Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport
Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (IATA: CHO, ICAO: KCHO, FAA LID: CHO) is an airport eight miles north of Charlottesville, in Albemarle County, Virginia, United States. It opened in 1955 and serves the Charlottesville/Albemarle region with non-stop flights to five major cities [4] on three airlines' subsidiaries.[5] CHO underwent major construction in summer 2006; an 800-foot runway extension began in summer 2010 and was completed in December 2012.[6][7][8]
Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport | |||||||||||
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Summary | |||||||||||
Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
Owner | Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority | ||||||||||
Serves | Charlottesville, Virginia | ||||||||||
Location | Albemarle County, VA | ||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 640 ft / 195 m | ||||||||||
Coordinates | 38°08′19″N 078°27′10″W | ||||||||||
Website | www.GoCHO.com | ||||||||||
Map | |||||||||||
![]() ![]() CHO ![]() ![]() CHO | |||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||
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Statistics (12 months ending October 2021 except where noted) | |||||||||||
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021–2025 categorized it as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.[9] Federal Aviation Administration records say it had 274,767 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2015 and 295,930 in 2016.[10] The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority says there were 628,611 total passengers (enplaned and deplaned) in fiscal year 2017.[11]
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 September 2022, the airport was served by ERJ-145, E170, E175, CRJ-200, CRJ-700, CRJ-900 and 717 aircraft.
Facilities
The airport covers 710 acres (287 ha) at an elevation of 640 feet (195 m). Its single runway, 3/21, is 6,801 by 150 feet (2,073 m × 46 m) long.[1][12]
The airport has a 60,000 sq ft (6,000 m2) terminal with on-site rental cars (Enterprise, Avis, Budget, & National), 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[13] and aircraft charter firms.
In 2019 the airport opened "The Founders 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 decor 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, 8 multi-engine, 6 jet, 1 helicopter, and 1 ultralight.[1]
Airlines and destinations

Passenger
Airlines | Destinations | Refs |
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American Eagle | Charlotte, New York–LaGuardia, Philadelphia[14] | [15] |
Avelo Airlines | Orlando | [16] |
Delta Connection | Atlanta, New York–LaGuardia | [17] |
United Express | Chicago–O'Hare (resumes August 7, 2023),[18] Washington–Dulles | [19] |
Destinations map |
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Destinations from Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Red = Year-round destination Blue = Future destination |
Top routes
Rank | City | Passengers | Top carriers |
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1 | ![]() |
101,570 | American |
2 | ![]() |
59,160 | Delta |
3 | ![]() |
58,980 | American |
4 | ![]() |
29,810 | United |
5 | ![]() |
10,690 | American, United |
6 | ![]() |
700 | American |
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. 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
- FAA Airport Form 5010 for CHO PDF, effective January 27, 2022.
- "Charlottesville (CHO) Summary Statistics". Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 2017" (PDF). January 11, 2018.
- "Routes & Stops - CHO". CHO Official Website. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- "Airlines CHO". CHO Official Website. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- Sharon C. Fitzgerald (July 14, 2010). "Airport runway expansion taking off". The Daily Progress. Archived from the original on July 20, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
- "FAA Shutdown Could Affect CHO Airport Runway Construction". NBC29.com. August 4, 2011. Archived from the original on March 6, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
- Nate Delesline III (December 21, 2012). "Local airport completes runway extension, sees record traffic". The Daily Progress. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- "NPIAS Report 2021-2025 Appendix A" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. September 30, 2020. p. 105. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-10-21. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- "Enplanements for CY 2016" (PDF). Commercial Service Airports (Rank Order) based on Calendar Year 2016 Enplanements. Federal Aviation Administration. October 10, 2017.
- "Operating Statistics FY 2018" (PDF). Operating Statistics-Fiscal Year 2018. Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority. November 30, 2017.
- "CHO airport at skyvector.com". Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- "About Pegasus". Pegasus website. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
- "American NS23 Domestic Network Additions Summary – 18DEC22". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- "Flight schedules and notifications". Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- "Avelo Airlines Destinations". Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- "Delta Route Map". Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- https://dailyprogress.com/community/greenenews/news/direct-philadelphia-flights-to-return-at-charlottesville-airport/article_d5c54a00-b773-11ed-aec0-a7e14862d67e.html
- "United Route Map". Retrieved 21 February 2023.
External links

- Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport, official website
- Aerial image as of April 1994 from USGS The National Map
- FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective April 20, 2023
- FAA Terminal Procedures for CHO, effective April 20, 2023
- Virginia Tech's Virginia Big Tree Database, White Oak Tree information
- Resources for this airport:
- AirNav airport information for KCHO
- ASN accident history for CHO
- FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
- NOAA/NWS weather observations: current, past three days
- SkyVector aeronautical chart for KCHO
- FAA current CHO delay information