CHARLOTTESVILLE-ALBEMARLE AIRPORT AUTHORITY

What CHARLOTTESVILLE-ALBEMARLE AIRPORT AUTHORITY does

Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority is a Virginia municipal airport authority that operates Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO), a non-hub commercial service airport established in 1955 and serving Central Virginia. The airport provides scheduled passenger air service through three core airline partners—American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines—offering over 40 daily nonstop flights to major connector hubs including Charlotte, Atlanta, New York-LaGuardia, Washington-Dulles, Chicago-O'Hare, and (as of September 2026) Newark. The physical asset base includes a 60,000 square-foot terminal, a 6,801-foot grooved asphalt runway with full parallel taxiway system, and FAA Part 139 certification with 24/7 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) capabilities operated by an on-site Department of Public Safety.

Beyond commercial aviation, CHO supports a general aviation ecosystem through Signature Aviation's full-service Fixed Base Operator (FBO), Charlottesville Flight Center's flight training operations, Pegasus air medical transport (UVA Health System, serving 800+ patients annually since 1984), Meridian Air Group charter services, and Clear Sky Aviation avionics maintenance. The airport authority monetizes its operations through seven primary revenue streams: parking fees (short-term $13/day maximum, economy $9/day maximum, with 30 minutes free), concession revenues operated by Tailwinds (Turbo Grill, Copilot Coffee, Radar Bar), rental car commissions across nine brands, ground transportation permitting, airline landing fees, terminal space rentals, and Passenger Facility Charges collected under FAA-approved PFC Application 18-23-C-00-CHO.

The airport recorded 351,624 enplanements in 2024, up 13.7% from 309,252 in 2023 and 33.4% from 263,655 in 2022, reflecting both post-pandemic recovery and active air service development. CHO is governed by an independent board chaired by Jeff Richardson, with executive leadership under CEO Jason Burch (appointed August 2023) and CFO Penny Shifflett. The authority is actively expanding its route network with confirmed new United service to Newark (September 2026), restored American service to Chicago O'Hare (November 2026), and ongoing demand-building for a potential Boston nonstop.

Name

CHARLOTTESVILLE-ALBEMARLE AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Legal name

Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority

Website

https://gocho.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority operates Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO), a non-hub commercial service airport serving Central Virginia with 351,624 enplanements in 2024 and over 40 daily nonstop flights via American, Delta, and United Airlines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Operations and Commercial Aviation Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

Keywords

• Commercial airport operations
• Passenger air services
• Airport parking facilities
• Ground transportation services
• General aviation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlottesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Parking Fees: Airport-operated parking facilities generate revenue from short-term, long-term, and economy parking. Short-term: $13/day max, Long-term: varies, Economy: $9/day max. Parking fees dedicated to operating expenses and future parking expansion projects.
2. Concession Revenues: Terminal concessions including Turbo Grill restaurant, Copilot Coffee, Radar Bar, and gift shop. Concession operator Tailwinds manages food and beverage services. Revenue from percentage of sales and minimum guarantees.
3. Rental Car Commissions: Rental car counters located in baggage claim area for Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, Alamo, Hertz, Thrifty, Payless, Dollar brands. Airport generates revenue through concession fees and space rentals.
4. Ground Transportation Fees: Taxi providers must register annually with the airport. Revenue from permitting and registration fees for ground transportation operators including taxis and TNCs.
5. Airport Landing Fees: Fees charged to airlines for landing aircraft at the airport, based on aircraft weight and type of operation.
6. Terminal Space Rentals: Leasing of terminal space to airlines, concessions, rental car companies, and other tenants. Revenue from rent and facility charges.
7. Passenger Facility Charges (PFC): Per-passenger charges collected for approved PFC applications to fund eligible airport capital projects. PFC Application 18-23-C-00-CHO and Amendment #1 filed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority operates a non-hub commercial service airport (CHO) providing scheduled passenger airline service through American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines with over 40 daily nonstop flights to major connector hubs. The airport operates a 60,000 sq ft terminal facility, runway 3-21 (6,801 ft grooved asphalt), parking facilities, ground transportation coordination, terminal concessions, and a 24/7 Department of Public Safety with ARFF capabilities under FAA Part 139 certification.

