News Summary
The Newport News City Council has authorized a $4 million investment to convert the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport into an Air Commerce Park. This shift focuses on economic growth and job creation, with additional support from federal funding. The new vision prioritizes sectors like aviation research, cargo logistics, and aircraft manufacturing. After years of declining passenger numbers and financial losses, this redevelopment aims to revitalize the airport and adapt to changing aviation market demands.
Newport News City Council has approved a substantial investment of $4 million to transform the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport into an Air Commerce Park, signaling a shift towards leveraging the airport for economic growth and high-wage job creation. This significant allocation includes $3 million designated for critical operational costs and as much as $1 million for capital projects that align with this strategic pivot.
The funding from the City Council is bolstered by an additional $6 million in federal support secured by U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, aimed at reconstructing the airport’s 6,500 feet of taxiways. This investment aims to address the airport’s operational challenges while repositioning it to meet evolving market demands.
Historically, the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport has seen a decline in passenger numbers, plummeting from approximately 1 million travelers in 2012 to a mere 137,000 in the last fiscal year. In contrast, both Norfolk and Richmond airports recorded about 4.8 million passengers in the same timeframe, highlighting the competitive pressure faced by Newport News. A study conducted by the Hampton Roads Alliance concluded that maintaining commercial passenger services was financially untenable, prompting discussions about the airport’s future direction.
Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones has emphasized the need for a turnaround, articulating that there is no long-term future for traditional commercial air service at the facility. Instead, he advocates for a strategic shift towards new revenue streams, underscoring the importance of adapting to current economic conditions.
The envisioned Air Commerce Park will focus on sectors such as aviation research and development, cargo logistics, advanced air mobility, and aircraft manufacturing and assembly. Future initiatives may include advancements in drone technology, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and unmanned cargo transportation solutions, aligning the airport’s focus with emerging trends in the aviation sector.
At present, the airport provides commercial flights exclusively through American Airlines, which connects Newport News to Charlotte. Despite financial struggles and community support for retaining commercial passenger services, the airport has reported six consecutive years of losses, with a projected deficit of $2.7 million for the current fiscal year.
Leading the airport’s transformation is the Peninsula Airport Commission, which has recently appointed Chris Morello as interim executive director. This leadership aims to navigate the airport’s future development and tighten collaboration with regional players like the Jefferson National Laboratory to enhance capabilities and service offerings.
Mayor Jones has reiterated that the transformation plan aims to preserve existing jobs while promising the creation of hundreds of new positions in emerging aviation sectors. The city is committed to leveraging its 1,800-acre airport footprint, which provides ample opportunities for developing hangars and attracting general aviation businesses.
The City Council’s approved funding is allocated for the fiscal year 2025, with the acknowledgment that future financial support is uncertain. Nevertheless, city officials are optimistic that redeveloping the airport into an economic catalyst through the Air Commerce Park will not only revitalize the region’s economic landscape but also position Newport News as a key player in the aviation industry.
Lindsey Carney, chair of the Peninsula Airport Commission, expressed the importance of establishing the airport as a driver for economic growth, which aligns with the city’s broader objectives to invigorate the local economy through innovative transportation and aviation solutions.
In summary, Newport News City Council’s $4 million investment stands as a pivotal move towards reshaping the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport into an Air Commerce Park, aspiring to create an ecosystem of high-wage jobs and economic stimulus, effectively adapting to the changing dynamics of the aviation industry while combating years of financial downturn.
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Additional Resources
- WAVY: Newport News City Council to invest $4M to grow Newport News-Williamsburg Airport
- Wikipedia: Newport News-Williamsburg Airport
- Pilot Online: Newport News airport changes
- Google Search: Newport News Airport
- WY Daily: Newport News invests $4M to transform Newport News-Williamsburg Airport into Air Commerce Park
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Newport News
- Daily Press: Newport News Airport changes
- Google News: Newport News Air Commerce Park
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WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
