The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport is now ready to spread its wings. The Virginia Aviation Board (VAB) announced that it has approved tentative allocations of funds for 33 of the state’s airports for a total of more than $21 million. That funding includes $4.5 million for seven CHO projects, most notably the Runway Extension Phase 1A design and construction.
As C-VILLE has previously reported, CHO’s runway extension is needed so that some jets can land at full capacity. During “high density altitude” conditions of high heat and humidity, some planes currently have to book five to eight fewer passengers to land on the current strip.
Hampton Roads Executive received $2.2 million for projects including Terminal Building construction and the Richmond International Airport an estimated $2.7 for four projects.
The airline industry hasn’t had an easy life lately. According to Reuters, the global industry is reporting a loss of $5.2 billion this year and looking at $4.1 million for fiscal year 2009.
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport doesn’t book flights at full capacity at times because it doesn’t have a long enough runway during hot, humid days.