Product overview

Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO) operates as a non-hub, commercial service airport offering a comprehensive portfolio of aviation and passenger services. The airport's core offerings include scheduled commercial airline service from three major carriers (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines) providing over 40 daily non-stop flights to major connector hubs. Supporting infrastructure includes a 60,000 sq. ft. terminal with modern amenities, parking services (short-term, long-term, and economy), ground transportation coordination (taxis, TNCs, rental cars, shuttles), and terminal concessions (Turbo Grill, Copilot Coffee, Radar Bar). General aviation services encompass a full-service Fixed Base Operation (Signature Aviation), flight training (Charlottesville Flight Center), aircraft charter (Meridian Air Group), emergency air medical transport (Pegasus), and avionics maintenance (Clear Sky Aviation). Safety is maintained through the on-site Department of Public Safety with 24/7 law enforcement and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) capabilities. The airport also provides supporting services including lost and found (via Pixit system), accessibility accommodations, free WiFi, and a pay-per-use lounge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Airline Service
• Terminal Facilities
• Parking Services
• Ground Transportation Coordination
• Rental Car Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 351,624 enplanements in 2024, representing 13.7% growth from 2023
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American AirlinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmerican Airlines is a core airline partner providing daily nonstop service from CHO to Charlotte and New York-LaGuardia. Returning twice-daily Chicago O'Hare service November 2, 2026. Local counter hours 4:00AM-6:30PM daily.
• Delta Air LinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelta Air Lines provides daily nonstop flights to New York-LaGuardia and Atlanta with connections to hundreds of destinations worldwide.
• United AirlinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnited Airlines provides daily nonstop service to Chicago-O'Hare and Washington-Dulles. Adding new daily Newark service starting September 24, 2026 using 50-seat CRJ550 aircraft.
• Tailwinds ConcessionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTailwinds Concessions operates all food and beverage services including Turbo Grill, Copilot Coffee, and Radar Bar. Hours 4:00AM until last flight. Contact: 434-973-0134.
• Avis Budget GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAvis and Budget rental car brands operate on-site counters in baggage claim. Avis: 434-973-6000, Budget: 434-973-3079.
• Enterprise HoldingscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnterprise and National rental car brands operate on-site counters. Hours 8:00AM-12:00AM. Contact: 434-973-8801.
• HertzcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHertz provides on-site rental car services with counter in baggage claim. Hours Sunday-Friday 8:00AM-12:00AM. Contact: 434-208-1295.
• Signature AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSignature Aviation provides 24/7 FBO services including fueling (100LL and Jet-A), ground handling up to B-757, maintenance, charters, de-ice services, hangar storage. Contact: 434-978-1474.
• Charlottesville Flight CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlight school at 200 Bowen Loop Suite 100 offering pilot training, aircraft rentals, aerial sightseeing. Director: Halsey Green. Over 10 years operating. Contact: 434-964-1474.
• Pegasus (UVA Health System)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital-based air medical transport service providing care to over 800 patients annually. Operating since 1984 as extension of UVA Department of Emergency Medicine. Critical emergency services partner.
• Meridian Air GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAircraft charter service based at CHO. Contact: 434-975-7478. Offers custom travel schedules for business and personal charter.
• Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau (CACVB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to promote Charlottesville tourism and visitor information. CACVB assists tour operators, meeting planners, and groups with attractions, restaurants, and hotels.
• TSAcoreOthersTransportation Security Administration provides security screening at CHO checkpoint, opening daily at 4:00AM. Part 139 compliance requirements.
• FAAcoreOthersFederal Aviation Administration certifies airport under Part 139 for commercial operations, establishes runway requirements, and provides regulatory oversight.
• Midwest ATCcoreTechnology or IntegrationAir traffic control services provider at CHO airport.
• R&S/Hill (Engineering Consultant)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering consultant firm involved in Terminal Apron Rehabilitation and other airport improvement projects. Multiple project managers listed including Chad Ackley, PE and Raymond Yankey, PE.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eugene Airport (EUG): Non-hub regional airport with comparable enplanement scale serving a mid-sized regional catchment. Operates scheduled service with similar big-three airline mix and a parallel mix of parking, concessions, and general aviation infrastructure.
• Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT): Non-hub commercial service airport with comparable enplanement scale, multi-carrier service model, and similar position competing with larger nearby hub airports. Parallel revenue mix across parking, concessions, and airline fees.
• Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA): Virginia-based regional airport of similar size serving a comparable catchment anchored by a major university (Virginia Tech). Operates scheduled commercial service, FBO, and parking/concessions under an authority governance structure parallel to CHO.
• Asheville Regional Airport (AVL): Similar non-hub commercial service airport in a university/tourism-anchored regional catchment with comparable enplanement scale (~700K range) and multi-carrier service mix. Closest analogue in terms of mission, infrastructure footprint, and route development model.
• Mobile International Airport (MOB): Regional non-hub airport authority with similar enplanement scale, multi-carrier commercial service, and parallel infrastructure offerings including FBO and parking-driven revenue mix.
• Wilmington International Airport (ILM): Non-hub regional commercial service airport with similar enplanement scale, multi-carrier service (American, Delta, United), and parallel infrastructure mix (terminal, parking, FBO, general aviation). Comparable size and revenue model make it a close direct peer.
• Tallahassee International Airport (TLH): Non-hub commercial service airport of comparable size serving a state-capital regional catchment. Similar governance structure, mixed passenger/general aviation operations, and parallel airline mix (American, Delta, United/Silver).
• Evansville Regional Airport (EVV): Mid-sized non-hub commercial service airport with parallel revenue model, multi-carrier scheduled service, and authority governance. Comparable scale and infrastructure footprint to CHO.

Broad incumbents

• Richmond International Airport (RIC): Larger Virginia-based commercial service airport operated by a regional airport authority. Represents a key competitive substitute for CHO catchment passengers and an industry benchmark for similar regional commercial operations at greater scale.
• Norfolk International Airport (ORF): Larger Virginia commercial service airport offering broader route coverage. Operates as a broader regional incumbent in the same state, competing for passenger leakage from CHO's catchment and providing a scale benchmark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CHOAirport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@OfficialCHOAirport
• Facebookfacebook.com/CHOAirport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/charlottesville-albemarle-airport-authority

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CHARLOTTESVILLE-ALBEMARLE AIRPORT AUTHORITY