Richmond International Airport - Overview

Overview

Eight air carriers currently serve Richmond International Airport with non-stop flights to 21 destinations and connecting flights to destinations worldwide. A record 3.63 million passengers used Richmond International Airport in 2007 with growth expected to continue. In January 2012, Southwest has said they will soon start flights to Richmond.

To help accommodate the current and proposed increase in passengers and air service, Richmond International Airport has embarked on a major expansion program. The program has increased the total number of gates, increased parking spaces to 8,000, and created a new terminal roadway and air traffic control tower. It features major renovations of the terminal building including upper level departures and lower level arrivals, the construction of a central utility plant and the widening of the security check points. Construction on the renovated two-level terminal was completed in spring 2007 and was designed by Gresham, Smith & Partners.

Richmond International Airport also experienced a dramatic increase in cargo activities over the past 10 years. In 2004, Richmond International Airport handled over 114 million pounds of cargo. Cargo services offered at Richmond International Airport include over 100,000 square feet (10,000 m2) of warehouse/office space and 1,000,000 square feet (100,000 m2) of apron space. The entire airport is designated a Foreign Trade Zone. Because of its central location on the Eastern Seaboard, cargo transit via RIC is on the rise. Goods shipped out of the metropolitan Richmond area can reach 50% of the U.S. population within 24 hours.