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Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF) is located seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, United States. Despite its name, the airport does not offer any direct international flights. The airport covers 1,300 acres of land and is equipped with one main runway and a crosswind runway. The Norfolk Airport Authority has undertaken several improvement projects, including runway rehabilitation, terminal development, and the addition of various amenities to enhance the passenger experience. With an annual passenger count of over two million, Norfolk International Airport is a significant aviation hub in the region, serving cities throughout Coastal Virginia and northeast North Carolina.
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What You'll Learn
- Norfolk International Airport is ranked 65th busiest in the US
- The airport has no international destinations
- Norfolk Airport Authority is improving terminals, concourses and facilities
- The airport covers 1,300 acres, with a main runway and a crosswind runway
- There is no bus or shuttle service to and from the airport
Norfolk International Airport is ranked 65th busiest in the US
Norfolk International Airport
Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF) is located within the independent city of Norfolk, Virginia, United States. It is situated about seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk. The airport is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority, a bureau under the municipal government. Norfolk International Airport serves the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of southeast Virginia, along with the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News. Despite bearing the name "international," there are no regular international flights operating from the airport.
Norfolk International Airport has a significant history in commercial aviation. In 1926, Norfolk's first commercial flights were operated by Philadelphia Rapid Transit Air Service, Inc., offering round-trip flights to Washington and Philadelphia. However, this service was short-lived due to high costs. Subsequently, in 1929, Ben Epstein, a World War I veteran pilot, established an air taxi service between Norfolk and Richmond, and the Ludington Line commenced the first daily scheduled service to Washington, D.C. During this era, air travel was a special occasion, with passengers dressing in their finest attire.
The airport has undergone several name changes and expansions over the years. In 1938, the city-owned Truxton Manor Golf Course was converted into Norfolk Municipal Airport, featuring a 3,500-foot runway. This site became the permanent home of commercial air travel in southern Tidewater. During World War II, the airport played a crucial role, with the Army Air Corps taking over operations and expanding the facilities to accommodate increased flights. After the war, commercial travel resumed, and in 1948, Piedmont Airlines began operations, coinciding with the construction of a modern terminal building.
In the 1950s, Norfolk Municipal Airport was one of the nation's busiest and finest airports, adapting well to the transition from propeller-driven aircraft to jets. In 1968, it was officially recognised as the region's air transportation centre and renamed Norfolk Regional Airport. The airport continued to expand and improve its facilities over the following decades, including the construction of a new general aviation facility, air cargo terminal, and expanded parking in the 1980s. In 1995, the FAA Norfolk Air Traffic Control Tower was built, standing at 134 feet (41 m) tall.
As of 2022, Norfolk International Airport is ranked as the 65th busiest airport in the United States and the third busiest in Virginia in terms of annual passenger traffic, with an enplanement count of 2,065,116 people. The airport handles about 1,100 aircraft movements per day and offers daily arrivals and departures to major cities throughout the country. It has two passenger concourses, Concourse A and Concourse B, serving various major airlines. The airport covers 1,300 acres (530 hectares) of land and features a main runway of 9,001 feet (2,744 m) in length, along with a crosswind runway.
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The airport has no international destinations
Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF) is located about seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, United States. Despite its name and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the airport does not currently offer any direct flights to international destinations.
Norfolk International Airport primarily serves the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina. The airport covers 1,300 acres (530 hectares) and is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority, a bureau under the municipal government. While the airport bears the name "international", it does not have any regularly scheduled international flights or destinations.
The absence of international flights at Norfolk International Airport can be attributed to several factors. One significant reason is the size of the regional population. The area surrounding the airport, particularly to the east, has a relatively small population compared to other metropolitan areas. With the Atlantic Ocean lying to the east, there is a limited population that could potentially utilise the airport for international travel. As a result, the demand for large, ocean-crossing airplanes to destinations in Europe is not substantial enough to warrant direct international flights from this airport.
Additionally, Norfolk International Airport has faced some infrastructure challenges. The airport has one main runway that is 9,001 feet long and suitable for scheduled passenger jets. There is also a shorter crosswind runway, which is occasionally used by small planes under specific wind conditions. However, safety concerns have been raised regarding this crosswind runway due to its lack of compliance with Federal safety regulations requiring a 1,000-foot safety zone. While there have been proposals to build a second runway to enhance safety and accommodate increasing demand, these plans have not yet come to fruition.
Despite not having any international destinations, Norfolk International Airport handles a significant volume of air traffic. The airport accommodates approximately 1,100 aircraft movements per day and serves as a vital hub for domestic travel in the region. The airport is undergoing continuous improvements and renovations to enhance the passenger experience, with capital development projects planned for 2024 and beyond. These projects include runway rehabilitation, enhancements to pedestrian bridges, terminal development, and the expansion of concourses and customer service facilities.
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Norfolk Airport Authority is improving terminals, concourses and facilities
Norfolk International Airport, located about seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk, is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority. The airport covers 1,300 acres (530 hectares) of land and is at an elevation of 27 feet (8.2 m). It has two passenger concourses: Concourse A (gates A1–A11) and Concourse B (gates B16–B30).
