Ruth Haines
Williamsburg, Virginia, is served by several airports within a 45-mile radius. The closest is Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, which is 20 miles from the centre of the city and offers domestic flights. This airport has undergone a sustainability project to incorporate green technology into its operations. Other nearby airports include Richmond International Airport and Norfolk International Airport, both 46 miles from Williamsburg, and Reagan Washington Airport, 111.5 miles away.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport |
| IATA | PHF |
| ICAO | KPHF |
| FAA LID | PHF |
| Owner | Peninsula Airport Commission |
| Area | 1,800 acres (728 ha) or 7.3 km2 |
| Distance from Williamsburg, VA | 20 miles |
| Number of passengers (2019) | 431,077 |
| Number of passengers (2023) | 144,966 |
| Headquarters | Orion Air Group |
| Flight instruction provider | Tidewater Flight Center |
| Local squadron | Civil Air Patrol |
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What You'll Learn
Nearest airport: Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
The closest airport to Williamsburg, VA, is Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (IATA: PHF, ICAO: KPHF, FAA LID: PHF). The airport is located in Newport News, Virginia, and is approximately 20 miles from the centre of Williamsburg. It covers 1,800 acres, most of which are in Newport News, with nearly half of the airfield in York County.
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is a relatively small airport, serving the Hampton Roads area, alongside Norfolk International Airport. In 2019, the airport handled 431,077 passengers, a significant drop from previous years due to increased competition from nearby airports. Despite this, it has a variety of airlines operating from its terminals, including United, Piedmont, National, and Allegheny, offering direct flights to destinations such as Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
The airport has a rich history, with Virginia's General Assembly establishing the Peninsula Airport Commission (PAC) in 1946 to determine its location and development. It was originally named the Newport News Airport but was later changed to include Williamsburg, reflecting its service to the region. The airport has also been a pioneer in sustainability, being the first in the nation to implement green technology in all facets of its operations.
In addition to its domestic flight services, the airport has a U.S. Customs facility, enabling international arrivals. The facility, located in Concourse A, includes a Federal Inspection Station, ensuring efficient processing for international travellers. The airport is also home to various organisations, such as the Orion Air Group, which has its world headquarters there, and the Tidewater Flight Centre, providing flight instruction from the original terminal building.
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Other nearby airports
Williamsburg, Virginia, is served by several airports within a 45-mile radius. The closest airport to the city is Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (IATA: PHF, ICAO: KPHF, FAA LID: PHF), which is located 20 miles from the city centre. This airport has domestic flights from Newport News, Virginia, and handled 144,966 passengers in 2023.
There are several other nearby airports, including:
- Richmond International Airport (RIC / KRIC): 46 miles from Williamsburg, offering both international and domestic flights.
- Norfolk International Airport (ORF / KORF): 46 miles from Williamsburg, offering domestic flights.
- Joint Base Langley-Eustis (LFI / KLFI): Located 31 miles from Williamsburg, in Hampton, VA.
- Naval Station Norfolk (NGU / KNGU): 43 miles from Williamsburg, in Norfolk, VA.
- Chesapeake Regional Airport: 60 miles from Williamsburg, in Chesapeake, VA.
- Naval Air Station Oceana (NTU / KNTU): 61 miles from Williamsburg, in Virginia Beach, VA.
- Franklin Municipal-John Beverly Rose Airport (FKN / KFKN): 69 miles from Williamsburg, in Franklin, VA.
In addition, Reagan Washington Airport (DCA) is approximately 111.5 miles from Williamsburg, and it takes around 4 hours and 29 minutes to travel between the two by train.
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Passenger numbers
While there is no airport in Williamsburg, Virginia, the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (IATA: PHF, ICAO: KPHF, FAA LID: PHF) is the closest major airport to the city, located 20 miles from its centre. The airport is owned and operated by the Peninsula Airport Commission, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It covers 1,800 acres, most of which are in the city of Newport News, with nearly half of the airfield in York County.
In 2019, the airport handled 431,077 passengers, a significant drop from its previous numbers. By 2023, the number of passengers had further declined to 144,966. This decrease can be attributed to the loss of the dominant air carrier AirTran in 2012 and the competition from low-cost airlines at nearby airports like Richmond International Airport and Norfolk International Airport.
