63 AirportImprovement.com July | August 2026 TERMINALS ORF When working with all types of airports, Anderson encourages project teams to be open to adding elements that “make the experience for passengers and staff unique, efficient and less stressful.” Carraro notes that achieving the best end result requires time to explore ideas. “Trust the process of arriving at solutions, based on a lot of good information,” he advises. More Development, More Marketing With multiple capital projects taking place, the airport has implemented a more robust, strategic marketing effort to help tell its story. “In terms of the local buzz, the past few years have sparked significant increases in public interest related to what’s taking place at ORF,” reports Jones. “These are improvements the customers can see or anticipate, and that’s made all the difference.” And there are more improvements to come, as the airport has a bustling agenda of projects Perryman describes as “very synergistic.” For example, ORF began to unveil a revamped concessions program this year, with additional debuts continuing into 2027. And a new TSA checkpoint that will consolidate the two checkpoints now located in its outer lobby will begin to take shape next year. By 2029, a new ticketing lobby will combine currently divided check-in areas. Together, these changes are designed to ease flow throughout the Departures Terminal, from curbside drop-offs to post-security movement between concourses A and B. A consolidated rental car facility currently under construction is scheduled to open by 2028. Pulling rental cars out of the parking structure will open up space for more than 600 customer parking spots—spots that are desperately needed, Perryman emphasizes. In addition, ORF is consolidating its administrative offices into an underused area in the Arrivals Terminal to create room for the consolidated checkpoint. The existing checkpoints will then be converted into retail spaces, including a food court and possibly a shared airline lounge. Looking further ahead, plans are in the works for two hotels. The strategy is to offer different price points and build in different areas of the airport campus, with one hotel a short walk away from the Departures Terminal. “We’re very intentional with what we do,” Perryman advises. “We’re not going to build something for the sake of building it. We’re going to build it so it meets what our traveling public needs—what they want, within reason, and what delivers a good product that we can be proud of and stand behind.” Balance is a guiding principle for the unfolding TransformORF program, he adds. Key priorities are return on investment and maximizing revenue as well as creating a consistent passenger experience from the curb to the gate. There’s also balance in another sense. “It’s one thing to do things for just the public, the airlines or the Airport Authority,” says Perryman. “But we are intentional, by balancing all these needs, making sure that all those factors are being developed, enhanced and modernized without breaking the bank.” PHOTO: BACKUS AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY Passenger volume is up significantly since 2022, and the airport has added three new carriers.
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