# 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 on three airlines' subsidiaries. CHO underwent major construction in summer 2006; an 800-foot runway extension began in summer 2010 and was completed in December 2012.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021–2025 categorized it as a non-hub primary commercial service facility. Federal Aviation Administration records say it had 214,395 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2021 and 262,889 in 2022. The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority says there were 628,611 total passengers (enplaned and deplaned) in fiscal year 2017.
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.
The airport has a 60,000 sq ft (6,000 m$^2$) 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 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.
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. 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.

## Airlines and destinations
### Passenger

| Airlines | Destinations |
| American Eagle | Charlotte, New York–LaGuardia |
| Delta Air Lines | Seasonal: Atlanta |
| Delta Connection | Atlanta, New York–LaGuardia |
| United Express | Chicago–O'Hare, Washington–Dulles |

## Statistics
### Top routes

Busiest domestic routes from CHO (November 2023 - October 2024) :
| Rank | City | Passengers | Top carriers |
| 1 | Charlotte, North Carolina | 111,360 | American |
| 2 | Atlanta, Georgia | 80,480 | Delta |
| 3 | New York–LaGuardia, New York | 68,780 | American, Delta |
| 4 | Washington–Dulles, Virginia | 39,620 | United |
| 5 | Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois | 35,180 | United |
| 6 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 2,820 | American |

### Carrier shares
## 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. Suspended November 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic. American Eagle resumed flights to Philadelphia on April 4, 2023 but ended service January 7, 2024 |
| Avelo Airlines | Orlando | MCO | Operated twice weekly beginning May 3, 2023 Canceled September 4, 2023 citing low demand |
| United Express | Chicago–O'Hare | ORD | Began June 8, 2017 Suspended starting June 2022 but resumed August 2, 2023 |
| American Eagle | Chicago–O'Hare | ORD | Began June 9, 2011 as first AA service since at least 1995 Ended April 5, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Allegiant Air | Orlando–Sanford | SFB | Operated from November 21, 2013 to February 23, 2014 |
| Northwest Airlink/ Delta Connection | Detroit | DTW | Served briefly from August to October 2001 Resumed by Northwest April 4, 2005 Continued after Delta Air Lines–Northwest Airlines merger, operated as Delta Connection until canceled in 2010 |
| Delta Connection | Cincinnati | CVG | Route canceled in 2009 around the time of Delta's merger with Northwest Airlines |
| USAir | Pittsburgh | PIT | Operated by USAir and its Allegheny Airlines commuter service from 1984 until US Airways closed its Pittsburgh hub in 2004. |
| 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. |
| USAir | Baltimore | BWI | Operated by Piedmont Airlines starting in 1983, continued by USAir after merging with Piedmont until late 1996. |
| Piedmont Airlines | Washington–Dulles | IAD | |
| Piedmont Airlines | Lynchburg | LYH | |
| Piedmont Airlines | Shenandoah | SHD | |
| Piedmont Airlines | Richmond | RIC | Scheduled as a daily flight in 1983 |
| Piedmont Airlines | Washington–Reagan | DCA | Dates unknown, operated in 1950s |

## 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 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.