Lois Larson
Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) is a convenient airport located just three miles from downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. The airport covers 1,000 acres and has two runways, with six gates in the passenger terminal. At its peak in 1989, the airport served about 354,000 passengers annually. However, the number of passengers has fluctuated over the years, with a significant drop to fewer than 50,000 in 2009. The airport code ORH came about due to restrictions on airport codes starting with W or K, which are reserved for radio station designations.
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What You'll Learn
- Worcester Regional Airport once served 354,000 passengers in a year, but this number fell to under 50,000 in 2009
- The airport covers 1,000 acres and has two runways, six gates, and four baggage claims
- JetBlue transports the majority of passengers, with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines also operating there
- The airport code ORH was chosen because WOR was restricted for radio station designations, and ORC was already taken
- The airport lacks direct access to an Interstate Highway, but smaller roads provide access
Worcester Regional Airport once served 354,000 passengers in a year, but this number fell to under 50,000 in 2009
Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) is located on Tatnuck Hill, at the borders of Worcester, Leicester, and Paxton. The airport opened in 1946 and started regular passenger service the same week. At its peak in 1989, the airport served about 354,000 passengers in a year. However, in 2009, the number of passengers had dropped to below 50,000.
The decline in passenger numbers can be attributed to several factors. One issue is the airport's location. While it is situated on top of the tallest hill in the city, reaching approximately 1,000 feet above sea level, this elevation also means that the airport experiences more foggy days than nearby Boston. Worcester Airport has about 40 more foggy days per year than Boston due to its geographic location. This weather problem was noted even when the site was chosen for the airport in the 1940s. Despite this, the city opted for Tatnuck Hill as the airport's location.
Another factor contributing to the decline in passenger numbers is the departure of major airlines. In the mid-1980s and early 1990s, major carriers such as Piedmont, Northwest Airlines, Continental, and USAir operated mainline jets into Worcester. Smaller carriers like New York Air and Presidential Airways also provided jet service. However, over time, these carriers left one by one. For example, Allegiant Air, which began commercial service to Worcester in 2005, cut ties with the airport in 2006, citing high fuel costs and passenger loads as reasons for their departure. The loss of these airlines reduced the number of flights available from Worcester and likely contributed to the decrease in passenger numbers.
In recent years, Worcester Regional Airport has seen an increase in passenger numbers. In 2019, the airport served 192,000 passengers, and during the COVID pandemic, it managed to serve over 106,000 passengers from September 2019 to August 2020. As of 2023, the airport has welcomed more than 193,000 passengers, with JetBlue, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines as its three major airlines. The airport currently operates four daily flights, with JetBlue offering "extremely popular" services to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida.
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The airport covers 1,000 acres and has two runways, six gates, and four baggage claims
Worcester Regional Airport covers 1,000 acres and is situated on top of Tatnuck Hill, the tallest hill in the city, at approximately 1,000 feet above sea level. This elevation results in Worcester experiencing around 40 more foggy days annually compared to nearby Boston. To address this challenge, the airport has two runways, 11/29 and 15/33, equipped with advanced navigation systems. Runway 11/29 is 7,001 feet long and 150 feet wide, while runway 15/33 is 5,000 feet long and 100 feet wide. Both runways are equipped with ILS (Instrument Landing System) equipment, which enables aircraft to safely land and depart in various weather conditions.
The airport terminal features six gates, with four gates located on the upper level for departures and two gates on the lower level for arrivals. These gates can accommodate a range of aircraft sizes, up to the Boeing 757. The terminal also has four jetways, two ramp-level gates for regional carriers, and two baggage carousels, ensuring efficient passenger processing. Additionally, the TSA has installed a passenger and baggage screening system within the terminal for enhanced security.
The airport offers various amenities for travellers, including a children's play area, special-needs services such as wheelchair assistance, a first aid station, and banking services. For parking, there are both short-term and long-term options, including a covered parking garage located directly across from the terminal. The airport also provides a cell phone waiting area for those picking up arriving passengers, and handicapped parking is available in all parking areas.
Worcester Regional Airport is conveniently located just three miles west of Worcester, serving Worcester County and the surrounding regions. Its accessibility is enhanced by its proximity to Interstate Highway I-290 and other interstate routes, making it a convenient travel hub for both business and leisure travellers.
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JetBlue transports the majority of passengers, with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines also operating there
Worcester Regional Airport, with the airport code ORH, is located on top of the tallest hill in the city, at approximately 1,000 feet above sea level. This geographic location means that Worcester experiences around 40 more foggy days per year than nearby Boston.
