Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport: Size, Scale, And Reach Explored

The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is a regional airport located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just 5 miles from downtown Roanoke, Virginia. The airport covers 912 acres and has two runways, with an average of 116 operations per day and approximately 40 scheduled flights arriving and departing daily. The airport offers nonstop service to eight or nine major cities, with connecting service to numerous destinations across the US and internationally. The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is the only full-service airport in western Virginia and is easily accessible by bus, car, and ridesharing services.

Location and surroundings

The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is located within the City of Roanoke in Virginia, United States. It is situated within a 10-minute drive of Downtown Roanoke, approximately three miles (5 km) northwest of the city centre. The airport is nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a unique setting for travellers.

The airport is conveniently located near several points of interest. It is the closest commercial airport to the New River Valley, including nearby towns such as Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford University. The airport is also within close proximity to Virginia Tech, a prominent university in the region. The distance between the university in Blacksburg and the airport in Roanoke is approximately a 30-minute drive, depending on traffic conditions.

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is well-connected to the surrounding areas. The Smart Way Bus service provides transportation to downtown Roanoke, as well as nearby destinations such as Salem, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, and Virginia Tech. This bus service operates Monday through Saturday, making it a convenient option for travellers. Additionally, local bus services like Valley Metro's Route 25 provide connectivity to the airport during specific hours of the day.

The airport is easily accessible from various parts of Virginia and offers convenient travel options to its passengers. It is served by major airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta, providing nonstop service to eight major cities across the United States. With its convenient location, modern facilities, and efficient transportation links, Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport caters to the travel needs of the region effectively.

Transport links

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is located within 5 miles of downtown Roanoke, Virginia, United States. It is approximately a 10-minute drive from the city centre. The airport covers 912 acres of land and has two runways.

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport offers over 40 scheduled flights daily to eight major cities. The airport is served by major airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta, which operate direct flights to cities like New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Atlanta. Allegiant Air also operates full-sized jets with frequent service to Florida.

For ground transportation, the airport provides access to car rental services from companies like Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National/Alamo, and Hertz/Dollar. The rental car desks are conveniently located in an attached facility, connected to the main terminal by a walkway.

Additionally, the Smart Way Bus service connects the airport to nearby locations. This bus service operates Monday through Saturday and links the airport to downtown Roanoke, Salem, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, and Virginia Tech. The bus stop for the Smart Way Bus is located outside the eastern end of the terminal, and tickets can be purchased for $4 cash (exact change).

The airport is easily accessible and provides a range of transportation options for travellers, ensuring convenient connections to various destinations.

Airlines and destinations

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport offers more than 40 scheduled flights daily, providing nonstop service to nine cities, with connecting service to countless destinations across the U.S. and around the world. The airport's nine nonstop destinations include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, New York City (LGA), Philadelphia, Sanford-Orlando, Sarasota Bradenton, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Washington, D.C. (Dulles).

Direct flights are available to eight international hubs with one-stop service to over 70 international cities and over 400 domestic destinations. The major airlines that fly out of Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport daily include American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta. Allegiant Air also provides full-sized jets and frequent service to Florida. Direct flights are available from Roanoke to Charlotte (CLT) on American Airlines, to New York LaGuardia (LGA) on American and Delta Airlines, and to Washington, D.C. (IAD) on United.

The airport is also served by the Smart Way Bus, which operates Monday through Saturday and connects the airport to other points of interest in Virginia's Blue Ridge, including Downtown Roanoke, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute. Tickets for the Smart Way Bus are $4 cash (exact change). The airport is located within five miles (less than a 10-minute drive) of Downtown Roanoke and is surrounded by a variety of accommodations.

Terminal facilities

The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is located within five miles (less than a 10-minute drive) of Downtown Roanoke, Virginia, in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge. The airport covers 912 acres (369 ha) and has two runways, with an average of 116 operations per day.

The terminal building was completed in 1989, with the control tower following in 2005. The tower stands at 197 feet (60 m) tall and has been operational since its commission by the FAA in December 2004. The Roanoke air traffic control facility includes a TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) that provides air traffic services for several nearby locations, including Lynchburg and New London.

The airport offers more than 40 scheduled flights daily, providing nonstop service from Roanoke, Virginia, to eight major cities. These include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, New York City (LGA), Philadelphia, Sanford-Orlando, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Washington, D.C. (both Dulles and IAD). Direct flights are available to eight international hubs, with one-stop service to over 70 international cities and over 400 domestic destinations.

The terminal was designed with expansion in mind, and while there has been talk of expansion, no plans have been announced as of yet. The airport has a pair of runways, with the longer one measuring 6,800 feet (2,100 m) in length and 150 feet (46 m) in width, and the other measuring 5,810 feet (1,770 m) in length and 150 feet (46 m) in width.

History and development

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (IATA: ROA, ICAO: KROA, FAA LID: ROA) (Woodrum Field) is located within five miles of downtown Roanoke, Virginia, United States. The airport is about three miles (c. 5 km) northwest of downtown Roanoke but is still within the independent city's borders.

The idea of opening an airport in the Roanoke Valley became a priority for local leaders after World War I. Roanoke Mayor Charles D. Fox wanted to expand the city's transportation to include air travel, so he recruited experts to scout an aviation field for the city. In 1929, they found 136 acres of farmland owned by the Clayton family, which was leased to the City of Roanoke. Developers Lemon and Frank Reynolds obtained a permit to build the Roanoke Municipal Airport, and dirt runways were laid for the 11 pilots that used the landing space. The original facility had a single 83 ft x 100 ft hangar and a pair of dirt runways. The airport was initially privately operated, but the city of Roanoke took control of the facility in 1937 after purchasing the original hangar. Works Progress Administration funds were used to pave the runways.

The first airline service commenced in 1933 when Ludington Airlines made Roanoke a stop on their New York-Nashville route. By 1934, American Airlines began service to Roanoke, but they moved their operations to Lynchburg in 1937 due to poor conditions. After American's withdrawal, city leaders determined a new facility was needed. The airport was declared a national defense project, making federal funds available to complete the facility. On December 15, 1941, it was officially dedicated and named Woodrum Field in honour of Clifton A. Woodrum, the congressional representative from Virginia's Sixth District.

After the war, in 1945, passenger services began, hosting Eastern, American, and Piedmont Airlines. Notably, Piedmont flew their iconic DC-3 silver planes as Roanoke became a transfer hub for connecting flights on the east coast. In 1953, the city built a terminal to meet the strict airline requirements and cater to the influx of guests travelling to and from the Star City. The airport underwent many renovations, including one in 1963 and another in 1974, but the largest upgrade came in 1989 with a budget of $25 million to add concealed jetways, restaurants, parking lots, and more. The current terminal debuted in September 1989.

In 1999, the FAA announced that they were restarting the Roanoke project, paving the way for the construction of a new tower. The present tower is 197 feet (60 m) in height and has been operational since its commission by the FAA on December 5, 2004. It was officially dedicated on May 16, 2005, in honour of former Roanoke air traffic manager John Hinkle.

In 2007, the prospect of changing the airport's name was proposed by the Airport Commission. The airport debuted its new name, the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, in 2014. The airport is served by the Smart Way Bus, which connects it to other points of interest in Virginia's Blue Ridge, including downtown Roanoke, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute.

Frequently asked questions