Roberta Aguirre
Roanoke, Virginia is home to the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, which is located within five miles of downtown Roanoke. The airport has a rich history, evolving from a pair of dirt runways and a single hangar after World War I to a modern airport with two runways and an average of 116 operations daily. The airport offers daily nonstop flights to eight major cities and is served by major airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta. With its convenient location and range of amenities, the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport provides easy access to the unique attractions and outdoor adventures that the Roanoke Valley has to offer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport |
| IATA | ROA |
| ICAO | KROA |
| FAA LID | ROA |
| Other name | Woodrum Field |
| Location | 3 miles northwest of downtown Roanoke, Virginia, United States |
| Distance from downtown Roanoke | 5 miles |
| Airlines | American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, Allegiant Air |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Number of daily operations | 116 |
| Area | 912 acres |
| Number of daily scheduled flights | 40+ |
| Number of nonstop destinations | 8 major cities |
| Number of nonstop destinations (total) | 9 |
| Attractions | Complimentary Wi-Fi, cafes, Hudson News stores |
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What You'll Learn
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport history
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is located within five miles of downtown Roanoke, Virginia, United States. The airport is governed by the five-member Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, which includes representatives from the city and county of Roanoke.
The history of the airport dates back to the time after World War I. In the 1920s, Roanoke Mayor Charles D. Fox wanted to expand the city's transportation to include air travel. In 1929, 136 acres of farmland owned by the Clayton family was leased to the City of Roanoke, and developers Lemon and Frank Reynolds obtained a permit to build the Roanoke Municipal Airport. The original facility had a single hangar and a pair of dirt runways. The airport was then privately operated until 1937 when the city of Roanoke took control of the facility.
In 1941, the airport was declared a national defense project, and federal funds became available to complete the facility. It was officially dedicated on December 15, 1941, and named Woodrum Field in honor of Clifton A. Woodrum, the congressional representative from Virginia's Sixth District. Passenger services began after World War II in 1945, with Eastern, American, and Piedmont Airlines as the major carriers.
Over the years, the airport underwent various renovations and upgrades. In 1953, a terminal was built to meet airline requirements and cater to the increasing number of passengers. The largest upgrade occurred in 1989, with a budget of $25 million to add concealed jetways, restaurants, parking lots, and more. In 2014, the airport changed its name to Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport.
Today, the airport offers more than 40 scheduled flights daily, providing nonstop service to eight major cities. The major airlines that fly out of Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, and Allegiant Air.
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Airlines that fly from Roanoke
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is located within five miles of downtown Roanoke, Virginia, United States. The airport offers more than 40 scheduled flights daily, providing nonstop service from Roanoke to eight major cities.
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 from Roanoke to Washington, D.C. (IAD) are offered by United, while American and Delta Airlines offer direct flights to New York LaGuardia (LGA).
Allegiant Air offers nonstop service to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport twice a week, with additional nonstop cities served by Roanoke including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Sanford-Orlando, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Washington, D.C. (Dulles).
American Airlines offers direct flights from Roanoke to Charlotte (CLT), while Delta provides nonstop service to Atlanta.
With a variety of major airlines serving the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, travellers can easily plan itineraries that fit their needs and efficiently reach their destinations.
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Facilities and amenities at Roanoke airport
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, also known as Roanoke Airport or Roanoke Woodrum Field Airport, is located around three miles from downtown Roanoke, Virginia. The airport has a range of facilities and amenities for passengers, visitors, and people picking up friends or family.
The airport has one terminal building with two levels and 12 gates. The terminal has check-in counters, baggage claim, and security checkpoints. Gates 1-6 are located on the lower level, while gates 7-12 are on the upper level. The airport provides accessible parking, restrooms, and wheelchair assistance for travellers with special needs.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, and there are multiple cafes and restaurants offering a variety of food and beverages, including Starbucks and Blue Ridge Kitchen Co. There are also drink and snack vending machines in the rental car facility. For last-minute travel needs, there is a Hudson News store, and for those who need to get some work done, there are small work desks and electrical outlets located along the second-floor balcony outside security.
For those picking someone up from the airport, there is a free Cell Phone Waiting Area where you can park until your passenger is ready for pickup. There are also several hotels located near the airport, offering a range of amenities and complimentary shuttle services.