Historically, the airport served as America's fastest-growing airport in 1985 and 1986 due to strategic developments implemented by its executive director, Charles J. Blankenship. In the early 1970s, four airlines served the airport with nonstop or direct flights, including Allegheny, National, Piedmont, and United.
Today, the airport continues to serve domestic flights from Newport News, Virginia, and has undergone various developments, including the addition of a US Customs facility to accommodate international arrivals. However, it faces competition from other airports in the region, such as Richmond International Airport, 46 miles from Williamsburg, and Norfolk International Airport, 46 miles away, which offer both domestic and international flights.
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Airlines serving the airport
Williamsburg, Virginia, is served by several airports within a 45-mile radius. The closest of these is Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, located in Newport News, Virginia. This airport covers 1,800 acres, with most of it in Newport News and nearly half of the airfield in York County.
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport has a history of airline service dating back to the 1970s. In early 1976, four airlines operated at the airport, offering nonstop or direct flights without the need for a plane change:
- Allegheny: They operated McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 jets from Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, and Providence.
- National: This airline used Boeing 727-100 and 727-200 jets, connecting New York JFK Airport, Washington DC National Airport, and Norfolk with the airport.
- Piedmont: They utilised NAMC YS-11 turboprops, offering flights from various destinations, including Atlanta, Columbus (OH), Florence (SC), New Bern (NC), Norfolk, Parkersburg (WV), Richmond (VA), Roanoke (VA), and Washington DC National Airport.
- United: United Airlines, one of the popular choices for travellers to Williamsburg, employed Boeing 727-100 and Boeing 737-200 jets. They connected the airport with Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare Airport, Moline (IL), and Washington DC National Airport.
Over the years, the airport has experienced changes in airlines and passenger numbers. In 2019, the airport handled 431,077 passengers, but this number decreased to 144,966 in 2023. The loss of AirTran, a dominant air carrier, in 2012, and competition from low-cost airlines at nearby airports have contributed to a significant drop in annual passenger numbers.
Today, travellers to Williamsburg can choose from eight airlines, including American Airlines and United Airlines, that connect the region with 36 airports worldwide. These airlines offer flexible change policies and deals, making it convenient for travellers to book flights that suit their preferences and budgets.
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Airport history
Williamsburg, Virginia, is served by the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (IATA: PHF, ICAO: KPHF, FAA LID: PHF). The airport is located in Newport News, Virginia, and serves the Hampton Roads area, along with Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk. The airport covers 1,800 acres, with most of it in Newport News and nearly half of the airfield in York County.
The history of the airport dates back to 1946 when Virginia's General Assembly established the Peninsula Airport Commission (PAC) to determine a location for a new airport for the cities of Newport News and Hampton. The airport was initially served by various airlines offering nonstop or direct flights with jets and turboprops. Over the years, the airport has seen changes in carriers and services, with a decline in passenger numbers since 2011 due to competition from low-cost airlines at nearby airports.
In 1984, the hiring of Charles J. Blankenship as executive director marked a turnaround for the airport. Blankenship implemented a strategic plan that included developing a business park and a marketing campaign to attract air carriers. As a result, the airport became America's fastest-growing airport in 1985 and 1986. On December 19, 1980, the Daily Press reported that a committee recommended changing the airport's name to "Newport News/Williamsburg International," which officially took place in 1990.
The airport has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years. A new terminal opened in late 1992, and in 2011, Tidewater Flight Center opened a second location at the airport, providing flight instruction. Newport News–Williamsburg International Airport was the first airport in the nation to undergo a sustainability project, incorporating green technology into its operations. In 2020, however, the airport faced challenges due to declining revenue and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in layoffs of administrative staff.
In addition to Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, there are two other airports within a 45-mile radius of Williamsburg, VA, including the Waltrip Williamsburg Executive Airport (JGG) and the Williamsburg Jamestown Airport. These airports offer alternative options for travellers and contribute to the aviation infrastructure in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
The closest major airport to Williamsburg, Virginia, is the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, located 20 miles from the city centre.
The airport covers 1,800 acres, most of it in the city of Newport News, and nearly half of the airfield with runways 20 and 25 in York County.
The airport handled 144,966 passengers in 2023, a drop of more than 85% in the annual number of passengers since 2011.
Other airports within a 45-mile radius of Williamsburg, Virginia, include the Richmond International Airport and the Norfolk International Airport, both located 46 miles from the city.
