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Norfolk International Airport, located in Virginia, United States, is assigned the airport code ORF by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The airport is situated seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk and is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority. Despite its name, Norfolk International Airport does not currently offer any regularly scheduled international flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Norfolk International Airport |
| IATA | ORF |
| ICAO | KORF |
| FAA LID | ORF |
| Location | 7 miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, US |
| Owner and Operator | Norfolk Airport Authority |
| Service Area | Hampton Roads metropolitan area of southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina |
| Bus Service | No |
| Nearest Bus Connection | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away at the intersection of Military Highway (Route 165) and Norview Avenue (Route 247) |
| Parking Garage | 9-level parking garage with 2,800 spaces |
| New Parking Garage | 1.09 million square feet |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport's original name was Norfolk Municipal Airport
- In 1968, the airport was recognised as a regional hub and renamed Norfolk Regional Airport
- In 1976, the airport was given its current name, Norfolk International Airport
- Despite the name, there are no international flights from the airport
- The airport is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority
The airport's original name was Norfolk Municipal Airport
The airport now known as Norfolk International Airport has its origins in the early days of commercial aviation. In 1932, commercial air travel in Norfolk, Virginia, faced a setback when the Navy objected to the expansion of the Granby Street field due to its proximity to the Norfolk Naval Air Station. As a result, commercial operations moved to Glenrock Airport, but the onset of the Great Depression soon after led to the suspension of all commercial flights. For the next five years, Norfolk was without a functioning airport.
In 1938, the city-owned Truxton Manor Golf Course was converted into Norfolk Municipal Airport, marking a new chapter for commercial aviation in the region. The airport was equipped with a 3,500-foot runway, and Penn Central Airlines, now United Airlines, utilised a renovated clubhouse as a passenger terminal. The first permanent terminal was completed by 1940, and with the outbreak of World War II, Norfolk Municipal Airport played a crucial role in the war effort.
In 1950, the airport's management was transferred to the newly established Norfolk Port and Industrial Authority (NPIA), which oversaw its development and growth. By 1951, a new terminal was officially dedicated, and the airport began accommodating the transition from propeller-driven aircraft to jets. This adaptability solidified its position as a prominent aviation hub, leading to its recognition as the region's official air transportation centre in 1968, at which point it was renamed Norfolk Regional Airport.
The airport has continued to evolve to meet the dynamic needs of aviation. In 1974, a state-of-the-art terminal was unveiled, and the airport's name was changed to Norfolk International Airport in 1976 with the addition of Federal Customs facilities. The airport has undergone various expansions and improvements over the years, including the development of a new general aviation facility and air cargo terminal in the 1980s. Today, Norfolk International Airport, with its IATA code ORF, remains a vital transportation hub, serving over four million passengers annually and offering daily connections to major cities across the United States.
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In 1968, the airport was recognised as a regional hub and renamed Norfolk Regional Airport
Norfolk International Airport has a long history that dates back to the early days of commercial aviation. The airport has undergone several name changes and expansions over the years to become the busy transportation hub it is today.
In the early 1930s, commercial air travel in Norfolk, Virginia, faced challenges due to the Navy's opposition to expanding the Granby Street field because of its proximity to the Norfolk Naval Air Station. As a result, commercial operations moved to Glenrock Airport, but the Great Depression soon halted all commercial flights. For the next five years, Norfolk had no commercial air service.
In 1938, the city-owned Truxton Manor Golf Course was converted into Norfolk Municipal Airport, marking the return of commercial aviation to the area. This site became the permanent home of commercial air travel in southern Tidewater. The airport featured a 3,500-foot runway, and Penn Central Airlines (now United Airlines) utilised a renovated clubhouse as a passenger terminal. World War II further emphasised the airport's importance, as it played a vital role in the war effort.
The 1950s and 1960s brought significant transitions in aviation technology, with propeller-driven aircraft being replaced by jets. Norfolk Municipal Airport successfully adapted to these changes, accommodating longer and stronger runway requirements for jetliners. This adaptability led to its official recognition in 1968 as the region's air transportation centre, resulting in its renaming to Norfolk Regional Airport.
The airport's management passed to the newly established Norfolk Port and Industrial Authority (NPIA) in 1950, which developed a comprehensive master plan to prepare for anticipated growth over the following decades. The airport continued to evolve, gaining international status in 1976 with the addition of Federal Customs facilities and a name change to Norfolk International Airport.
Today, Norfolk International Airport is the primary link to the global air transportation network for the region. It serves Coastal Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, offering daily flights to major US cities. With ongoing renovations and improvements, the airport is committed to enhancing the passenger experience and adapting to the dynamic needs of aviation.
