Norfolk airport undergoes $1B modernization

As passenger numbers at Norfolk International Airport grow past pre-pandemic levels, the airport is undergoing a $1 billion upgrade to expand service, attract new airlines and modernize the travel experience.

The first major project in the effort was completed in February, when the airport opened its new $25 million international arrivals facility to process arriving international passengers. Construction on the 26,000-square-foot U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility began in June 2024.

While the airport previously had a facility to process international flights, Norfolk Airport Authority CEO Mark Perryman described it as small and “antiquated,” not functioning well or meeting modern standards. The new CBP facility is designed to move up to 200 passengers in an hour.

The airport in January launched its first nonstop international route, with Breeze Airways operating a once-a-week service between Norfolk and Cancún, Mexico. The Cancún service marks Norfolk’s first regularly scheduled international flight since 2001.

But Perryman believes the opening of the new CBP facility will help attract more international flights and says the airport is currently in discussions with several international carriers.

To support growing demand, the airport is expanding Concourse A with a roughly 19,000-square-foot addition that will add three gates, along with restrooms and a pet relief area. In February, airport officials anticipated its completion in March.

This summer, the airport expects to begin construction on a rental car facility south of the departures terminal to consolidate all rental car companies into one location. The car rental facility is expected to open in 2027.

Smaller components of the $1 billion airport upgrade that have already been completed include an 80-space park-and-wait lot and moving walkways connecting the airport terminals.

Anthony Rondeau, the airport’s chief development officer, says the airport is still evaluating next steps for its plans to build a 165-room hotel. Last year, the airport authority canceled the contract with the development team due to an alleged contract violation.

Perryman said last year the cancellation would delay the hotel’s expected opening by about two years, until 2028. But Rondeau says it’s hard to tell when the opening will be until the airport finalizes plans.

The airport last year had 4.89 million passengers, up from 4.86 million in 2024 and a 23% increase from its pre-pandemic peak in 2019. ■