The airport is governed by the five-member Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, which includes representatives from the city and county of Roanoke. With a history dating back to the time following World War I, the airport has evolved from a pair of dirt runways and a single hangar to a modern airport with two paved runways and an average of 116 operations per day.
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Accidents associated with Roanoke airport
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (IATA: ROA, ICAO: KROA, FAA LID: ROA), also known as Woodrum Field, is located in Virginia, United States, within 3-5 miles of downtown Roanoke. The airport has a long history, dating back to the time after World War I when it was just a pair of dirt runways and a single hangar. Today, the airport offers more than 40 scheduled flights daily to major cities like New York, Atlanta, and Chicago, serving hundreds of thousands of passengers each year.
Over the years, Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport has witnessed a few notable accidents, the most tragic being the collision of Piedmont Airlines Flight 22 with a Cessna 310 on July 19, 1967. The Piedmont Boeing 727 was en route from Asheville, North Carolina, to Roanoke when the accident occurred, resulting in 82 fatalities and no survivors. This accident marked the deadliest associated with the airport and prompted discussions about runway expansion and facility upgrades.
In the years following the tragic collision, the airport underwent a transformation. In the early 1980s, runway expansion began to accommodate larger jets, and the airport was renamed from Roanoke Municipal Airport to Roanoke Regional Airport in 1983. The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities, with a Master Plan approved in the mid-1980s allocating millions of dollars for a new terminal building and other enhancements.
While not specifically associated with the airport itself, another incident occurred in the region in 1972. A small plane crashed in the mountains near Roanoke, Virginia, killing all 75 people on board. This accident brought attention to the need for improved safety measures and emergency response capabilities in the region.
The airport has a strong safety record, with no recent major accidents or incidents reported. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) includes the airport in its National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021-2025, categorizing it as a non-hub primary commercial service facility, reflecting its importance and safety standards.
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Roanoke airport's runway expansion
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is located around three miles (or five kilometres) northwest of downtown Roanoke, Virginia, in the independent city's borders. The airport has a long history, dating back to the time after World War I when it was just a pair of dirt runways and a single hangar. Today, it offers more than 40 scheduled flights daily to eight major cities.
The airport has two runways, with the longer one measuring 6,800 feet (2,100 metres) by 150 feet (46 metres), and the other measuring 5,810 feet (1,770 metres) by 150 feet (46 metres). Runway expansion has been a significant consideration for the airport over the years, with a proposal for expansion first developed in 1975. However, this proposal was put on hold while a new regional airport was being studied. The expansion finally commenced in the early 1980s to accommodate larger jets, and it was completed in 1985, with 900 feet (270 metres) added to the east end of the runway.
The expansion in the 1980s was not the first time the airport's runways had been modified. In fact, the airport's history includes several changes to its runways. For instance, in 1950, Roanoke had three runways: a 3,730-foot runway 5, a 3,910-foot runway 9, and a 4,270-foot runway 15. By 1962, runway 5 had been extended to 5,427 feet, and by 1965, runway 15 was 5,800 feet long. Runway 9 was closed around 1970, and by 1981, runway 5 was the longest, at 5,903 feet.
Despite the runway expansion in the 1980s, the airport continues to face challenges due to its limited capacity. The short runway length, coupled with the surrounding mountains, restricts the size of commercial jets that can operate at the airport. This has resulted in a limited number of airlines serving the airport and relatively fewer destinations being served.
To address these issues, the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission has explored various options, including issuing bonds to fund expansion and attract new airlines. However, the decision to expand is contingent on demonstrating sufficient new passenger traffic to generate revenue and repay any debts incurred. Local officials also recognise the potential economic benefits of increased airline service, which could justify public subsidies for expansion.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is located within five miles of downtown Roanoke, Virginia.
The airport is located within a 10-minute drive or five miles from downtown Roanoke.
The airport has two runways.
The major airlines that fly out of the airport include American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta. Allegiant Air also provides full-sized jets and frequent service to Florida.
The airport offers complimentary Wi-Fi, multiple cafes with a variety of food and beverage options, and Hudson News stores for last-minute travel needs.