The Norfolk Airport Authority has been working to improve the airport's terminals, concourses, and facilities. As part of a multi-phase plan, the Authority aims to enhance airport terminals, the general aviation terminal, dining and retail facilities, in-airport advertising, and customer service. This includes ongoing renovations and improvements to enhance the passenger experience, with capital development projects planned beyond 2024.
The Authority has updated the Master Plan to include projects that will extend the airport's lifespan and value, ensuring it meets the region's air transportation needs for the next 20 years. This includes the addition of a third concourse, reconstructing existing concourses to centralize security, expanding general aviation, and improving traffic circulation with reconfigured roadways. The plan also includes expanding air cargo facilities and making airfield improvements.
Other improvements include the installation of moving walkways on the pedestrian bridge, runway rehabilitation, terminal development, and the expansion of Concourse A. A Federal Inspection Services Facility and an Airport Hotel are also in the works. The airport's long-term plan includes the construction of a parallel runway (5R-23L) east of the main runway (5–23).
The Norfolk Airport Authority's mission is to connect the community with the world by safely, reliably, and efficiently operating Norfolk International Airport. With a history dating back to 1938, the airport has undergone various improvements and expansions over the years, including adapting to the transition from propeller-driven aircraft to jets in the 1960s.
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The airport covers 1,300 acres, with a main runway and a crosswind runway
Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF) covers 1,300 acres of land, with a main runway and a crosswind runway. The airport is located seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk, within the boundaries of the independent city in Virginia, United States. It is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority, a bureau under the municipal government. Norfolk International Airport serves a wide area throughout Coastal Virginia, including the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News. The area is a popular vacation destination, attracting millions of visitors and supporting 48,000 jobs in the tourism industry.
The main runway, designated as 5–23, spans 9,001 feet in length and 150 feet in width (2,744 by 46 meters). This runway underwent a significant $65 million rehabilitation project between 2018 and 2024, ensuring its surface is in optimal condition for safe aircraft operations. The crosswind runway, identified as 14–32, measures 4,875 feet in length and 150 feet in width (1,486 by 46 meters). This crosswind runway was temporarily closed for renovations from December 19, 2009, to the spring of 2011.
While the main runway can accommodate a variety of aircraft, including larger jets, the crosswind runway is typically used by smaller planes under certain wind conditions. The shorter crosswind runway has faced some challenges due to safety concerns. It lacked the 1,000-foot safety zones required by Federal regulations, leading to its closure for commercial flights in late 2016. However, it remained open for general aviation flights, although airport consultants considered it only "marginally useful" in accommodating projected demand.
The Norfolk Airport Authority has proposed a long-term plan that includes the construction of a parallel runway to the east of the main runway, which would involve the closure and replacement of the existing crosswind runway. This proposal aims to enhance safety, reliability, and operational efficiency at the airport. The airport has also embarked on a multi-phase improvement plan that encompasses upgrades to terminals, concourses, dining and retail facilities, and customer service enhancements. These ongoing renovations demonstrate the airport's commitment to providing a modern and convenient travel experience for its passengers.
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There is no bus or shuttle service to and from the airport
Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF) is located about seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, United States. Despite its name, the airport does not offer any direct international flights, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) categorised it as a small hub airport in 2022. With a ranking of 65th busiest airport in the US and third busiest in Virginia, the question arises whether there is a bus or shuttle service to and from the airport.
Unfortunately, there is no direct bus or shuttle service available at Norfolk International Airport. However, passengers can find all ground transportation services located in the arrivals terminal, providing various travel options. For those seeking a more economical option, the nearest public bus connection is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away. HRT Route 15 can be boarded at the intersection of Military Highway (Route 165) and Norview Avenue (Route 247), offering an affordable alternative to travellers on a budget.
Several on-site rental car companies are available for those who prefer the convenience of a private vehicle. Additionally, an authorised shuttle service provides door-to-door transportation to the Hampton Roads area, ensuring a comfortable and direct journey. Passengers can also opt for taxi services, with multiple companies operating at the airport. For those who favour ride-sharing options, both Uber and Lyft are available through an agreement with the airport authority.
The airport also offers ample parking facilities to accommodate 7,000 vehicles. A nine-level parking garage adjacent to the arrivals terminal provides 2,800 covered spaces for short-term, long-term, and rental parking needs. Furthermore, the airport announced plans to construct a new 1.09-million-square-foot parking garage in February 2019, demonstrating their commitment to enhancing parking options for travellers. These transportation options effectively compensate for the absence of a dedicated bus or shuttle service directly serving the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is a small-hub airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2022. It is the 65th busiest airport in the US and the third busiest in Virginia.
The airport covers 1,300 acres of land at an elevation of 27 feet.
Norfolk International Airport has one main runway and a crosswind runway. The main runway is 9,001 feet long, and the crosswind runway is 4,875 feet long.
The airport authority has a multi-phase plan for improvements, including runway rehabilitation, a new parallel runway, a pedestrian bridge, terminal development, and an airport hotel.
