2025 ROA Achievements
The year 2025 was a banner year for ROA, attributable to continued passenger demand, the region choosing to fly ROA, and the hard work of airport team members and partners.
Record Number of Passengers
Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport set a new passenger record in 2025, serving nearly 827,000 passengers.
Growing economic output
According to a recent Virginia Department of Aviation study on the economic impact of the Commonwealth's public use airports, ROA's Total Output is $613 million, up over 20% from the previous 2018 study.
NEW DESTINATIONS AND MORE WAYS TO FLY ROA IN 2025
Dallas Fort Worth
The product of long-term regional collaboration, year-round daily service to Dallas Fort Worth on American Airlines will begin June 2026.
Chicago O'Hare
More ways to get to Chicago! American launched nonstop service to Chicago O'Hare in August 2025.
Sarasota Bradenton
It's easier than ever to get to Florida from ROA! Allegiant launched nonstop service to Sarasota Bradenton in February 2025.
As more passengers continue to fly local, the airlines continue to respond to the demand, adding capacity to Atlanta (Delta), Chicago O'Hare (United), Philadelphia (American), and Washington, D.C. (Dulles - United).
PASSENGER-FIRST EXPERIENCE
Parking Lot Upgrades Completed
Improvements to ROA's parking lots were completed in 2025 and included repaving and re-striping, larger parking spaces, larger drive lanes, new curbs, and new LED lighting.
NEW WEBSITE AND BRAND
Easy-to-navigate resources for passengers and the business community, a modern and responsive design, and a flight reservation tool are among the website's new features. ROA's new brand is modern and reflects the growth and momentum of the airport and region.
MORE INCLUSIVE TRAVEL OUT OF ROA
To enhance support for travelers with non-visible disabilities, ROA partnered with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, an internationally recognized program that enables individuals with non-visible disabilities to voluntarily indicate that they may need extra support or more time while navigating the airport environment.
Operational Excellence
- The engineered arresting material system (EMAS) at the end of Runway 16-34 saved lives during an aircraft overrun event in September 2025
- Roanoke Regional Airport Commission Access and ID rolled out new digital training and onboarding processes for new and renewing employees and members of the general aviation community, enhancing efficiency
- The Airport successfully transitioned from AFFF foam to the new F3 foam in all aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles
- Roanoke Regional Airport Commission IT completed its Microsoft 365 integration
- Roanoke Regional Airport Commission enhanced its maintenance fleet with a state-of-the art de-icing truck and new van
Community Engagement
- ROA hosted the 2025 Southwest Virginia Plane Pull, raising $73,000 for Special Olympics Virginia
- The ROA Ambassador volunteer program served approximately 2,000 hours in 2025, answering traveler questions and providing a warm welcome to Virginia's Blue Ridge to passengers from around the world
- ROA's Pet Therapy Program grew to 3 teams
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR ROA
Check out ROA's Fly for the Future Digital Toolkit and access plug-and-play resources that organizations and supporters can use to publicly show support for ROA to help build momentum for more flights and stronger economic connections.