Travelers in the Washington DC area may soon have another option for commercial flights. Manassas Regional Airport, located in Virginia, is undergoing a redevelopment project valued at up to $125 million. The airport aims to accommodate flights from low-cost and point-to-point carriers.
Manassas Regional Airport, also known as Harry P. Davis Field, is a general aviation airport serving the National Capitol region. It was originally approved by former Manassas Mayor Harry P. Davis in 1930 and officially opened on June 8th, 1932. Over the years, the airport has expanded and relocated to its current site in the 1960s.
The first airline to serve Manassas was Colgan Airlines, which operated from 1971 until 1986 with small turboprop aircraft. In recent developments, the city purchased an air traffic control tower from Centennial, CO in 1992 and opened a new terminal building in 1996.
Today, Manassas is Virginia’s largest general aviation airport according to the Federal Aviation Administration. It handles approximately 110,000 general aviation takeoffs and landings annually and serves various types of aircraft including private, law enforcement, military, and medivac planes.
Efforts are underway to bring nonstop flights back to Manassas after more than three decades. In 2023, the Manassas City Council endorsed a resolution approving a lease agreement between the airport and Avports for up to ten daily flights. This deal includes constructing a terminal with four to six gates without taxpayer funding.
Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger commented on these changes: “Change is hard, but it can be done…This city is moving forward.” Avports estimates that this conversion will create hundreds of jobs and generate over $40 million annually in tax revenue.
Avports has experience managing airports across the nation and recently redeveloped Tweed New Haven Airport (HPN). They plan to build a new terminal at Manassas adjacent to existing structures while maintaining current facilities for general aviation use.
Matt Shelby from Avports noted that “Manassas was largely already managing to commercial standards,” requiring only minor improvements for certification as it transitions from general aviation to commercial service under Part 139 certification requirements.
The Federal Aviation Administration is working with the airport on completing an Environmental Assessment before issuing necessary certifications for commercial operations. If approvals are granted promptly this year’s end could see flights commence by Christmas according Matt Shelby’s projections: “If we get those approvals back I think odds are very high we’ll have flights by Christmas.”
Several airlines have shown interest in serving Manassas due its strategic location near major hubs like Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Point-to-point carriers who avoid traditional hub-and-spoke models might find operating out of Manassa attractive according Terry L Clower Director George Mason University Center Regional Analysis said having variety air transportation options beneficial regional attractiveness
Airlines such Avelo Breeze Airways JetBlue expressed interest expanding services Northeast US potentially considering adding routes include Florida popular destination underserved residents area However specific details potential partnerships remain undisclosed time being
