Asheville Airport: Reopening Timeline And What To Expect

when will the asheville airport reopen

As of October 2024, the Asheville Regional Airport is open and operational following the devastation of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. The airport has been serving as a military hub, providing relief to the region. Commercial air traffic remains unaffected, but passengers are encouraged to check their flight status before arriving at the airport. Rental car companies are operational daily from 8 am to 7 pm, and rentals must be pre-booked online.

Characteristics Values
Date of Reopening 29th September 2024
Time of Reopening Morning
Airlines Resuming Flights Delta, United, American
Commercial Air Traffic Unaffected
Internet Services Improving
Rental Car Companies Operating daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Rental Car Availability Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty
Rental Car Requirements Must be pre-booked online
Ground Transportation Affected by fuel shortage
Construction Ongoing
Construction Time Late night and early morning
Construction Impact on Air Traffic Closed to air traffic during construction
Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) Issued to communicate closures
Airfield Safety Top priority

shunhotel

Asheville Regional Airport is open and operational

The Asheville Regional Airport is open and operational following the impact of Hurricane Helene. The airport serves as a gateway to and from Western North Carolina and has been transformed into a ""military hub"" to provide relief to the region.

While commercial air traffic remains unaffected, passengers are encouraged to check their flight status before arriving at the airport as some airlines are reducing flight schedules. Rental car companies are operating daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and rentals must be pre-booked online.

The airport has implemented safety measures during airfield construction to ensure the best level of safety for passengers, pilots, employees, and development partners. The west-side taxiway/temporary runway was constructed to handle all expected air traffic during its use as a runway, and aviation experts, engineers, general contractors, and the Federal Aviation Administration were involved in the approved plans.

Overnight runway closures will occur, typically between midnight and 5:30 a.m., and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) will be issued to communicate these closures. Delayed evening flights may be cancelled due to these closures. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed by checking the Asheville Regional Airport website and their airline's website for the most up-to-date information.

shunhotel

Commercial air traffic is unaffected

The Asheville Regional Airport is open and operational, with commercial air traffic unaffected by Hurricane Helene. However, passengers are encouraged to check their flight status before arriving at the airport, as some airlines are reducing flight schedules. For instance, Sun Country Airlines halted its seasonal service a month earlier than scheduled on October 6, 2024.

Asheville Regional Airport has been transformed into a military hub, providing relief to the region in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Despite this, commercial air traffic remains uninterrupted. The airport is also accessible by road, although some routes are closed due to the hurricane's impact. Alternate paths are available, and major highways are open for entry.

The airport's Facebook page announced that staffers have been working around the clock to resume regular service. Delta and United Airlines planned to resume flying on Monday, September 30, 2024, while American Airlines aimed to resume flights on Sunday evening. It is important to note that flight statuses can change, and travellers are advised to stay in close contact with their airlines to monitor any changes.

The Asheville Regional Airport has implemented safety measures to ensure the well-being of passengers, pilots, employees, and development partners. During airfield construction, additional safety protocols were put in place, and aviation experts, engineers, contractors, and the Federal Aviation Administration were involved in approving these plans. The west-side taxiway/temporary runway was constructed to manage all expected air traffic during its use as a runway.

While commercial air traffic is currently unaffected, it is always advisable for travellers to stay updated and check the latest information on flight schedules and any potential disruptions. This can be done by visiting the airport's official website, social media pages, or contacting the airlines directly.

shunhotel

Rental car companies are operating daily

As of the latest update on October 5, 2024, rental car companies at Asheville Regional Airport are operating daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, it is important to note that rentals must be pre-booked online for Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty car rental companies. This update was provided after the airport had been impacted by Hurricane Helene, which caused an internet outage in the region and disrupted rental car services.

The resumption of rental car operations is part of the broader recovery efforts at Asheville Regional Airport. The airport had been transformed into a "military hub" in the aftermath of the hurricane, facilitating relief efforts and serving as a receiving point for supplies coordinated by local, state, and federal agencies.

During the recovery phase, Asheville Regional Airport continued to experience challenges. In addition to the internet outage, there was also a fuel shortage affecting ground transportation providers such as taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts. Despite these difficulties, the airport officials worked tirelessly to restore services, with staff members even sleeping at the airport and staying away from their families.

As of September 29, 2024, updates from the airport indicated that Delta and United planned to resume flying on Monday, with American Airlines aiming to resume arriving and terminating flights on Sunday evening. Passengers were reminded to stay in close contact with their airlines to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as flight schedules could change at any time.

In addition to flight disruptions, passengers should be aware of ongoing construction at Asheville Regional Airport. During late-night and early-morning hours, typically between midnight and 5:30 a.m., the airfield may be closed to air traffic for construction work. Delayed evening flights may be affected and, in some cases, result in flight cancellations.

shunhotel

Ground transportation providers are experiencing a fuel shortage

As of 29 September 2024, the Asheville Regional Airport was expected to resume flights, with Delta and United planning to resume flying on Monday, and American Airlines hoping to resume arriving and terminating flights on Sunday evening. The airport had been transformed into a military hub, providing relief to the region following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

While the airport is open and operational, ground transportation providers, including taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts, are experiencing a fuel shortage. Rental car companies are operating daily from 8 am to 7 pm, and rentals must be pre-booked online for companies like Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty. However, due to an internet outage in the region, rental cars are unavailable, and only those pre-booked on the rental car companies' apps may be available.

As the region recovers from the hurricane, it is important to check the latest updates before travelling to the airport. Some airline partners are reducing flight schedules, and passengers are urged to check with their airlines for the most up-to-date information. While commercial air traffic remains unaffected, flight statuses can change at any time, and it is recommended to check before arriving at the airport.

The Asheville community is making progress, with downtown shops, restaurants, galleries, artist studios, and other businesses open and welcoming guests. However, some areas, such as parts of the River Arts District, Biltmore Village, and Swannanoa, may have a longer recovery process. Visitors are encouraged to support local businesses by visiting respectfully and planning their trips in advance.

shunhotel

Safety measures have been added during airfield construction

The Asheville Regional Airport is open and operational, with commercial air traffic unaffected by Hurricane Helene. The airport has also been serving as a military hub, providing relief to the region.

Safety Measures During Airfield Construction

Safety measures have been put in place during airfield construction to ensure the best level of safety for passengers, pilots, employees, and development partners. The west-side taxiway/temporary runway was constructed to handle all expected air traffic at AVL for the period it was used as a runway. Aviation experts, engineers, general contractors, and the Federal Aviation Administration were involved in the approved plans for its addition to the airfield.

To ensure safety, the airfield will be closed to air traffic during late-night and early morning hours, typically between midnight and 5:30 a.m. Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) will be issued to communicate these closures to pilots and airlines. The airfield will open again in the mornings after construction crews have departed and the runway has been cleared for use before the first scheduled flight.

Overnight runway closures will occur, with much of the work taking place within the runway safety area. Construction crews will work during overnight hours after the last scheduled flight times to minimize disruptions. Delayed evening flights may experience cancellations due to these construction closures, and passengers are encouraged to check for updates with their airlines.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the airport is open and operational.

The airport reopened in late September 2024, following Hurricane Helene.

There are still some road closures due to the hurricane, but alternative routes are available. Ground transportation providers are also experiencing a fuel shortage.

Rental cars are available, but there has been an internet outage in the region, so it is best to pre-book online.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment