Norfolk Airport Has Its Best Year in History, Gearing Up for Its Largest Reconstruction Program

2022 was Norfolk International Airport’s best year in its 85-year history, the director said.

“We recovered from the pandemic faster than just about any other airport in the nation,” Mark A. Perryman, Norfolk Airport Authority president and CEO, said. “That’s a testament to what this region has to offer.”

As of last year, the Norfolk airport overtook the Richmond airport in terms of passengers, he said during a presentation on Wednesday. Norfolk tallied about 4.12 million passengers while Richmond had about 4.07 million. He explained there is friendly boasting as the numbers go up and down between the two.

The Downtown Norfolk Council held a member briefing at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott to share details of the airport’s latest progress and master plan.

The Norfolk airport is considered a medium hub and the largest in the commonwealth, outside of Washington Dulles, he said.

In 2022, versus pre-pandemic in 2019, Norfolk International Airport was up by 7.2% in seats while the rest of the country was still down 6.6%, Perryman said.

“The interesting thing is we did more seats on fewer flights,” he said, noting larger aircraft with 100-150 seats, now service the airport.

Moving forward, Perryman said as the month marches on and into the spring and summer, more seats will be available for flyers.

“That means there’s more opportunity for our flying public to go to places they want to be,” he said.

With four legacy carriers, Delta, American, Southwest and United, and four low-cost carriers, Allegiant, Breeze, Frontier and Spirit, Perryman said Norfolk maintains great offerings that a lot of other airports would envy.

Now touting 34 nonstop destinations, which includes 13 added since the start of the pandemic, Perryman said the airport is pursuing flights to San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle and Phoenix.

Looking at the future, Perryman said the airport is gearing up for the largest reconstruction program in its history. Over the next two years, it will reconstruct the concrete pavement areas at each end of the runway.

“They’re approaching 50 years old; they’re deteriorating and need to be replaced,” he said.

In April, the airport will begin the work on the runway’s north end, take a break through the winter and start work on the south end next year.

Attendees reacted with glee when Perryman shared that the airport will get a “people mover” again.

“The project has already been under design and we hope to be able to have this operational later this year,” he said.

With the continued growth comes the need for additional gates and the plan includes three to four more on concourse A to bring a total of 25 or 26 gates.

“One of the other big areas that we’re concentrating on is passenger convenience and passenger experience,” Perryman said. “We want to improve that at every point that we can.”

Perryman said the airport authority wants to create consolidated checkpoints and ticket counters for more efficiency and less confusion. The parking system is undergoing enhancements, including an online loyalty program parking reservation system, the switch to a totally cashless environment and the recent increase for free parking in the garages from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

An unstaffed kiosk has been added to concourse A to assure late night travelers they can grab a snack or drink. Plans are underway to bring one to concourse B, too.

The airport recently joined The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, an international program that enables travelers with conditions to receive assistance and understanding.

He also said the authority is pursuing the development of a hotel at the airport to accommodate passengers experiencing early morning flights, delays or cancellations.

The airport’s planned half billion-dollar capital program over the next five to seven years, positions it for continued growth, Perryman said.

“Growth that can serve the business community, our visitors and tourism community and our traveling public as a whole,” he explained. “And that’s what we’re here to do.”

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, [email protected]

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