Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport 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 July 2026, 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 long.
The airport has a 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, 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
Statistics
Top routes + Busiest domestic routes from CHO(April 2025 – March 2026) Rank City Passengers Top carriers 1 Charlotte, North Carolina 109,650 American 2 Atlanta, Georgia 91,770 Delta 3 New York–LaGuardia, New York 53,560 American, Delta 4 Washington–Dulles, Virginia 46,440 United 5 Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 44,370 United
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.Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, meeting minutes, December 3, 1997, https://lfweb.albemarle.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=930&dbid=0 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, 2023Canceled 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 1995Ended 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 2001Resumed 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.Continental ConnectionNew York–LaGuardiaLGAOperated by Colgan Air as of June 1999Continental ExpressNewarkEWROperated as of April 1997, unknown end date.Continental ExpressWashington–DullesIADOperated as of April 1997, unknown end date.USAirSalisburySBYOperated as of April 1995 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.United ExpressLynchburgLYHOperated by Atlantic Coast Airlines as of October 1993, unknown end date.USAirRoanokeROAEnded around 1991 due to a lack of demand.USAirHot SpringsHSPOperated as of October 1991Allegheny CommuterPittsburghPITOperated as of February 1985Air VirginiaWashington–NationalDCAOperated as of February 1985Piedmont AirlinesNorfolkORFOperated as of April 1981Air VirginiaRichmondRICOperated as of April 1981Air VirginiaPittsburghPITOperated as of April 1981Air VirginiaBaltimoreBWIOperated from around November 1979 to April 1981.Air VirginiaRoanokeROAOperated from around November 1979 to April 1981.Air VirginiaLynchburgLYHOperated from around November 1979 to April 1981.Air VirginiaWashington–DullesIADOperated from around November 1979 to April 1981. Piedmont Airlines Washington–Dulles IADPiedmont AirlinesWinston-SalemINTOperated from around November 1979 to April 1981. Piedmont Airlines Lynchburg LYHOperated from around April 1975 to February 1985. Piedmont Airlines Shenandoah SHDPiedmont AirlinesFayettevilleFAYPiedmont AirlinesHot SpringsHSP Piedmont Airlines Richmond RIC Scheduled as a daily flight in 1983 Piedmont Airlines Washington–National 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.
References
External links
Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport, official website
Virginia Tech's Virginia Big Tree Database, White Oak Tree information