NORFOLK — Major upgrades are coming to Norfolk International Airport, with construction set to begin in 2025.
The planned major upgrades are in addition to a project that will kick off as 2024 rolls in. The airport will begin installing a moving walkway from the arrivals area that connects to the departure gates lobby. The airport will also continue working on its runway rehabilitation project in 2024.
The terminal expansion project that will break ground in early 2025 will see a massive overhaul to the airport. Planned upgrades include streamlining the check-in process with one entry, a consolidated checked bag screening area, a consolidated TSA security checkpoint, additional departure gates to Concourse A, and more.
The airport has seen a major uptick in passenger growth throughout the years. According to data from the airport, as of October 2023, 250,000 more passengers have traveled throughout Norfolk International than in October 2022.
Construction costs are estimated at $260 million and no final designs have been selected at this time.
In addition to upgrades inside the terminal, Norfolk International Airport is also moving forward with plans to add a hotel to the airport property. According to a release from the airport, ORF Hospitality Partners have been approved to begin negotiations to develop, manage, and operate the hotel.
“The Airport Authority goal with this project is to enhance ORF with an internationally branded, full-service airport hotel within walking distance and adjacent to the existing Departures Terminal building. The hotel will serve as an important amenity to the traveling public and will have meeting spaces, restaurants, and other features expected by airport patrons,” according to the release.
Construction on the hotel would likely begin six to nine months after designs are conceptualized. Once the groundbreaking takes place, construction is slated to take about 24 months.
Norfolk International also recently announced that Breeze Airways and Spirit Airlines will begin flights to Southwest Florida Airport (located just outside Fort Meyers, Florida) and Tampa as non-stop destinations.
Norfolk Airport currently serves Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Breeze, Delta, Frontier Airlines, United, Spirit, and Southwest. Among those airlines are 41 nonstop destinations including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Las Vegas.
To stay up to date on the planned renovations at the airport, visit norfolkairport.com.