We’re working like mad to pull together the most unique exhibit the airport Art Gallery has ever seen, and you’re about to get a sneak peek. Opening Tuesday, June 7^th, the exhibit features the history of the Asheville Regional Airport and its place in culture through the decades since it first opened in 1961. Here are some teasers to pique your curiosity. Enjoy, and be sure to stop by to explore the exhibit! [gallery link="file" columns="4"]

Allow us to introduce you to our favorite new TV channel. Actually, it’s not a channel at all, but rather a unique collection of content designed to give you—the airline passenger—information specific to your travel destination (or layover location) while you wait to board your flight. Now featured in the gate areas of our terminal are three Prodigiq Airport TV Network televisions that feature programming directly related to the destination in which you’re about to land. For example, if you’re waiting for a flight to Orlando on AirTran, you might see information about dining or attractions, or the current weather conditions, in Orlando. You’ll also get real-time flight information, breaking news, business and sports news—even cooking demonstrations. The three flat-screen monitors cover all seven gates—two near gates 1–3, and one near gates 4–7. One of our favorite features is the ability to choose where you sit and how much audio you hear as a result. Pick a front-row, center spot and you’ll be treated to audio from multiple speakers. Select a seat a few rows away and you’ll have enough quiet to read a book and still glance up to catch headlines. The audio has also been carefully set at a level that allows passengers to hear the all-important airline announcements. It’s not just the programming we’re excited about, but also the power-saving schedule that turns the screens on for the first passengers arriving at the airport in the morning, and shuts them down between flights and for the night, after the last flight arrives. As we develop more tech-centric services for passengers, this system can easily be integrated with airport messaging, ADA-compliant messaging and airline announcements, all in the name of helping you take the easy way out.

Last week’s announcement by the Department of Transportation regarding airline passenger rights was chock full of good news for travelers. The new regulations—which take effect in August—not only make air travel easier, but also provide solutions for a few common-sense issues we’ve been hearing about here in “airport world” for a while. Here’s a breakdown of the rules: 1)      Airlines will be required to disclose, in plain view on their websites, any possible additional fees. This means when you book your ticket online, there won’t be any surprises. Everything from bag fees and cancellation or change fees, to meals, upgrades—even government taxes and fees—must be presented clearly. 2)      If your bag is lost, the airline must refund your baggage fee. We can probably all agree this just makes sense. 3)      If you’ve ever been bumped from a flight involuntarily because of an overbooked plane, you’ll appreciate this one: Increased compensation for involuntary bumping. The new rule increases the payment passengers may receive for both short and long delays. 4)      International flights by U.S. airlines—as well as by foreign airlines at U.S. airports—are now required to limit tarmac delays to four hours (with a few sensible exceptions for security and air traffic reasons). Passengers must also be provided food and water after the two-hour mark, plus the obvious necessities of working restrooms and medical care, if and when it’s needed. It’s great to glimpse some positive changes for airline passengers. From the customer service perspective, these regulations are a much needed (and, frankly, much overdue) improvement to the air travel industry, and we’ll be happy to see them take effect later this summer.

Dictionary.com defines spring like this: “the season between winter and summer.” Really? That’s it? Because it sure seems like it deserves a little more credit than simply an “in-between season.” Spring, from what we understand, is the season 96% of the population just can’t wait for (based on absolutely no empirical data but on the comments routinely heard around the airport, i.e. “Ugh, is it SPRING yet?!”). Spring carries with it not only warmer weather and the emergence of hibernating creatures and plant life, but also an energy all its own that motivates us humans to emerge from hibernation as well—to pry ourselves from our HDTVs and couch clothes and propel us into gardening gear, jogging suits and—we have to say it—airplanes! Spring fever, defined by the same source as a “…restless feeling commonly associated with the beginning of spring,” is in full-swing. And much like the groundhogs and black bears we’ve begun to see here in Western North Carolina (a few groundhogs have already been spotted at the airport exit off I-26), new airlines and flights are springing to life as well. Just yesterday we welcomed a new airline—Vision—with a ceremonial water arch (because watering things in the spring helps them grow?) which can fly you from Asheville to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, in just over an hour and just under $90 each way. Bursting on the scene this spring is also the return of AirTran’s popular (and low cost!) non-stop flight to Tampa, Florida, PLUS new service to Philadelphia on US Airways. And in late spring, American Airlines is returning with service to Dallas/Ft. Worth. So get outside, get your lawn chores done, and then book yourself a little vacation. Let’s give spring the credit it deserves and make the most of this beautiful season!

