Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is pleased to announce that Allegiant Airlines will begin non-stop service to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. beginning November 15. The low-fare carrier will offer flights twice weekly on varying days.

"Fort Lauderdale is one of the most requested routes by members of our region, and the team at Asheville Regional Airport has been diligently advocating for non-stop service to South Florida for several years," said Lew Bleiweis, Executive Director. "We are pleased to welcome the non-stop to Fort Lauderdale at Asheville Regional Airport, offered by a great partner of ours - Allegiant Travel Company. Allegiant is a low-fare air carrier, but even more than that - Allegiant offers excellent deals on full vacation packages in their destination markets - which now includes direct access from AVL to Orlando and South Florida."

The new flights will give western North Carolina residents an easy way to get to south Florida, but just as important, will provide a low-cost and easy way for south Florida residents to visit the mountains. "Air service is important to the economic vitality of our region, and impacts our tourism market," said Bleiweis. "Our data shows that there is a significant relationship between our area and south Florida, and this new service will help western North Carolina welcome even more visitors from Florida to our region, who will use our hotel rooms, eat at our restaurants, and contribute to our local economy. That's a big part of what air service development at AVL is all about."

To view flight schedules or to book a trip, visit allegiant.com.

Passengers traveling through Asheville Regional Airport will soon experience a marked upgrade in the boarding process in the gates 4−7 area. The airport is in the process of installing new passenger boarding bridges, an improvement that allows larger aircraft to park at those gates and also shelters passengers from the elements.

"The new bridges offer several improvements, including the ability to handle main line aircraft such as 737s and MD80s, and the largest of the three new gates will be able to accept a 757," said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., executive director. "Some of our gates were already equipped with these types of bridges, and this project brings several gates at the north end of the terminal up to the same level."

The $1.7 million project was paid for primarily by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant funds. Each year the airport receives approximately $2.3 million in project funding through the FAA's Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Congressman Heath Shuler supported the successful grant application, making it possible for AVL to make needed boarding bridge replacements.

"I am very pleased the FAA has awarded this important funding to the Asheville Regional Airport," Rep. Shuler said. "This grant will help the airport make necessary improvements to expand and upgrade its facilities, which in turn will improve economic development opportunities for businesses and travelers in Western North Carolina."

The first of the three bridges will be operational early this month and work will continue on the remaining two, with all three in operation by the end of the year.

Legislation changing the governance structure of Asheville Regional Airport was passed by the North Carolina general assembly on June 28, 2012. The legislation changes the current structure of the Asheville Regional Airport Authority from a joint governmental agency comprised primarily of Asheville City and Buncombe County appointees to an independent, state-sanctioned governing body. The independent airport authority will go into effect on July 1, 2012.

The Asheville Regional Airport board and management team are pleased with the legislation, and see this as a natural next step in the growth of the region's airport structure. As was the long-term vision of early leaders, Asheville Regional Airport has truly grown to be a regional entity - a true success. In 1979, the Asheville Regional Airport Authority was established as a joint governmental agency by the City of Asheville and the County of Buncombe for the purpose of maintaining, operating, regulating and improving the Asheville Regional Airport. This was a natural step for the organization at that time - moving from a department of the City of Asheville to a joint governmental agency. Growth and regionalization have continued to occur, which have propelled the organization to another milestone: its designation as an independent authority.

Lew Bleiweis, Airport Director, has seen airport governance move in this direction in recent years. "The airport industry is a cornerstone of the nation's travel infrastructure, and we have experienced significant change in the past few decades. Independent airport authorities are emerging more and more, due in large part to operational efficiencies that can be realized." In particular, the new independent airport authority structure at AVL will allow the Authority greater flexibility in property acquisition and development - key to an airport's continued growth and success. Also, grant applications, development of long-term leases, and non-aviation related business development will be more efficiently implemented.

"This legislation is a positive one for the airport and the region," said David Hillier, Asheville Regional Airport Authority board chairman. "Our legislators' support of this law recognizes the fact that AVL is in fact a regional economic engine. It is time for our governance structure to match what we have become."