In terms of airlines, JetBlue transports the majority of passengers at Worcester Airport. During the COVID pandemic, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported that for the period from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020, the airport served over 106,000 passengers, with JetBlue carrying more than 75% of them.
In July 2020, American Airlines and JetBlue formed a strategic partnership called the "Northeast Alliance." This agreement allowed the two airlines to share passengers and revenue and coordinate flight schedules to and from New York and Boston's major airports. However, in 2022, the Department of Justice under President Biden initiated an antitrust lawsuit, and in May 2023, a court ruled against the alliance, deeming it anticompetitive.
In addition to JetBlue and American Airlines, Delta Air Lines also operates at Worcester Airport. The airport has two runways and can accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 757. It has a passenger terminal with six gates, four with jetways, and two ramp-level gates for regional carriers. The terminal has facilities for passenger and baggage screening, baggage carousels, and rental car companies.
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The airport code ORH was chosen because WOR was restricted for radio station designations, and ORC was already taken
Worcester Regional Airport, located about three miles from downtown Worcester, Massachusetts, is designated by the airport code ORH. The airport covers 1,000 acres of land and has two runways. It is equipped with six gates, four of which have jetways, and two ramp-level gates for regional carriers. The airport can accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 757 and has a seating capacity of 400 passengers.
The airport code ORH was chosen because the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) restricted US airport codes from beginning with the letters "W" and "K", reserving them for radio station designations. As a result, the airport could not use WOR, a recognisable abbreviation for Worcester, as its code. The next three letters in sequence, ORC, were already taken by Orange City Municipal Airport near Sioux City, Iowa.
The airport has a long history of commercial airline service, with major carriers such as Piedmont, Northwest Airlines, Continental, and USAir utilising mainline jets in the mid-1980s and early 1990s. Smaller carriers, like New York Air and Presidential Airways, also offered jet services during this period. Despite this early success, Worcester Airport experienced a decline in passenger numbers in the following years, dropping to fewer than 50,000 passengers in 2009. However, the airport has seen a resurgence in recent years, with JetBlue transporting more than 75% of all passengers during the COVID pandemic.
The geographic location of Worcester Regional Airport presents unique challenges due to its position atop the tallest hill in the city, approximately 1,000 feet above sea level. This elevation results in Worcester experiencing 40 more days of fog per year compared to nearby Boston. To address this issue, a Category IIIb instrument landing system was installed, enabling aircraft to land and depart in almost all weather conditions.
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The airport lacks direct access to an Interstate Highway, but smaller roads provide access
Worcester Regional Airport, located just three miles from downtown Worcester in Central Massachusetts, offers a convenient and hassle-free airport experience. Despite its proximity to the city, the airport lacks direct access to an Interstate Highway. However, travellers can easily reach the airport via smaller access roads connected to several interstate routes, including I-290, I-90, I-190, I-395, and I-495. These routes provide efficient connections to the airport, with a travel time of approximately 5 to 10 minutes after exiting Interstate I-290, Worcester's primary interstate highway access from the north and south.
The lack of direct highway access has not deterred airlines or passengers from utilising Worcester Regional Airport. In its heyday during the late 1980s and early 1990s, major carriers such as Piedmont, Northwest Airlines, Continental, and USAir operated mainline jets to and from the airport. Smaller carriers like New York Air and Presidential Airways also contributed to the airport's growth during this period. Unfortunately, these carriers gradually departed, and by 2009, the airport's annual passenger volume had dropped to fewer than 50,000.
However, Worcester Regional Airport has experienced a resurgence in recent years. In 2019, the airport served 192,000 passengers, and during the COVID pandemic, it managed to serve over 106,000 passengers, with JetBlue alone transporting more than 75% of them. The airport is currently equipped to handle up to 250,000 passengers annually and offers amenities such as affordable parking, rental car services, and daily commercial service from JetBlue, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.
The airport's location on top of the tallest hill in Worcester, approximately 1,000 feet above sea level, presents a unique challenge. This elevation results in an average of 40 more days of fog per year compared to nearby Boston. To address this issue, the airport received approval for funding to install a Category IIIb instrument landing system, enabling aircraft to land and depart safely in almost all weather conditions.
Despite the challenge posed by its location and the lack of direct highway access, Worcester Regional Airport remains a vital transportation hub for the region, providing convenient and accessible air travel options for residents and visitors to Central Massachusetts.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federal Communications Commission restricted US airport codes from beginning with the letters 'W' and 'K', as these letters are reserved for radio station designations.
Worcester Airport Director Andy Davis stated that the airport tried to change its code to something more recognisable, but could not use a 'K' or a 'W'.
The airport's ICAO code is KORH, and its FAA code is ORH.
