Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport

ROA originated on July 1st, 1929, when the city of Roanoke signed a lease on the land that would become Roanoke Municipal Airport. The original location, which was 6 miles north of Roanoke City limits, had a single 83- by-100-foot hangar and a pair of dirt runways. Service at ROA began in 1933 via Ludington Airlines, which made the airport a stop on their New York to Nashville route. American Airlines began service the following year but withdrew in 1937 due to poor conditions at ROA. As such, it was determined that a new facility was needed. The city of Roanoke took control of the facility (which was originally privately owned) through the purchase of the original hangar. It used Works Progress Administration funds to pave the runways. The airport was named Woodrum Field in honor of congressional representative Clifton A Woodrum. Upon reopening, American Airlines returned to ROA. In 1943, the first air traffic control tower at ROA was completed. In 1948, Piedmont Airlines began service to Roanoke. They became the most significant airline to serve the airport, including a hub established at ROA in the 1970s (in 1982, Piedmont accounted for 89% of the traffic at ROA). Whereas ROA had three runways in 1950, in 1962 Runway 5 was extended to 5427 feet, and then in 1965, Runway 15 was extended to 5800 feet. In 1967, the first jets arrived at ROA as Piedmont 727s. Runway 9 was closed in 1970. In the early 1980s, the runway expansion program began to allow ROA to service larger Jets. To complement the upgrades, the airport changed its name to Roanoke Regional Airport in 1983. Furthermore, the expansion program was completed in 1985, with 900 feet added to the east end of Runway 6/24.
Moreover, a tunnel was completed beneath the runway on Virginia State Route 118. A $43.8 million Master Plan was developed in 1984-5, which included a new terminal building and more. On July 1st, 1987, the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission was established, ending the city of Roanoke’s role as the sole operator of the airport. In October 1989, the new Y-shaped terminal building opened (replacing the terminal building from 1953). Some highlights of the new terminal included a front courtyard at the main entrance and blue-tinted, reflecting glass with exposed white tube steel trusses.
Furthermore, the terminal building was designed to allow for future expansion. In 1989, the last Piedmont flight took place at ROA following their merger with USAir. Over time, ROA has been served by several regional airlines, including Allegheny Airlines, Aeromech Airlines, American Eagle, Continental Express, Northwest Airlink, and Delta. On December 5th, 2004, a new 197-foot FAA air traffic control tower went into operation. In May 2006, Allegiant Air began service to Orlando and Tampa.

The airport is located three miles northwest of Roanoke. 

• Aurora, an abstract steel sculpture by New York-based artist Albert Paley is found outside the terminal building, having been installed in October 1990. 
• The size and layout of ROA's runways have it rated amongst the top ten airports within a usable distance of Andrews Air Force Base for training pilots in the 89th Operations Group, which is responsible for piloting Air Force One. 
• The FBO at ROA is Signature Flight Support, whereas specialty FBO services are available through Kane Aviation, Executive Air, and Roanoke Aero Services. 
• Star Flight Training is the flight school at ROA.