It’s photo Friday at AVL and we found some fun stuff in our new restaurant and gift shop, Blue Ridge Trading + Tavern. Check it out! Grab and go newspapers... Mmm... pastries! Dozens of books. (Speaking of reading, check out the Read and Return program.) Plus some fun souvenirs!

“We are constantly working to get new destinations because we know that’s what you want: You want good, low fares and you want non-stop flights,” said David Hillier, Chair of the Asheville Regional Airport Authority Board, from the podium at Thursday’s Business After Hours event hosted by the airport.

The event, attended by more than 300 Asheville Area and Henderson County Chamber members and elected officials, was held in celebration of the opening of a new gate area, security checkpoint, and restaurant and bar. The airport also kicked off a celebration of its 50th year of service in Western North Carolina.

Hillier continued his address to area travelers: “So now here comes the commercial. I want everybody to think 'flyavl.com —repeat: flyavl.com.' That’s your first stop when you’re looking for air travel out of the Asheville Regional Airport.” He also emphasized that strong use of air service locally helps lead to more options for air travelers. “You can help bring us more new non-stop destinations. Try flyavl.com - it would be great for all of us.”

Community leaders and members of the Airport Authority Board joined Hillier on stage for a ribbon-cutting and unveiling of a plaque dedicating the new space, all 21,000 square feet, to the travelers of Western North Carolina.

Of course, it wasn’t all pomp and circumstance. Thanks to the incredible food provided by the Blue Ridge Tavern and Chef Anthony Cerrato of Fiore’s Ristorante Toscana in Asheville, consulting chef of the airport’s new restaurant, guests of the event enjoyed custom creations like prosciutto-wrapped figs stuffed with bleu cheese, chicken pot pie, tiramisu, and other delicious treats. Highland Gaelic Ale and French Broad Ale were supplied by Skyland Distributing and Empire Distributing, respectively, and Biltmore Wines provided the wine selection.

The celebration also came at an appropriate time, as Asheville Regional Airport saw a record number of passengers in 2010—up 27% compared to the previous year. 

Auction Information

When: March 2, 2011

Where: Asheville Regional Airport Maintenance Facility
15 Aviation Way
Fletcher, NC 28732

Time: Viewing is 9 a.m.–Noon
Bidding is Noon–3 p.m. 

THIS IS A SEALED BID AUCTION. PLEASE READ THE PROCEDURES BELOW. 

The Asheville Regional Airport Authority (“Authority”) will accept sealed bids for the authority’s surplus property listed with this attached notice on March 2, 2011. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. until noon at the Maintenance Facility located at 15 Aviation Way off Airport Road, Fletcher, NC. Sealed bids will take place from noon until 3 p.m. at same facility. Winners will be notified by phone. 

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids. The Authority also reserves the right to not be responsible for any property bid upon or received. Bidding is done entirely at your own risk. 

All items must be picked up no later than Friday, March 4, 2011 at noon. If you have not picked up your winning item(s), they will be disposed of. The Authority is not responsible for any property left on premises. Please be prepared to pay for items at time of pickup. 

For a complete listing of items, please click here. 

For additional information, contact Kellie Whittemore, IT Coordinator, 828.209.3740.