A brief history about Asheville Regional Airport:
In 1958, the City of Asheville passed a $1.2 million bond referendum. The primary purpose of the referendum was to purchase land for new commercial airport. The on-going long-term economic impact to the region - through the attraction of new businesses, support of tourism and addition of jobs to the area - was the desired return on investment for this expenditure.

Because of the continued positive economic impact of the airport to the region, Buncombe County passed bond referenda that provided $8 million for airport expansion/improvements in the 1990s. Also, through the 50 year history of the airport's existence, millions of dollars of state and federal grant funds have been provided to improve the airport. Today, Asheville Regional Airport serves approximately 750,000 commercial passengers each year, the most by far in its 50 year history.

The word is out that our Runway 5k + Aviation Day is back by popular demand, and we’re more excited than ever because this year’s race on October 6 will cover the entire length of the runway at Asheville Regional Airport, giving you a chance to run more than a mile and a half of runway with your own two feet!

In fact, we’re so excited, we’re giving away FREE race registrations (along with very cool race shirts) to a few lucky winners. You have three chances to win, so give yourself the best shot at a free registration by entering all three giveaways. First, you can visit the Asheville Regional Airport Facebook page and enter the sweepstakes there. As a bonus, you’ll receive an additional entry for each friend you refer using the special link provided to you after you register. Second, you can go to a very cool local running blog called Carolina Runner and answer three simple trivia questions for another chance to win. Finally, ChiRunning, an Asheville-Based running website dedicated to teaching safe and efficient running technique, is giving away yet another free race registration, and you can enter to win by visiting their Facebook page. Early registration for the race opens July 1, and registering by September 1 guarantees you a race shirt. But that’s only half the excitement. The other half is our Aviation Day, which puts the focus on the thrill of aviation. Featuring aircraft on display, aviation experts on hand to answer your questions, food, live music, activities, prizes, and more, there is something for everyone at Aviation Day! So mark your calendar for Saturday, October 6, and be sure to enter for your chance to win a free race registration for the flattest 5k in the mountains!

A restored 1929 Ford Tri-Motor aircraft owned and operated by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will be on site at the Asheville Regional Airport June 7 – 10. The historic airplane is visiting Asheville as part of limited-stop tour of the Eastern U.S. and will be offering rides to the public.

Rich with history, the 9-seat Tri-Motor plane — nicknamed “The Tin Goose” — has served as a passenger transport plane, an aerial fire-fighting aircraft, a crop-duster, and has even served as the primary setting for a Jerry Lewis film. Now it has been fully restored and will be stationed near Landmark Aviation, Asheville Regional Airport’s fixed-base operator, at the north end of the airport campus.

Flights are $80 per person and will take place June 7, 2 – 5pm, and June 8, 9 and 10, 9am – 5pm.

For more information or to book a flight, visit www.flytheford.org or call 1-877-952-5395.
 

The Asheville Regional Airport Authority (ARAA) Board approved the City of Asheville's recommendation regarding a fire station located in the Airport Road corridor. After a nearly a year of discussions regarding options for the project, the City accepted as the most viable option the Airport Authority's proposed use of the public safety facility currently utilized by the airport. ARAA is moving forward with the design and construction of a new public safety building, which will leave the current facility vacant and available for use by the City.

"We are pleased to be able to offer our existing public safety building to the City in support of their efforts to most efficiently locate a fire station in the Airport Road area," said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Airport Director. "Our joint efforts over the past several months have resulted in a solution that is beneficial for both the City of Asheville and the airport."

Airport management will continue to work with City officials as progress is made on the new airport facility, which is slated for completion late summer, 2014.

The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) runway reopened after a short closure due to a minor aircraft incident.

At 3:03pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012, the Asheville Regional Airport Authority Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to a call regarding a hard landing on the runway by a helicopter. Two people were on board, and no injuries were reported.

The disabled helicopter was in the safety zone of the runway, which could not be reopened until the helicopter was removed, per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

The runway reopened at 4:23pm. One flight was cancelled, and one was diverted.

A huge part of Western North Carolina’s identity is tied to the incredible artistic talent that can be found here. From sculptors and painters to photographers and wood turners (not to mention all of the musicians!), there is a plethora of remarkable ability concentrated here in the mountains.

