Norfolk, Virginia: Airport Availability And Accessibility

Norfolk, Virginia, is home to the Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF). The airport is located about seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk and is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority. With a history of commercial flights dating back to 1926, Norfolk International Airport has undergone several transformations and expansions over the years, including a proposal for a second runway to accommodate increasing demand. Despite its name, the airport currently does not offer direct flights to any international destinations.

Norfolk International Airport's history

Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF) is located within the independent city of Norfolk, Virginia, United States. The airport is situated seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk and is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority, a bureau under the municipal government.

The history of Norfolk International Airport dates back to the early days of commercial aviation in the region. In 1926, Norfolk residents experienced their first commercial flights on the Mitten Line, operated by Philadelphia Rapid Transit Air Service, Inc. However, these flights were short-lived due to high costs. In 1929, a World War I veteran pilot, Ben Epstein, established an air taxi service between Norfolk and Richmond, operating from his airfield on Granby Street. Despite these early efforts, commercial air travel in Norfolk faced challenges in the 1930s due to objections from the Navy regarding the expansion of the Granby Street field because of its proximity to the Norfolk Naval Air Station. As a result, operations moved to Glenrock Airport, but the Great Depression soon led to the suspension of all commercial flights, grounding Norfolk for five years.

In 1938, the 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 completed in 1940. During World War II, the airport played a crucial role, with the Army Air Corps taking over operations from 1942 to 1947 and expanding the runway to accommodate increased flights. After the war, the airport resumed commercial travel, and in 1948, Piedmont Airlines began operations, coinciding with the construction of a modern terminal building. By the early 1950s, Norfolk had an impressive number of daily flights, even surpassing New York's La Guardia Airport.

The airport continued to grow and evolve over the years. In 1968, it was renamed Norfolk Regional Airport, and in 1976, it became Norfolk International Airport with the addition of Federal Customs facilities. The 1980s saw significant developments, including the opening of a new general aviation facility, air cargo terminal, and expanded parking facilities. The supervising body was also renamed the Norfolk Airport Authority in 1988. Progress continued through the 1990s, with expansions to the air cargo terminal, parking facilities, and passenger terminal, as well as the completion of a new concourse extension.

Norfolk International Airport has continued to adapt to meet the changing needs of aviation. Despite bearing the name 'international', the airport does not currently offer any direct international flights. However, it serves as a major airport for Coastal Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, offering daily arrivals and departures to major cities across the United States. The airport has also been a pioneer in the digital age, becoming the first airport to develop its website and install internet access booths for travellers. With ongoing improvements and a focus on enhancing the passenger experience, Norfolk International Airport remains a vital link in the global air transportation network.

Airport transport options

Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF) is located around seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, United States. Unfortunately, there are no bus or shuttle services to and from the airport. However, there are several other transport options available.

Airport Shuttle

The Norfolk Airport Shuttle service is available to take you to your desired destination in or around the city. Shuttles start at $27.00 per person to downtown Norfolk, VA. James River Transportation is one of the best airport shuttle services in the area of Eastern Virginia. They can take you to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Jamestown, Newport News, and many more destinations.

Taxi & Limo Services

Taxi and limo services are available at the airport. Downtown hotels are just a short ride away.

Car Rental

You can also rent a car at the airport.

Public Transport

While there is no public transportation at the airport, there are transit lines with routes that pass near ORF. These include Bus 2, Bus 25, Bus 45, Bus 6, Bus 8, and Bus 961. The Greyhound Bus Lines Norfolk station is located in the heart of downtown Norfolk at 701 Monticello Avenue. The Amtrak station is also located downtown.

Airport cargo facilities

Norfolk, Virginia, is home to the Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF). The airport is located seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk and serves the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of southeast Virginia, as well as northeast North Carolina.

Norfolk International Airport houses one of the most modern and efficient air cargo facilities in the state of Virginia. Approximately 60 million pounds of air cargo are shipped in and out of the airport annually. The airport features two modern cargo terminals with 88,000 square feet (8,200 m2) of space. An adjacent aircraft ramp provides direct access from the plane to the warehouse. All-cargo airlines serving ORF include FedEx, Mountain Air, and United Parcel Service, supported by a large network of forwarders and customs brokers specialising in air freight.

