Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (IATA: CHO, ICAO: KCHO, FAA LID: CHO) is an airport eight miles north of Charlottesville, in Albemarle County, Virginia, United States. It opened in 1955 and serves the Central Virginia and Shenandoah Valley region with non-stop flights to five major cities^[4] on three airlines' subsidiaries.^[5] CHO underwent major construction in summer 2006; an 800-foot runway extension began in summer 2010 and was completed in December 2012.^[6][7][8]

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport
IATA: CHO ICAO: KCHO FAA LID: CHO
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner	Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority
Serves	Charlottesville, Virginia
Location	Albemarle County, VA
Elevation AMSL	640 ft / 195 m
Coordinates	38°08′19″N 078°27′10″W
Website	www.GoCHO.com
Map
CHO Show map of Virginia CHO Show map of the United States
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 3/21 6,801 2,073 Asphalt
Statistics (12 months ending October 2021 except where noted)
Passenger volume 374,000 Departing passengers 187,000 Scheduled flights 4,490 Aircraft operations (2020) 90,555 Based aircraft (2021) 56
Source: Federal Aviation Administration,[1] BTS,[2] Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority[3]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021–2025 categorized it as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.^[9] Federal Aviation Administration records say it had 214,395 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2021 and 262,889 in 2022.^[10] The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority says there were 628,611 total passengers (enplaned and deplaned) in fiscal year 2017.^[11]

Piedmont Airlines DC-3s arrived in 1955; the first jets were Piedmont 727s in 1967 (the runway was extended from 4661 ft to 6000 ft at about that time).

As of October 2024, the airport was served by ERJ-145, E175, CRJ-700, CRJ-900, and B717-200 aircraft.

Facilities

The airport covers 710 acres (287 ha) at an elevation of 640 feet (195 m). Its single runway, 3/21, is 6,801 by 150 feet (2,073 m × 46 m) long.^[1][12]

The airport has a 60,000 sq ft (6,000 m²) terminal with on-site rental cars (Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Hertz, & National) and other ground transportation.

Food Service is available through Tailwind Concessions under the brands Turbo Grill, Radar Bar, and Copilot Coffee. There is a gift shop selling grab and go food and local gifts on the second level at Gate 5.

General aviation facilities include an executive terminal offering a full-service by the fixed-base operator, Signature Flight Support, flight schools, emergency medical transportation provided by the UVA Hospital's Pegasus service^[13] and aircraft charter firms.

In 2019 the airport opened "The Founder's Lounge", which is a quiet lounge area at gate 5. Access is available to anyone who purchases a day pass for a nominal fee. It features comfortable seating, conference room, tables, and décor from local artists and craftsman showcasing the Charlottesville area. Complimentary beverages and snacks are also included.

In 2020 the airport had 90,555 aircraft operations, average 248 per day: 67% general aviation, 19% air taxi, 11% military, and 3% airline. In January 2022, 56 aircraft were based at this airport: 40 single-engine, 8 multi-engine, 6 jet, 1 helicopter, and 1 ultralight.^[1]

In 2022, 2 new elevator banks were opened in the Long-term parking lot to replace the older elevator to improve ADA compliance.

In 2023, the airport completed an upgrade of their airfield lighting, which switched to all LED lighting. This will help to reduce maintenance, improve visibility, and reduce electric costs.^[14] Following the return of flights to Chicago–O'Hare in August, it was announced that the airport intends to construct a new terminal and parking garage by the end of the decade.^[15]

Airlines and destinations

American Eagle E170 arriving from LGA

Passenger

Airlines	Destinations	Refs
American Eagle	Charlotte, New York–LaGuardia	[16]
Delta Air Lines	Seasonal: Atlanta	[17]
Delta Connection	Atlanta, New York–LaGuardia	[17]
United Express	Chicago–O'Hare, Washington–Dulles	[18]

Statistics

Top routes

Busiest domestic routes from CHO
(March 2024 – February 2025)^[2]

Rank	City	Passengers	Top carriers
1	Charlotte, North Carolina	114,710	American
2	Atlanta, Georgia	83,560	Delta
3	New York–LaGuardia, New York	65,880	American, Delta
4	Washington–Dulles, Virginia	46,150	United
5	Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois	41,680	United

Carrier shares

Carrier shares (March 2024 – February 2025)^[2]

Carrier	Passengers (arriving and departing)
Piedmont	219,000(31.29%)
Endeavor	214,000(30.49%)
CommuteAir	90,770(12.96%)
SkyWest	81,420(11.63%)
Delta	47,690(6.81%)
Other	47,780(6.82%)

Former airlines and destinations

List of former airlines and routes at CHO

Airline	Destination	IATA	Notes
American Eagle	Philadelphia	PHL	Service began in 1997 by US Airways and continued after its merger with American Airlines.[19][20] Suspended November 2021[21] following the COVID-19 pandemic. American Eagle resumed flights to Philadelphia on April 4, 2023 but ended service January 7, 2024[22]
Avelo Airlines	Orlando	MCO	Operated twice weekly beginning May 3, 2023[23] Canceled September 4, 2023 citing low demand[24]
United Express	Chicago–O'Hare	ORD	Began June 8, 2017[25] Suspended starting June 2022[26] but resumed August 2, 2023
American Eagle	Chicago–O'Hare	ORD	Began June 9, 2011[27] as first AA service since at least 1995[28] Ended April 5, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[29]
Allegiant Air	Orlando–Sanford	SFB	Operated from November 21, 2013[30] to February 23, 2014[31]
Northwest Airlink/ Delta Connection	Detroit	DTW	Served briefly from August to October 2001 Resumed by Northwest April 4, 2005[32] Continued after Delta Air Lines–Northwest Airlines merger, operated as Delta Connection until canceled in 2010[33]
Delta Connection	Cincinnati	CVG	Route canceled in 2009 around the time of Delta's merger with Northwest Airlines[33]
USAir	Pittsburgh	PIT	Operated by USAir and its Allegheny Airlines commuter service from 1984 until US Airways closed its Pittsburgh hub in 2004.[34]
American Eagle	Raleigh-Durham	RDU	One-stop service via Richmond began when American opened its Raleigh hub in 1987; timetables show nonstop service later that year before ending Charlottesville as a destination by 1988. American Eagle resumed nonstop service in 1991 and continued until late 1994.[35][36]
USAir	Baltimore	BWI	Operated by Piedmont Airlines starting in 1983, continued by USAir after merging with Piedmont until late 1996.[37][38]
Piedmont Airlines	Washington–Dulles	IAD
Piedmont Airlines	Lynchburg	LYH
Piedmont Airlines	Shenandoah	SHD
Piedmont Airlines	Richmond	RIC	Scheduled as a daily flight in 1983[39]
Piedmont Airlines	Washington–Reagan	DCA	Dates unknown, operated in 1950s[40]

Accidents and incidents

• Piedmont Airlines Flight 349 crashed on October 30, 1959 into Bucks Elbow Mountain while attempting to land at this airport, killing 26 of 27 people on board.

The White Oak

The White Oak Tree at CHO Airport

The tree is the second-largest white oak in Virginia, standing 75 feet tall with an 85-foot crown. It is located on the southernmost point of airport property along the approach to Runway 3. It is believed to be between 250 and 300 years old. Furthermore, it is included in Virginia Tech's Virginia Big Tree Database and also the Remarkable Trees of Virginia Program.

Access to the tree is restricted as it is in a secure section of the airport, but visits can be scheduled on the airport's website.