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In 1976, the airport was given its current name, Norfolk International Airport
Norfolk International Airport has undergone several name changes since its establishment in 1938. Initially, the airport was known as Norfolk Municipal Airport, serving as a vital resource during World War II. In 1950, the airport came under the management of the newly established Norfolk Port and Industrial Authority (NPIA), which oversaw its transformation into one of the finest and busiest airports in the nation. During the 1960s, the airport experienced a significant transition from propeller-driven aircraft to jets, leading to necessary adaptations in runway and taxiway facilities.
By 1967, the airport had become the region's primary aviation hub, earning the title of Norfolk Regional Airport in 1968. This recognition was a testament to its central role in air transportation for the entire region. The airport continued to thrive and expand, with a new terminal dedicated in 1974, along with additional land secured for future growth.
In 1976, the airport underwent a significant milestone as it was officially renamed Norfolk International Airport. This change coincided with the addition of Federal Customs facilities, reflecting its growing importance and potential for international travel. The airport's infrastructure continued to evolve, with new outbuildings housing essential services such as a fire station, maintenance depot, and an ATC tower.
Despite its current name, Norfolk International Airport does not currently offer any regularly scheduled international flights. However, it serves as a crucial aviation hub for Coastal Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, accommodating over 4 million passengers and 75,000 flight operations annually. The airport remains committed to enhancing the passenger experience through ongoing renovations and improvements to its terminals, concourses, and other facilities.
The airport's IATA code, "ORF," is often used as an abbreviation for its name, as seen in various airport services and ground transportation options.
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Despite the name, there are no international flights from the airport
Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF) is located seven miles (11 km) northeast of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, United States. Despite its name, there are no international flights from the airport. The airport serves the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of southeast Virginia, along with the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News, and northeast North Carolina. It is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority, a bureau under the municipal government.
The airport's history dates back to 1938 when the city-owned Truxton Manor Golf Course was converted into Norfolk Municipal Airport, featuring a 3,500-foot runway. In 1940, the first permanent terminal was completed, and during World War II, the airport became a vital resource for the war effort. In 1950, the airport came under the management of the newly established Norfolk Port and Industrial Authority (NPIA), which recognised the airport as one of the finest and busiest in the nation. In 1968, it was officially acknowledged as the region's air transportation centre and renamed Norfolk Regional Airport.
In 1974, a new, modern terminal was inaugurated, and the airport's name was changed to Norfolk International Airport in 1976 with the addition of Federal Customs facilities. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and improvements, including the development of a general aviation facility and an air cargo terminal. The supervising body's name changed from the NPIA to the Norfolk Airport Authority in 1988. Today, the airport continues to enhance its facilities with ongoing renovations and capital development projects planned for 2024 and beyond, such as runway rehabilitation, terminal development, and the construction of a new parking garage.
Norfolk International Airport is a significant airport in the region, ranking in the top 14% of the country's airports in terms of annual passenger traffic. It handles about 1,100 aircraft per day and offers daily arrivals and departures to major cities throughout the United States. The airport provides a safe, reliable, and efficient service, connecting the community with the world. However, despite its international designation, the airport does not currently offer any regular international flights or destinations.
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The airport is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority
The Norfolk International Airport is owned and operated by the Norfolk Airport Authority, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Authority is a bureau under the municipal government, and its policies are determined by a nine-member board of commissioners appointed by the Norfolk City Council. The board's decisions are then carried out by the executive director and staff.
The Norfolk Airport Authority has a wide range of departments, including Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Market Development, Police, Fire, Parking, Building Maintenance, Field Maintenance, Janitorial, and Operations. The Authority employs around 200 people and has been named one of Virginia's Best Places to Work in 2025.
The Authority is responsible for the ongoing renovations and improvements to the airport, with a multi-phase plan to enhance the passenger experience. This includes improvements to airport terminals, concourses, the general aviation terminal, dining and retail facilities, in-airport advertising, and customer service.
The Norfolk Airport Authority also governs the Norfolk Tower, which is operated and managed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The Norfolk Tower handles approximately 1,100 aircraft per day, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The airport itself serves the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina, offering convenient access to hundreds of cities worldwide through various airlines.
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Frequently asked questions
ORF stands for Norfolk International Airport, which is located in Virginia, United States.
The airport codes are assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These three-letter codes are used to identify airports and are unique and change rarely.
Norfolk Airport first began in 1938 when the city-owned Truxton Manor Golf Course was converted into an airport. It was called Norfolk Municipal Airport and had a 3,500-foot runway. The airport played a vital role during World War II and continued to expand over the years. In 1976, with the addition of Federal Customs facilities, the airport's name was changed to Norfolk International Airport.
The address of Norfolk International Airport is 2200 Norview Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia, 23518, United States.
