As legislators representing the Roanoke Valley, we often talk about economic development, workforce growth and the need to ensure our region remains competitive in a rapidly changing economy. But too often, foundational infrastructure assets that enable this economic growth go underappreciated.
The Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport (ROA) is one of those assets and has been for nearly a century. And today, more than ever, it stands at the center of our region’s economic future. That’s why we plan to coordinate on the introduction and support of budget amendments to fund two critical investments in ROA during the upcoming General Assembly session: $40 million for terminal enhancements and $7 million for an airfield study that will determine the feasibility and cost of a potential runway extension at the airport. These are not abstract projects. They are important steps to ensure that our region can compete for jobs, talent, tourism and growth.
Founded in 1929 and used as a major World War II flight training site, ROA has long been an anchor of mobility and economic opportunity for our region. Today, it serves more than 750,000 passengers each year, supports nearly 3,400 jobs and contributes $625 million annually to Virginia’s economy. And demand for air service continues to grow, as demonstrated by American Airlines’ announcement just last month of new year-round daily nonstop service between ROA and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. This addition significantly expands the region’s connectivity, strengthening access for the business community to national and international markets while offering leisure travelers more convenient routes to sought-after destinations.
For businesses considering expansion or relocation, reliable commercial air service is not a luxury — it is a prerequisite. And for families, students, visitors and military travelers, ROA is the gateway that keeps our region connected to the rest of the country. But infrastructure built for a different era often cannot adequately serve the needs of the next one. If we don’t invest now, we risk losing ground — and losing service.
The first budget request — $40 million for terminal modernization — addresses challenges that every traveler at ROA has experienced firsthand. After 9/11, airports across the country were required to comply with new federal security requirements, often with little space to do so. At ROA, that meant repurposing an aircraft gate to accommodate passenger screening. Two decades later, this workaround is straining under the current volume of air traffic.
Crowded lines, bottlenecks at screening areas and limited space for both passengers and equipment are not just inconveniences. They affect safety, reliability and the airport’s ability to restore the gate it lost to security needs. They also limit opportunities to expand concessions — an important element of the modern travel experience.
The proposed upgrades will relocate and expand the passenger screening area, move all baggage screening to the rear service area, improve concession space and restore the lost gate in order to add an additional jetway. These improvements will expand capacity and enhance efficiency for airlines, reduce wait times for travelers and create a terminal experience that reflects the expectations of today’s flying public. As new routes come online — such as American Airlines’ nonstop service to Dallas-Fort Worth — this expanded capacity will be essential.
When businesses and prospective employers visit our region, the airport is often their first impression. We want that experience to communicate what we know to be true: that the Roanoke region is modern, forward-looking and ready for growth.
The second request — $7 million for an airfield study — is equally important. This study will analyze the financial feasibility, engineering requirements and cost of a potential runway extension.
ROA’s primary east-west runway remains safe for operations, but it relies on a grandfathered Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exemption. FAA standards evolve over time, and a future administration could revoke this exemption. If that happens and ROA has no plan for meeting the updated standards, our entire region’s commercial air service could be put at risk.
In addition to safety considerations, the current runway length already limits air service opportunities. Because aircraft must balance fuel load, passenger count and distance, shorter runways restrict how far airlines can fly. That means fewer direct destinations, fewer long-haul routes and fewer options for businesses whose employees travel frequently.
The geography around the airport limits options for expansion: mountains to the north, a shopping mall and elementary school to the south, and a valley to the east. The only feasible direction for extension is west across I-581 — a complex undertaking that requires careful planning. This study will give the commonwealth the information it needs to make responsible decisions about the future of ROA and, by extension, the future of our regional economy.
These two budget requests are not isolated projects. Together, they form a deliberate strategy: prepare ROA to meet federal safety requirements, accommodate future air service needs, support business recruitment and provide a travel experience that matches what passengers expect from a modern airport.
When we talk to employers — from advanced manufacturers to healthcare systems to small business owners — the message is consistent: reliable air service is essential. It affects hiring. It affects competitiveness. It affects our ability to retain the next generation of talent.
ROA has served our region with distinction for nearly 100 years. Investing in ROA is not just an investment in an airport. It is an investment in the economic trajectory of the Blue Ridge region and the prosperity of the Roanoke Valley. With thoughtful investment today, it can continue to serve as a catalyst for economic opportunity for the next century.
We are proud to carry these budget amendments forward, and we urge our colleagues in the General Assembly to join us in supporting them. The Roanoke Valley — and the entire commonwealth — will reap the benefits.
State Sen. Chris Head and Del. Terry Austin are both Republicans from Botetourt County.