Stepping through the security checkpoint at Asheville Regional Airport now not only means you’re that much closer to boarding your flight, but you’re also about twenty five steps from an incredible new restaurant, bar, and gift shop that opened just today at AVL. We knew this was going to be one of the most exciting airport enhancements in recent years, but as passengers and airport employees milled about the Blue Ridge Trading + Tavern in the post-security atrium this morning, the excitement was almost as tangible as the chocolate croissants in the bakery case. Or the Asheville apparel on the sale table. Or the 80+ magazine varieties spread out on the newsstand racks. You get the idea. And while the lattes could give any coffee shop a run for their money, and the lightweight travel duffels on sale for six to fifteen bucks are irresistible (one person was seen buying three of them), it’s really the variety of choices that have us all abuzz. Three paragraphs and we haven’t even touched on the bar and restaurant! The menu for the Blue Ridge Tavern features the work of a local chef; you may know him—Anthony Cerrato of Fiore’s Ristorante Toscana in downtown Asheville. The food—everything from sandwiches and salads to burgers and fried green tomatoes—is already receiving rave reviews, and you can pair your meal with a locally brewed beer, including selections from Asheville Brewing Co., French Broad Brewing Co., Highland Brewing Co., and Green Man Ales. Domestic and imported beer, wine, and mixed drinks are also available at the bar (which, if you haven’t heard, has a great wide-angle-lens view of the runway). Just as important as what’s on your plate is the atmosphere in which you’ll be enjoying your menu picks. A picture is worth a thousand words (see the snapshot below), but suffice it to say the combination of soothing earth tones, natural rock pillars, and overall upscale feel just might make you forget you’re in an airport at all. Good thing those final boarding calls can be heard in the Blue Ridge Tavern.

We’re probably going to talk about this quite a bit throughout 2011 because we just can’t believe we’re celebrating 50 years. When the airport opened back in 1961, it was small but effective, and was a welcome addition to our community. In the years that followed, our airport got a few facelifts—upgrades, enhancements, expansions—and today it looks better than ever, if we do say so ourselves. But the best thing about turning 50 is the collection of memories compiled over the years. Famous visitors have graced us with their presence, from politicians to pop stars; hundreds of thousands of aircraft have come and gone, including the Concorde jet back in the 1980s, and Air Force One (and Two!) more than a few times; and, perhaps best of all, community support has grown as much as the airport has. It’s really an honor to have served the residents of Western North Carolina for five decades, and we want you to know we are positively thrilled to jump right in to the next five. We plan to celebrate this milestone all year long, and one of our favorite ways to celebrate is to give stuff away, so keep an eye on this blog, and our Facebook and Twitter accounts, so you don’t miss your chance to win AVL gear, free trips and more!

Fletcher, NC — “Our seats are in the upright and eco-friendly position,” reads a sign adjacent to the new gate hold area at Asheville Regional Airport. Last week, Asheville Regional Airport replaced its aging passenger seating with new chairs that are the first of their kind in American airports.

“Our passenger seating was in need of replacement, and in our bid process, we looked at a new product that had several positive attributes,” said Lew Bleiweis, airport director. The seating, manufactured by Zoeftig and sold under the brand “inFINITE Seating System,” is made with metal replacement technology, which uses much less energy than steel manufacturing. The environmentally-friendly manufacturing process was appealing to the airport, which is working to implement a more “green” environment over time. “In addition, the product is 100% recyclable, so when the time comes to replace this seating, we won’t be adding unnecessarily to landfills,” added Bleiweis.

But these chairs won’t need to be replaced any time soon. Another positive attribute of this new seating product is its longer life-span compared to other options. The seats are made of a material called “PU,” or urethane plastic, and are colored all the way through, which means the seats will not dull, scratch or fade, allowing for easier maintenance. Also, they won’t wear like traditional upholstery.

Additionally, unlike traditional airport chairs that are permanently connected to one another in various configurations which makes rearranging seating patterns difficult, the new seating system is completely modular. Seats can easily be reconfigured as new needs arise, which saves money and increases efficiency.

“We try to plan for the future in all decisions, and our choice of passenger seating is no different. Replacing 400 chairs is costly, and we feel very good about the decision to ‘go green,’ as well as to choose seating that will last,” said Bleiweis. “We’re the first airport in the United States to choose this product, and we feel we’re setting a good example in the industry.”

Jason Plaisted, Delta passenger visiting Western North Carolina from upstate New York, couldn’t agree more. “I noticed the chairs when I arrived at the airport – they’re different,” he said. And then he learned that the seating is an environmentally-responsible choice, and he was impressed. “I drive a Prius, and am a huge fan of anything ‘green.’ I didn’t know airports had such a thing as ‘green’ chairs, and I’m glad to see them. Whatever you can do to help save the environment is phenomenal.”

The new airport seating is one of the last installments associated with the renovation of the terminal, which opened to passengers in October 2010.

Celebrating its 50th year as an economic anchor organization in the region, Asheville Regional Airport is dedicated to advocating for needed routes and competitive fares for the air travelers in Western North Carolina. To compare fares, book a trip or to learn more, visit www.flyavl.com.