Asheville Airport: Size, Scale, And Scope

The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is located 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Asheville, North Carolina, and is easily accessible from two major interstates, I-26 and I-40. The airport covers 900 acres (360 hectares) and has a single asphalt runway measuring 8,002 feet by 150 feet (2,439 meters by 46 meters). It is undergoing expansion, with a new terminal set to be 150% larger than the current one and featuring 12 gates instead of seven. The airport serves 27 destinations and is a focus city for Allegiant Air, with Airbus A320 family aircraft and crew based there. In 2023, the airport served a record-breaking 2,246,411 passengers, an increase of 22.2% from the previous year, and is rated as one of the fastest-growing airports in the country.

The airport's location and distance from Asheville

The Asheville Regional Airport (IATA: AVL, ICAO: KAVL, FAA LID: AVL) is located near Interstate 26 and the town of Fletcher, North Carolina. It is about 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Asheville, with an estimated drive time of 20-30 minutes. The airport is easily accessible and convenient for those travelling to the North Carolina mountains.

The airport is owned by the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority and is classified as a small-hub primary commercial service facility by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2019–2023 recognised the airport as one of the fastest-growing airports in the country.

Asheville Regional Airport covers 900 acres (360 hectares) and features a single asphalt runway measuring 8,002 feet by 150 feet (2,439 metres by 46 metres). The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including a $20 million project completed in 1992 that expanded the ticket lobby, baggage claim area, and administrative office space.

In 2023, the airport embarked on another significant expansion and reconstruction project. The new terminal, scheduled for completion in 2026, will offer 150% more space than the current terminal, increasing the number of gates from 7 to 12 and adding a second storey. The project also includes the construction of a new air traffic control tower, with a planned completion date of 2025.

With a growing number of passengers, efficient ground transportation, and ongoing enhancements, Asheville Regional Airport is a vital gateway to the Asheville region and the surrounding Western North Carolina area.

Terminal size and gates

The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) in North Carolina has a single terminal with 12 gates covering an area of 280,000 square feet. The terminal, which opened on June 7, 1961, has ample room for passengers and additional aircraft parking space. The airport served over 2.2 million passengers in 2023, a 22% increase from 2022, making it the third busiest airport in North Carolina that year.

The terminal offers a variety of amenities and services for travellers, including a food court, restaurants, stores, vending machines, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, a business centre, a play area for children, baggage storage, and a pet relief area. There is also an ATM service and transportation facilities available at the airport. The airport has TSA and TSA Pre-Check security checkpoints, with the latter expediting screening for eligible passengers.

In August 2023, construction began on a major infrastructure project to expand the terminal's size by 150%. Upon completion, the terminal will have 12 gates instead of 7, with ample room for further expansion. The new design will feature a two-story layout, a grand lobby, improved ticketing and baggage claim areas, a concessions plaza, and enhanced gate areas. The first concourse is expected to be open for passengers in about two years, with the entire project scheduled for completion in 2026.

The Asheville Regional Airport covers 900 acres and has one asphalt runway measuring 8,002 feet by 150 feet. The airport offers direct flights to major hubs, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, and New York, facilitating both domestic and international travel.

Runway length and airport acreage

The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) covers 900 acres of land and has a single asphalt runway. The runway measures 8,002 ft by 150 ft (2,439 m by 46 m). The airport initially opened with a 6,500-foot runway in 1961.

The airport has undergone several expansion projects over the years. A major expansion project was completed in 1992, which expanded the ticket lobby, baggage claim area, and administrative office space. The airport is currently in the midst of another significant expansion and reconstruction, with a projected completion date of 2026. The new terminal will be 150% larger, featuring two stories instead of one and increasing the number of gates from seven to twelve. The project also includes the construction of a new 127-foot air traffic control tower, with a cost of $44 million.

Asheville Regional Airport is conveniently located just 20 to 30 minutes south of downtown Asheville via I-26 and I-240. The airport is easily accessible from nearby cities and has become one of the fastest-growing airports in the country. In 2023, the airport served a record-breaking number of passengers, with 2,246,411 travellers passing through.

The airport serves as a focus city for Allegiant Air, with Airbus A320 family aircraft based there. Additionally, five airlines service the airport: Allegiant, American, Delta, Elite, Spirit, and United. The airport offers non-stop flights to over 20 cities, including Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Denver, and New York.

Passenger numbers and growth

The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country. In 2019, it served 1.6 million passengers, and in 2023, it served a record-breaking 2,246,411 passengers, an increase of 22.2% over 2022. This growth can be attributed to the airport's convenient location, just 20 minutes south of downtown Asheville, and its easy accessibility from major cities via two major interstates, I-26 and I-40.

The airport currently has seven gates, but an expansion plan is underway to increase this to 12 gates. The new terminal will be 150% larger than the current one, spanning 280,000 square feet (26,000 square metres). The project also includes the construction of a new 127-foot (39-metre) air traffic control tower, with a total projected cost of $44 million. The expansion is expected to be completed by 2026.

Asheville Regional Airport serves 27 destinations, including six international hubs. Five airlines currently service the airport: Allegiant, American, Delta, Elite, Spirit, and United. These airlines offer non-stop flights to over 20 cities, including Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Denver, New York, Boston, Charlotte, Washington, and Philadelphia. The airport also has connecting flights to many major hubs, providing travellers with a range of flight options.

The airport's growth is further evidenced by the variety of aircraft that have visited over the years. In 1987, a Concorde supersonic transport (SST) visited during a promotional tour and was snowed in overnight. Chartered Boeing 747s, operated by United Airlines, have also visited the airport, as has an Airbus A340 during the visit of Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1996. In April 2010, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama landed in a Boeing C-32, and in October 2011, President Obama returned in a Boeing VC-25 to kick off his North Carolina and Virginia bus tour.

Airlines and destinations served

The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is served by a number of airlines, including:

• Allegiant
• American
• Delta
• JetBlue
• Sun Country
• United

The airport offers daily non-stop flights to and from 27 destinations, including 20+ cities across the United States. Some of these destinations include:

• Atlanta
• Dallas
• Chicago
• Denver
• New York
• Boston
• Charlotte
• Washington
• Philadelphia
• 8 cities in Florida, including Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa

The airport has also accommodated chartered flights and special visitors in the past. In 1996, an Airbus A340 visited the airport during the visit of Charles, Prince of Wales, to the nearby Biltmore Estate. In 2010, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama landed in Asheville aboard a Boeing C-32, and in 2011, President Obama returned on a Boeing VC-25.

Frequently asked questions