The airport's cargo facilities underwent major upgrades in 2024, with plans to finish by 2025. The upgrades include reinstalling the moving walkway on the bridge between Arrivals and Departures, consolidating the checking bags area, and adding additional departures to Concourse A.

The airport covers 1,300 acres (530 hectares) of land and features a main runway (5–23) of 9,001 by 150 feet (2,744 by 46 m), suitable for scheduled passenger jets. There is also a crosswind runway (14–32) of 4,875 by 150 feet (1,486 by 46 m) used by small planes under certain wind conditions.

The idea of a second parallel runway has been proposed multiple times since 1968 to accommodate increasing demand and provide safety and redundancy. However, the plan has faced opposition due to concerns about diminishing demand, limited space, and environmental impacts, and noise disturbances to nearby residents.

Norfolk International Airport has a long history, dating back to the establishment of Norfolk Municipal Airport in 1938 on the site of the former Truxton Manor Golf Course. The airport played a crucial role during World War II, with the Army Air Corps taking over operations from 1942 to 1947 and expanding the runways to accommodate increased flights. After the war, commercial travel resumed, and by the early 1950s, Norfolk had become one of the nation's busiest airports. The airport continued to grow and expand in the following decades, with improvements to its cargo facilities, parking, and passenger terminals. Today, Norfolk International Airport remains a vital transportation hub for the region, serving millions of passengers and tons of cargo each year.

Passenger traffic projections

Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF) is located about seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, United States. The airport is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority, a bureau under the municipal government.

Norfolk International Airport has seen significant growth in recent years, with new airlines arriving and various improvements being made to enhance the passenger experience. According to the airport's most recent report, July brought the highest number of passengers in its history, with over 466,000 people, compared to 433,000 the previous year. Since the beginning of the year when the report was released, 2.5 million passengers had passed through the airport, up from 2.3 million the previous year.

The airport's growth aligns with the physical expansion of the property, with federal funding approved for various capital development projects. In 2018, the airport drafted a new Master Plan, projecting a 40% increase in passenger traffic ("enplanements") over the next 20 years, along with an 11% increase in the number of takeoffs and landings ("operations").

To accommodate this growth, the airport has undertaken a multi-phase plan to improve its facilities. This includes upgrades to airport terminals, concourses, the general aviation terminal, dining and retail facilities, in-airport advertising, and customer service. Plans for 2024 and beyond include runway rehabilitation, pedestrian bridge enhancements, terminal development, and the addition of an on-site hotel.

The airport also handles a significant amount of air cargo, with about 70 million pounds of cargo shipped annually. Upgrades to its cargo facilities are also underway, with two modern cargo terminals providing 88,000 square feet (8,200 m2) of space. These improvements are expected to further enhance the airport's efficiency and capacity.

Airport runway plans

Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF) is located about seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, United States. The airport is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority, a bureau under the municipal government.

The airport has been exploring options to expand its facilities, including the construction of a new runway, to accommodate the anticipated increase in traveller numbers. The idea of a parallel runway for Norfolk's airport is not new and has been part of the airport master plan since 1968. However, there have been objections from neighbours due to the use of noisemakers to keep birds away from the airport, as well as from the Navy, which has expressed concerns about the impact on their training activities.

The Norfolk Airport Authority has proposed building a second runway for $300 million, with the mayor of Virginia Beach advocating for expansion to increase the number of flights and potentially attract an airline to offer international flights from Norfolk to Europe. The airport currently has no direct flights to any international destinations, and the regional population is considered too small to justify large, ocean-crossing airplanes.

In 2018, the airport officials found a way to repave the long runway without completely closing it down. They worked at night, and any plane that arrived during the repair time had to divert to Richmond, with passengers taken by bus to Norfolk. The proposed second runway would eliminate the shorter crosswind runway, which is used by small planes under certain wind conditions.

The airport authority is currently reviewing the options outlined in the master plan and will hold a public meeting to discuss their preferred choices. The plan also includes other improvements such as a new terminal, TSA checkpoint, and runway rehabilitation, to enhance the passenger experience and meet the growing demands of customers and airlines.

Frequently asked questions