Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport

CHO has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).  The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

Jeff Brill, Director of Finance & Administration for CHO, is the individual primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR.  Jeff manages the Authority’s accounting operation with meticulous attention to detail, challenging each employee to maintain the utmost integrity with respect to airport operations.  He is one of 31 Airport Authority employees, the best group of co-workers one could hope for. 

CHO is one of less than 20 of the 350 commercial service airports across the United States that prepares and submits a CAFR in lieu of a standard audit. 

CHO is owned and operated by the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority; an independent political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia. CHO is maintained and operated exclusively through airport fees and charges.

Charlotte North Carolina’s International Airport (CLT) is fast becoming a fan favorite for passengers in Central Virginia. US Airways will be adding a 7th daily flight (and 5th regional jet) during the summer from CHO to CLT and for good reason. With 632 daily departures and non-stop service to 132 destinations, Charlotte Douglas International served over 34 million passengers in 2009. The amazing part of the story for me is the relative calm I experience each time I travel through CLT. It starts when you first arrive and realize how easy it is to get from one side of the airport to the other. I can easily traverse the 5 concourses with ease in about 10-15 minutes, even if I choose to not use the people moving treadmills located throughout the terminal. It’s not just the airports design that is so nice, it’s the people. Everyone seems to be proud to work there and their southern hospitality shines through. With the perfect mix of stores, restaurants (including Carolina BBQ) and rocking chairs, CLT is perfectly balanced to serve as a gateway for CHO. It’s about an hour in the air from Charlottesville to Charlotte and the flight times are matched well. I usually have about 40 minutes or so to wait before I am off again and on to my final destination.

Do you have a favorite connection from CHO? Have you ever tried one of the rocking chairs that lines CLT’s main concourse area? 

Photo Courtesy of Forbes.com

There are so many interesting and unexplored destinations only a couple hours away from Charlottesville when travelling by air. One of my favorite last minute travel destinations will make you feel as if you landed in a different country. Actually you will.

Montreal, gem of the St. Lawrence, the Paris of North America, took me about an hour and fifty minutes by air from CHO with a quick one stop at the Philadelphia International Airport. Founded by the french, which is still the official language, Montreal is among the oldest cities on the continent, and its summers are filled with invigorating street fairs and vibrant festivals celebrating a rich history and mix of so many cultures. I have to admit that sitting at one of the cafe's along the streets of Old Montreal immediately brought me back to the days I spent in Marseille, France years ago. For the adventurer, the "underground city" network of shops, hotels and restaurants was one of the most unusual and exciting aspects of my visit to this Canadian city and worth a day of exploring by itself.

A quick adventure can be exciting and surprisingly cheap through CHO and I think this is one of those secret destinations in the world. It also does not come with high prices and lengthy flights. A passport is required and although English can get you through, I did learn that a little French wouldn't hurt. Très bien!

Have you used CHO for a weekend adventure? What destinations have you flown to that took just a couple hours?

photo courtesy of: www.gocanada.com

Yesterday, a small plane carrying two people crashed near the Roanoke airport in western Virginia. The passenger and pilot were John Whitmer, manager of CHO's fixed base operator Landmark Aviation, and Peter Sheeran, of Aviation Development Group. Yesterday evening, Peter died as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident."

As with any plane crash, a full investigation will be conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board. The safety of all passengers, including our friends and colleagues in the Virginia aviation community, is our highest priority. We are deeply saddened by any harm to our community, our passengers, our tenants or our employees. We are heartened to hear of John's pending hospital release.  However, our hearts and prayers are with Peter and his family.  Peter was a great friend and supporter of Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, a seasoned and skilled pilot,  a diligent and caring developer, but most of all a wonderful man to know.  He will be sorely missed.

Two new one-stop international routes were recently announced that are available from Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO).  United Airlines will begin its first-ever service to Africa from Washington Dulles (IAD) to Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in June.  This daily flight will be to Ghana's capital city of Accra on the western coast of Africa.

Delta Airlines will offer twice-weekly service from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Exuma International Airport (GGT) in the city of George Town on The Great Exuma island of the Bahamas, also commencing in June.  Flights will be on Wednesdays and Sundays, providing access to the many resort areas of the Exuma District, a collection of over 300 islands. 

These two destinations join a growing list of one-stop international destinations available from CHO, offering greater convenience and more options for the Central Virginia region.

Have you traveled to either of these international airports?  How do they compare in size to CHO?