NORFOLK — As part of an effort to transform Norfolk International Airport into a better experience for travelers, construction projects have been ongoing and airport officials say those projects are running right on schedule.
During a hard hat tour hosted by AIA Coastal Virginia on Jan. 21, members of the media had the opportunity to see the construction updates as Concourse A comes together.
Concourse A’s upgrades include three new gates, hold areas, new restrooms and a pet relief area. The capacity will replace ground loading facilities and provide gate-connected overnight aircraft parking. The new space will be occupied by American Airlines and is set to open to the public in mid-March.
In conjunction with the Concourse A expansion project, ORF is also constructing a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Services facility. The space will serve as a processing center for both international and Global Entry passengers. The international arrivals facility is expected to open later this month.
According to Mark Perryman, President and CEO of the Norfolk Airport Authority, the addition of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility was a necessity to add more international travel options for Hampton Roads passengers.
“Since I arrived in Virginia four years ago, one of the questions I’ve heard most often is, ‘Why is it Norfolk International Airport when there are no international flights at ORF?’ There have long been international charter flights and private aircraft that enter the United States here for many years, but we recognized locals really want the ability to book a flight on a commercial air carrier to fly directly to destinations outside of this country,” Perryman said.
New food and beverage opportunities will also be available to travelers. ORF sought local eateries and brands to open spaces within the airport. Planned dining establishments include a Buffalo Wild Wings, Stockpot, Ghost Kitchen, COVA Brewing and more. The first new concession establishment is set to open in the spring.
The airport will also break ground on a new observation area for plane spotters. The location will offer an expanded parking lot, access to nearby restrooms, spaces for food trucks and a children’s playground. The area will feature views of Runway 05/23 that will allow guests to watch arriving and departing flights. Work is scheduled to begin in February with the area estimated to be finished in fall 2027.
“Observation areas are popular amenities at airports across the world, including at ORF. People love to be up close to aircraft to watch them as they take off or land. Our current observation area is very narrow and doesn’t offer much room between the fenceline and roadway. We’ll soon replace it with a larger area that offers room for more vehicles plus extra amenities such as restrooms, a children’s playground, as well as spaces in which we can host food trucks. I’m confident it’ll be a big hit for local aviation enthusiasts,” Perryman said.
Also set to break ground later this year is a new rental car facility, followed by work beginning in late 2026 on a combined security checkpoint with access to both Concourse A and B.
Some of the airport’s upgrades have already been completed as part of the modernization efforts. Those include a complete runway 05/23 rehabilitation with full resurfacing, an 80-space park-and-wait lot, and moving walkways to connect terminals.
The full renovation is expected to be completed in late 2028.
To learn more about the planned upgrades, visit transformorf.com.