Three Airports in Three Days ...

… and three examples of airports that are experiencing significant growth.  At Dulles International Airport in Washington, the Dulles Jet Center held a grand opening last week of the third fixed based operation at IAD, joining Signature Flight Support and Landmark Aviation on the airfield. The opening of the new FBO is reflective of the D.C. business aviation market, which has seen significant growth and which has been altered by the almost nonexistent access at Reagan National. An interesting aspect of the Dulles FBO deal is that next door neighbor Signature will provide its refueling services. This bizav growth comes in the midst of massive construction at IAD that includes an underground rail system connecting the terminals.  At Richmond International Airport some 100 miles south of the nation’s capital, the city is putting a heavy emphasis on the role of the airport in its economic development efforts. This has included a focus on air service development. The airport has made progress regarding the latter, attracting Air Tran and JetBlue, and nearly snatching Southwest (a goal the airport has not given up on). Richmond is nearing completion of a totally transformed modern terminal/parking complex, as well as an integrated, in-line baggage screening system.  And, at Manassas Regional Airport west of Washington, another transformation is taking place. Prior to 9/11, Manassas Regional was a quiet general aviation facility. It is rapidly turning into a major business aviation reliever for the region, spurred by the exodus of aircraft from Reagan National.    At the very least, it seems that the business of aviation and airports is robust in the Washington, D.C. region. Thanks for reading.  jfi