Norfolk International Airport Is Bringing Sexy Back.
Granted, appearances aren’t everything, but the look and feel of airports as gateways to the world play a significant role in how travelers perceive not only their travel experiences, but the allure of their destinations, not to mention the appeal of returning home.
With a number of major phased in projects underway or on the immediate horizon, Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is nodding to the past and “staying true to who we are,” while creating an integrated, timeless flow of clean lines, open space, miles of glass, and updated materials and finishes, says Mark Perryman, president and CEO of the Norfolk Airport Authority. Perryman, who trained as an architect and has spent over 30 years traveling the globe as an airport consultant, quotes an adage to express the uniqueness of each airport’s needs, “When you’ve seen one airport, you’ve seen one airport.”
But the glow-up doesn’t stop at visual seduction. Not since 1974 has ORF undertaken a modernization endeavor of this scale. With an enhanced passenger experience and improved operational efficiencies for airlines, tenants, and the Norfolk Airport Authority top of mind, architectural design and aviation management are a twin focus.
If you find yourself pining for the halcyon days of commercial air travel, c. 1950s and 1960s—even if you are too young to have experienced flight attendants serving full meals on real china wearing pillbox hats and white gloves—remember, that “golden era” of flight was only golden for the privileged. Plus, it was far less safe and far more turbulent because planes flew at lower altitudes. But it is difficult for travelers to keep that in perspective when faced with congestion, cramped spaces, and canceled flights.
Concourse A
Expansion Exterior
Addressing these concerns is part of a bigger picture of infrastructure and capacity layered atop regulatory compliance, security and safety, environmental impact, and more, all of which Perryman and his team consider with every decision, all while trying to predict future needs some 20 years down the road. “We’ve been discovered,” he says of coastal Virginia and northeast North Carolina, citing double-digit growth for ORF in the last three years since COVID-19.
With a “50-50 market”—50% leisure and 50% business travel—”we’re in a good position for an airport,” Perryman continues. Plus, when you have hot demand for service to the Caribbean, and low-cost carriers—Breeze, Frontier, Sprint, etc.—offering new point-to-point flights, “you get a lot more activity.” In 2023 alone, ORF served 4.5 million passengers and more than 75,000 flight operations, earning a 4-Star regional airport rating from Skytrax, placing ORF in the top 13% of U.S. airports and one of only seven (out of 572) 4-star airports in the U.S.
Following are brief overviews of six “5-star” upgrades (in addition to runway rehab and a new, convenient Park and Wait Lot). The total price tag of nearly $1 billion will be largely financed through a combination of federal grant dollars, airport cash reserves, partner financing, and money borrowed against future earnings on the bond market.
Moving Walkway
Concourse A Expansion
To meet increased demand, Alpha Concourse will grow by three gates offering airlines gate-connected overnight aircraft parking and passengers larger, modernized gate areas known as hold rooms necessitated by the large capacity of today’s aircraft. New restrooms, a changing room, and a pet relief area round out this light and bright makeover with its emphasis on convenience, comfort, and contemporary-but-classic style. Begin: summer 2024; anticipated completion: late 2025 - early 2026.
International Arrivals
Summer 2024 saw the groundbreaking of this new Federal Inspection Services facility whose cutting-edge design is anticipated to meet demand for the next quarter century, especially as new nonstop international service comes on board. Designed in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, this Global Entry and international passenger processing center will be able to service “a couple aircraft at a time,” says Perryman,” and “will make the Customs folks happy.” Anticipated completion: late 2025 – early 2026.
Ticketing Lobby
Replacing the ticketing and baggage areas on the north and south sides of the Departures Terminal will be a new light-filled curb front ticketing lobby. With a design concept featuring soaring ceilings and walls of windows, the facility will offer “common use” space that airlines can “flex” into. Perryman explains that this approach requires a smaller footprint than dedicated ticketing space, thereby creating greater efficiency. Digital, rather than permanent signage will make wayfinding a welcome breeze. Timeframe: next five or so years.
Consolidated Rental Car Center
This state-of-the-art facility, located south of the Departures Terminal, will consolidate all rental car companies plus their rentals, pick-ups and return services under one roof. Moving rental cars out of the two floors they presently occupy in the parking garage will relieve pressure on parking availability while creating greater efficiency for both travelers and rental car companies. These agencies must currently drive cars to Military Highway for servicing, creating a lag time of up to several hours as well as unwanted traffic in surrounding neighborhoods. Timeline: next 5 or so years.
Return of the Moving Walkways
A much missed and discussed feature of the customer experience linking the Arrivals and Departures terminals will return as a more sustainable and efficient younger cousin of ORF’s previous moving walkways. Built into the floor, the earlier version was difficult to maintain and repair, and obtaining parts a challenge. The new iteration will be positioned along the floor-to-ceiling windows of the 300-foot-long skybridge, better lit, wider to allow for passengers to “stand to the right, walk to the left,” and will “float” for easier maintenance and upgrades. Begin: September 2024; anticipated completion: late 2025 - early 2026.
Courtyard by Marriott
The Norfolk Airport Authority has teamed up with ORF Hospitality Partners to bring exceptional amenities and convenience to business and other overnight travelers via a new Courtyard by Marriott. The result of working with the airport architect to create a clean, uniform look, the six-story, 165-room hotel will connect to the Main Terminal from its stylish second story lobby by a pedestrian bridge. A rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking the airport campus and Norfolk Botanical Gardens plus a fitness center, meeting rooms and dedicated parking area are part of what will make this hotel “the best deal for airport and community.” Begin: January 2025; anticipated completion: spring 2026.
For more information on the expansion and improvements, visit TransformORF.com.