Five years ago in June, we launched a program called Art in the Airport for the sole purpose of supporting the arts — and showing off the work of these artists — right here in our airport terminal. What better way to welcome new visitors, we thought, than to give them a taste of the inspired culture that thrives here — before they even set foot on WNC soil.

And so we dedicated a humble 364-square-foot space to this goal and that first year we opened three exhibits (June, August, and November) and had some fantastic work on display. Year two brought four more exhibitions and 126 artistic treasures to our gallery.

All told, since 2007, we have featured 134 artists from 10 counties, and more than 500 pieces of artwork have been displayed. From artists with decades of experience, to teenagers just dipping their toes in the waters of creativity, our gallery has hosted some of the most exceptional work to be found in Western North Carolina.

Our first exhibit featured student artwork — primarily students from our own UNCA — and was a great way to kick off the program. There’s something about young talent that is truly inspirational.

After that first show, there was no turning back and the flood of artwork rolled in, with each piece taking its place in our gallery’s history, and some finding new homes in the residences of enamored buyers.

If these examples aren’t proof enough of the rich artistic culture, we welcome you to visit the airport to see for yourself the latest exhibit, which features photography and sculpture by five local artists.

It’s been an inspiring five years of Art in the Airport and we owe it to the imaginative and dedicated artists of Western North Carolina — thank you for sharing your talent with us and with the world!

Are you an artist, or do you know someone who is? We invite artists of all kinds – and all levels of experience – to apply for Art in the Airport. There’s no fee to apply or to display your work if you’re selected, and it’s a great way to gain exposure. For more information, visit flyavl.com and search “Art Gallery.”

Selections from the current exhibit, featuring Binna Green, Ivana Larrosa, Ed Law, Barbara Sammons, and David Simchock.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) will conduct a full-scale safety training exercise May 10 on the airport campus.

The training is part of an Airport Emergency Plan (AEP), which is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and serves to train a number of emergency services departments for disaster response at AVL, from planning and communication to response and triage.

"Our first priority is passenger safety, and the purpose of this practice is to continue our training and to work with our mutual aid partners from both Henderson and Buncombe Counties," said Public Safety Chief Jeff Augram.

The exercise, which is conducted once every three years, affords Mission, Pardee, and Park Ridge Hospitals an opportunity to exercise their plans and includes fire, EMS, and law enforcement, and personnel from the Asheville Regional Airport, Henderson County, the City of Asheville, and Buncombe County.

Since 9-11, a lot of things have changed in the aviation world. Perhaps the most notable transformation was the introduction of the Transportation Security Administration at security checkpoints nationwide. Our TSA agents work hard to keep us safe as we fly, and the agents at Asheville Regional Airport receive especially high marks from passengers for their friendliness, helpfulness, and all around jobs-well-done. (Good job, TSA!) One of the TSA’s most visible duties is the confiscation of prohibited items, and if you’ve traveled recently and inadvertently (or advertently — that’s a word that should be used more often) attempted to take a prohibited item through security, you know exactly what we’re talking about, and you’re not alone. Despite the fact that TSA maintains a list of prohibited items on their website (which you can find here), millions of travelers each year must abandon items at checkpoints — pocket knives, wine corkscrews, and the occasional mercury tooth filling. Just kidding — fillings are permitted to stay in place as they have not yet been deemed dangerous, at least not to airline passengers. The controversy over the danger of mercury fillings to your health, however, remains. But we digress. Our Department of Public Safety oversees a growing collection of items confiscated by the TSA. Most of these items will be taken to a metal scrap yard, melted down, and made into a brand new pocket knives — one of which you’ll probably go out and buy to replace the one you left at the checkpoint. It’s the sheer volume of items confiscated that’s so amazing. Take this box full of wine corkscrews for example: Or this box of knives: Which is just one of these THREE boxes of knives: And if you look really hard, below the box on the upper right, you can just barely make out the edges of several small barbells, which leads us to believe that the line blurted by luggage-toting husbands for decades — “What’d you pack in here – weights?!” — may, in fact, have a non-fiction origin. We’ll leave you with a picture of our favorite confiscated items currently in the Confiscation Closet (okay, we don’t really have a room called the Confiscation Closet, but it sounds pretty cool, so let’s go with it).