, aCessna 177 Cardinal crashed intoOld Fort Mountain after taking off from the airport. It killed authorAmanda Davis, who was on a book tour promoting her first novelWonder When You'll Miss Me, and her parents.[50][51]
On October 27, 2004, aBeechcraft Duke crashed about 0.8 of a mile off the departure end of Runway 34 after an apparent right engine failure, killing all four people on board.[52][53]
On May 4, 2007, a 1977Cessna 182 en route to Asheville Regional Airport crashed near the airport, killing three Georgia men. Initial reports falsely said that rapperJay-Z was on board.[54]
On October 6, 2017, aterrorist deposited a bag containing animprovised explosive device near the entrance to the Asheville Regional Airport terminal. The bomb was set to explode the following morning at 6:00 AM but was defused after being detected bybomb-sniffing dogs. The terrorist,Michael Christopher Estes, was arrested and faced two federal charges.[55][56][57] Estespleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of an explosive in an airport on January 12, 2018; the other charge was dismissed.[58]
On December 27, 2019, a small plane crashed in the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center parking lot adjacent to the airport shortly after takeoff. All five people on board survived with injuries and escaped before the plane exploded.[59]
