Ruth Haines
Worcester Regional Airport (IATA: ORH, ICAO: KORH, FAA LID: ORH) is located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The airport is situated 3 miles (5 km) west of Worcester, with its main property spanning the municipalities of Worcester and Leicester, and supporting facilities in Paxton. The airport's unique location atop Tatnuck Hill provides picturesque takeoffs and landings, making it a popular choice for both business and leisure travellers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Worcester Regional Airport |
| Location | 3 miles (5 km) west of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States |
| Owner | Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) |
| Code | ORH (IATA), KORH (ICAO), ORH (FAA LID) |
| Origin of code | Believed to be derived from "Worcester" |
| Terminals | 1 |
| Gates | 6 |
| Airlines | JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines |
| Ground transportation | Car rentals, taxis, WRTA buses |
| Address | 375 Airport Drive Worcester, MA 01602 |
| Phone | 508-849-5550 |
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What You'll Learn
Worcester Regional Airport's location and history
Worcester Regional Airport (IATA: ORH, ICAO: KORH, FAA LID: ORH) is located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The airport is situated just three miles west of Worcester, with the main property lying within the municipalities of Worcester and Leicester, and supporting facilities in Paxton. The airport is known for its unique location atop Tatnuck Hill, offering picturesque takeoffs and landings.
The history of Worcester's aviation beginnings can be traced back to 1925 when city officials commissioned a study to identify potential sites for the city's first airport. This led to the establishment of an airport by a wealthy local citizen, Whitin Whitall, on his land in North Grafton in 1927. This airport, known as the Grafton Airport, was independently set up by Whitall and featured two runways for leisure travel. However, as air travel gained popularity, the need for airport expansion arose. A second study was commissioned, and the Grafton Airport was deemed too small to meet the region's growing aviation demands.
The present-day site of the Worcester Regional Airport on Tatnuck Hill was chosen despite concerns about fog due to its elevation. Construction on the new airport began in 1944, and it officially opened on May 4, 1946, with regular passenger service commencing shortly after on May 10. That same year, Northeast Airlines operated nonstop Douglas DC-3 services to nearby destinations, including New York Newark Airport, Boston, and Lawrence, Massachusetts.
The airport has undergone several changes in ownership and operations over the years. It was once owned by the City of Worcester but has been owned and operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) since June 2010. Worcester Regional Airport has also seen various airlines come and go, including Allegiant Air, Direct Air, Virgin America, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and JetBlue Airways. Despite some challenges and adjustments, the airport continues to serve the region, providing convenient travel options for both business and leisure travellers.
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Airlines and destinations
Worcester Regional Airport (IATA: ORH, ICAO: KORH, FAA LID: ORH) is located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The airport is situated 3 miles (5 km) west of Worcester, with its main property lying within the municipalities of Worcester and Leicester, and supporting facilities in Paxton. The airport's code, ORH, is believed to be derived from the word "Worcester", with the "H" possibly being arbitrary as the letter "W" cannot be used as the first letter of the identifier for airports in the United States.
Worcester Regional Airport is served by several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways, which is the airport's largest airline by the number of departures, operating around 15 scheduled flights each week. The airport offers flights to 5 destinations through 3 airlines in scheduled passenger traffic. The most popular route is to Orlando (MCO), with 8 flights departing from Worcester Regional Airport weekly, accounting for 27% of all weekly departures. Other destinations served by the airport include Fort Myers (RSW), with a flight time of about 3 hours and 21 minutes.
In addition to scheduled passenger flights, Worcester Regional Airport has also accommodated charter and seasonal flights. Allegiant Air previously offered flights to Orlando/Sanford, Florida (SFB) from December 2005, expanding to four flights per week in March 2006. However, Allegiant Air discontinued its services in August 2006 due to high fuel costs and passenger load concerns. Direct Air announced its intention to serve Worcester Regional Airport in November 2008, operating flights to Orlando/Sanford, Florida, and Fort Myers/Punta Gorda, Florida, using Virgin America's Airbus A320 aircraft.
The airport has a single terminal building with two levels, catering to both departures and arrivals. The terminal is easily accessible, and passengers can conveniently walk from the parking lot to the terminal. The upper level is dedicated to departures, while the lower level handles arrivals. The terminal features a total of 6 gates, with 4 gates on the upper level and 2 on the lower level. Various ground transportation options are available at the airport, including car rental services from major providers and taxi services with drop-off areas outside the terminal.
