Jazmin Li
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is located 9 miles (14km) south of downtown Asheville, North Carolina, and is one of the fastest-growing airports in the US. The airport is easily accessible from all directions and is served by several major airlines, including Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, Sun Country Airlines, and United. With an ongoing expansion and reconstruction project, the airport is set to enhance its facilities and capacity, making it an even more convenient option for travellers visiting the majestic mountain region of Asheville.
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What You'll Learn
The airport's history and development
The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is located near Interstate 26, 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Asheville, North Carolina. The airport is owned by the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority and is one of the best-connected regional airports in the country, with easy connections to hundreds of cities worldwide.
The history of Asheville Regional Airport began in 1959 when the Asheville City Council purchased property in neighbouring Henderson County for the airport's development. The North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill to redesign the boundaries of Buncombe and Henderson counties to include the airport site entirely in Buncombe, allowing Asheville to annex the complete site. The airport opened in 1961 with a 6,500-foot runway, replacing the former airport. Capital Airlines, which later merged into United Airlines, was one of the first airlines to serve the new airport, offering nonstop flights to several destinations in the southeastern United States using Vickers Viscount aircraft.
In 1987, a $20 million expansion and renovation project began, which was completed in 1992. This project expanded the ticket lobby, baggage claim area, and administrative office space. The airport has continued to grow and develop, attracting notable visitors such as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in 2010 and 2011. In 1996, an Airbus A340 visited the airport during the visit of Charles, Prince of Wales, to the nearby Biltmore Estate.
As of 2023, the airport is undergoing significant expansion and reconstruction, with a new terminal building, an increased number of gates, and a new air traffic control tower. The project is expected to be completed by 2026, with a total estimated cost of $400 million. The airport has also been rated as one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States, serving over 2.2 million passengers in 2023.
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Airlines and destinations
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is served by six airlines: Allegiant, American, Delta, JetBlue, Sun Country, and United. The airport offers daily nonstop flights to and from 27 destinations, including numerous international hubs.
American Airlines offers nonstop flights to 7 destinations. The airline also offers flights to O'Hare International Airport, with prices starting at $179 for a round trip. United Airlines also offers flights to O'Hare International Airport, with prices starting at $184 for a round trip. United Airlines also operates chartered flights to Asheville Regional Airport using Boeing 747s.
Other destinations served by Asheville Regional Airport include Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Key West, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Newark, Orlando International, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix, Punta Gorda, Sarasota, St. Pete/Clearwater, and West Palm Beach. Some of these routes are seasonal.
The airport is currently undergoing a major expansion and reconstruction project, with a new terminal scheduled to be completed by 2026. The new terminal will be 150% larger than the current space, with 12 gates instead of the current seven. The project also includes the construction of a new air traffic control tower, which is scheduled for completion in 2025.
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Transport to and from the airport
The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is located 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Asheville, North Carolina, and is easily accessible by plane, car, or bus. Rated as one of the fastest-growing airports in the US, it is conveniently located just 20 minutes away from the city centre. The airport is open 24/7, 365 days a year, and is served by major airlines such as Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, Sun Country Airlines, and United.
Asheville Regional Airport is easily accessible by several transport options:
- Car: The airport is located near Interstate 26 (I-26) at exit 40, and Interstate 40 (I-40) is also nearby. It is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Asheville, and there are multiple car rental services available at the airport, including AVIS, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National Car Rental/Alamo, and Dollar Rent A Car/Thrifty Car Rental.
- Taxi: Taxis are available at the airport for transport to and from Asheville and Hendersonville.
- Limousine: Limousines can be hired for a more luxurious ride to and from the airport.
- Public transportation: There are public transportation options available to and from the airport, providing access to Hendersonville and Asheville.
- Bus: Asheville is accessible by bus, and the city is connected to other major cities through the two major interstates, I-26 and I-40.
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Expansion plans and construction
The Asheville Regional Airport is undergoing a major expansion and modernisation project, with a new terminal building, control tower, and runway improvements.
Asheville Regional Airport is a small-hub primary commercial service facility, owned by the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority (GARAA). The airport has seen continuous growth in passenger numbers, with a record 2,246,411 passengers in 2023, a 22.2% increase over 2022. To accommodate this growth, the GARAA initiated the AVL Forward project, a multi-year, multi-phase expansion and modernisation plan. The project aims to expand and improve the airport's infrastructure, including the terminal building, air traffic control tower, and runway.
The new terminal building will be a significant upgrade, spanning 260,000 to 280,000 square feet, which is approximately 150% larger than the current space. It will feature 12 gates instead of the current seven, providing much-needed additional capacity. The design includes a bright, open lobby, modern ticketing and baggage claim areas, and enhanced gate areas to improve passenger comfort and experience. The terminal will also be more energy-efficient, with LED lighting, a daylight harvesting system, and efficient mechanical and plumbing systems, including low-flow fixtures.
The construction of a new 127-foot air traffic control tower began in 2023 and is scheduled for completion in 2025. This project has a budget of $44 million. As for the runway, a creative, phased approach was necessary as the airport operates with only a single runway. From 2014 to 2015, a temporary runway and west-side taxiway were constructed, allowing for the demolition and reconstruction of the permanent runway without disrupting airport operations. The final phase will involve installing Navaids on the new runway and converting the temporary runway into a permanent west-side taxiway.
The total estimated cost of the expansion project is $400 million, with $175 million in bonds approved by the state treasurer. The project is expected to be completed by 2026, transforming and modernising the Asheville Regional Airport to better serve the region's aviation needs.
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Notable visitors
Asheville Regional Airport has welcomed several notable visitors over the years. In April 2010, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama landed in Asheville aboard a Boeing C-32 for a weekend getaway. President Obama returned to Asheville in October 2011, this time aboard a Boeing VC-25, to kick off his North Carolina and Virginia bus tour promoting his jobs bill. He gave a speech at the airport, highlighting potential enhancements to the airport as part of his jobs initiative. President Obama's final visit to Asheville was on February 13, 2013, when he made a brief stop and delivered a speech at a nearby manufacturing facility.
In 1987, a Concorde supersonic transport (SST) visited Asheville Regional Airport during a promotional tour and was unexpectedly snowed in overnight. The airport has also received chartered Boeing 747s operated by United Airlines and an Airbus A340 during the visit of Charles, Prince of Wales, to the nearby Biltmore Estate in 1996. These visits showcase the airport's capacity to accommodate both scheduled and special charter flights, serving a diverse range of travellers, including heads of state and royalty.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is located 9 miles south of downtown Asheville and is open 24/7, 365 days a year.
Transportation options include taxis, limousines, and public transportation. Rental car services are also available at the airport from companies such as AVIS, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz.
Carriers serving the airport include Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, Sun Country Airlines, and United.
The airport has hosted several notable visitors, including President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in 2010 and 2011. In 1987, a Concorde supersonic transport (SST) visited the airport during a promotional tour and was snowed in overnight.
