The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) is now ready to spread its wings. The Virginia Aviation Board 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 officials say that the 800′ 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. An airport neighbor has contested the runway expansion on environmental grounds, citing possible watershed contamination, but county supervisors reiterated their support for the project in August.
 The state aviation board has decided to grant $4.5 million for the Charlottesville-Albemarle runway extension. |
Hampton Roads Executive received $2.2 million for projects including terminal building construction, and the Richmond International Airport got an estimated $2.7 million 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 billion for fiscal year 2009.
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