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Terminal facilities and amenities
Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) is a mere three miles west of Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. The airport is known for its unique location atop Tatnuck Hill, offering picturesque takeoffs and landings. The airport has one terminal building with two levels—the upper level is for departures and the lower level for arrivals. The terminal has six gates, with four on the upper level and two on the lower level. The terminal building is relatively small, but it offers a variety of services and amenities for travellers.
The terminal has several food and beverage options, including a café and a bar. For travellers looking to grab some last-minute gifts or travel essentials, the airport also has a gift shop. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal building, making it convenient for travellers to stay connected. The airport also offers various ground transportation options, including car rental services from major providers such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz, with rental car counters located conveniently in the terminal building.
For those seeking a more economical parking option, off-airport parking lots are available near ORH, offering shuttle services to and from the airport. The airport also has taxi services readily available, with drop-off areas outside the terminal building. Worcester Regional Airport is served by major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways, which operate from gates 1 to 4 on the upper level.
The airport is easily accessible, with a smooth journey from start to finish. Passengers can walk from the parking lot to the terminal in just a few minutes. The airport also has a baggage claim area and a TSA-installed passenger and baggage screening system, ensuring a safe and secure travel experience. Worcester Regional Airport offers a seamless and enjoyable experience with its efficient services and modern amenities, catering to both business and leisure travellers.
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Ground transportation and parking
Worcester Regional Airport (IATA: ORH, ICAO: KORH, FAA LID: ORH) is located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, 3 miles (5 km) west of Worcester. The airport's code is believed to have originated from the word "Worcester", as the letter "W" cannot be used as the first letter of airport identifiers in the United States, and "ORC" was already assigned to another airport.
Worcester Regional Airport offers convenient and affordable parking options for travellers. The airport has two parking lots, Lot A and Lot B, which are both located within a short walking distance of the terminal. Lot A is adjacent to the terminal, providing easy access for long-term parking. It also has accessible parking spaces available with a valid disability placard or license plate, as well as four EV charging stations for airport customers. Lot B is a short walk from the terminal but requires the use of stairs, so it may not be suitable for passengers with limited mobility. Both lots offer the same rates: short-term parking under 24 hours is free, daily parking is $7, and the weekly rate is $42 for the first full week. Payments can be made via credit card at kiosks inside the terminal and at the parking lot exits; cash is not accepted.
In addition to parking, the airport provides rental car services and cabs for local transportation. The airport is served by cab companies such as New Worcester Yellow Cab, Inc., and Mr. Speed Transport.
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Accidents and incidents
Worcester Regional Airport (IATA: ORH, ICAO: KORH, FAA LID: ORH) is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Worcester, in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The airport's code is believed to have originated from the word "Worcester", as "W" cannot be used as the first letter of the identifier for airports in the United States, and "ORC" was already assigned to Orange City Municipal Airport near Sioux City, Iowa.
2015 Crash During Takeoff
On October 25, 2015, Dr. Gary Weller crashed his light Mooney M20M plane into the nearby woods while attempting to take off in cold weather from Runway 11. The crash was caused by a mechanical crankshift failure, resulting in engine power loss and subsequent stall. Dr. Weller died at the scene, and while there were no ground injuries, the crash occurred just south of the airport.
2021 Emergency Landing Crash
On February 2, 2021, a Piper PA-46 aircraft from Martha's Vineyard crashed in nearby Leicester while attempting an emergency landing at ORH. Unfortunately, no further information was provided regarding casualties or the specific circumstances leading up to the crash.
Historical Context of Aviation Accidents and Incidents
It is worth noting that aviation accidents and incidents have a long history, with one of the earliest recorded aviation accidents occurring in 1785 when a hot air balloon crashed in Tullamore, Ireland. The first accident involving a powered aircraft happened in 1908 when a Wright Model A aircraft crashed at Fort Myer, Virginia, injuring Orville Wright and killing his passenger, Thomas Selfridge.
Since then, numerous accidents and incidents have occurred, with various factors contributing to them, including mechanical failures, weather conditions, human errors, and external threats such as bomb explosions.
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Frequently asked questions
ORH stands for Worcester Regional Airport.
The airport code is believed to have originated from the word "Worcester". "W" cannot be used as the first letter of the identifier for airports in the United States, and ORC was already assigned to Orange City Municipal Airport in Iowa.
The address of the airport is 375 Airport Drive Worcester, MA 01602.
Some of the major airlines that operate at the airport include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways.
There are a variety of parking options available at the airport, including on-site and off-site parking. Off-site parking lots offer shuttle services to and from the airport and can be a more economical option.
