1. Can the Airport accommodate "large aircraft?"
2. How long are the runways at Norfolk International Airport?
3. Are there plans to extend existing runways or build new ones?
4. Can the present primary runway be extended?
5. Why aren't vehicles allowed to park at curbside adjacent to the Passenger Terminal "for a few minutes" to allow drivers to take bags into ticket counter or to retrieve bags in baggage claim?
6. How is the Airport funded?
7. Who is responsible for the operation of the Airport?
8. Does the Airport ever close?
9. Are Airport police "real" police?
10. Does the Airport offer any special assistance, such as escorts?
11. How many planes are in and out of the airport every day?
12. Will the metal detectors ruin my camera film?
13. Is there any place to go and watch the planes land?
14. How often do the firetrucks practice safety scenarios?
15. How much do you tip the curbside skycaps?
16. When do the air cargo flights take place?

Answers
Can the Airport accommodate "large aircraft?"
Yes. Normally, the critical aircraft operation is take-off and the runway length required is based on: 1) weight of aircraft, 2) temperature, and 3) elevation. With the runway length and elevation being givens, the remaining factors, weight of aircraft and temperature, will be used to determine the distance the aircraft can fly non-stop. Each airline (aircraft operator) has different criteria regarding aircraft operations under conditions present at the time of flight. The type of aircraft currently serving the Airport include Boeing 737, Boeing 757, Douglas DC-9, McDonnell Douglas MD-80 as well as a variety of regional jets. Larger aircraft, such as Boeing 747s and Lockheed L-1011s, may be accommodated should the above-mentioned criteria be met.

How long are the runways at Norfolk International Airport?
The primary runway (5-23) is 9,000 feet long for take-offs in both directions, 9,000 feet for landings to southwest, and 8,000 feet for landings northeast. The crosswind runway (14-32) is 4,876 feet long.

Are there plans to extend existing runways or build new ones?
The Airport Master Plan includes a new parallel runway (5R-23L) which would be 7000 feet long and approximately 850 feet east of the present primary runway. The Master Plan also reflects an 824-foot extension to the crosswind runway bringing that runway to 5,700 feet. These runway projects will be developed based on operational demand and availability of funding.

Can the present primary runway be extended?
It is not economically justified due to limitations of Interstate 64 at one end and Lake Whitehurst at the other.

Why aren't vehicles allowed to park at curbside adjacent to the Passenger Terminal "for a few minutes" to allow drivers to take bags into ticket counter or to retrieve bags in baggage claim?
Current federal security regulations mandate that airport operators not allow a vehicle to be left unattended within a certain distance of the Passenger Terminal which specifically includes the immediate curbside adjacent to the Terminal. It is recommended that passengers use curbside check-in (except for international travel), allowing them to remain with their vehicle while checking in.

How is the Airport funded?
The Airport is fully self-sustaining financially through various user fees. The local communities provide no financial assistance for the operation, maintenance and development of the Airport.

Who is responsible for the operation of the Airport?
The Norfolk Airport Authority is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia and is an independent autonomous agency of the City of Norfolk. The Authority is governed by a Board of Commissioners consisting of nine members appointed by Norfolk City Council for four-year terms. The employees of the Authority are not city employees.

Does the Airport ever close?
The airport is staffed and occupied by the Norfolk Airport Authority 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. Even in the event of inclement weather conditions, a combination of administrative, police, fire, parking, janitorial, building maintenance, and field maintenance personnel are always on the job. Airlines and other tenants each have their own schedules but typically, are not present 24 hours daily. Very infrequently, the runways are closed for maintenance or snow clearing; however, every effort is made to avoid disrupting airport activity. Decisions to take-off or land in questionable weather are largely the decisions of the individual airlines and though one may hear that "the airport is closed," it may or may not be true. For flight information during inclement weather, or any other time, it is recommended that travelers call the airline's reservation/information number.

Are Airport police "real" police?
The Norfolk Airport Authority Police Department consists of fully empowered law enforcement officers that undergo the same training as their municipal counterparts and act in cooperation with other local, state and federal agencies that may be called into action under certain circumstances. The Authority also contracts with private security companies to maintain uniformed security in the parking facilities. The uniformed security personnel located at the concourse baggage screening areas are either employed by, or under contract with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Does the Airport offer any special assistance, such as escorts?
Airport Authority police will escort passengers to their vehicles when requested. In addition, the Authority offers complimentary battery-jump and lockout assistance as service to its users.

How many planes are in and out of the airport every day?
Currently, an average of over 340 operations (landings and takeoffs) take place each day. This includes scheduled passenger and cargo airlines, general aviation, air taxi, and charter flights. In addition, Norfolk International often handles military flights when local base runways undergo repairs.

Will the metal detectors ruin my camera film?
The concourse screening stations utilize multiple technologies for detection of illegal objects. The "arch" you walk under is a magnetometer that detects metal. The belt where you put your carry-on items utilizes x-rays, the strength of which is less than emitted from a color television set. Photographic film less than 1000 ASA is safe going through this procedure. It is recommended that film faster than 1000 ASA be hand inspected. Laptop computers are also safe utilizing the belt inspection and files will not be erased. As an alternative though, you may request a hand inspection of either your camera or laptop computer.

Is there any place to go and watch the planes land?
There is a public observation area located at the bend on Robin Hood road adjacent to the Air Cargo Terminal.

How often do the fire trucks practice safety scenarios?
The Norfolk Airport Authority maintains its own 20 person fire department which is specially trained in aircraft rescue and fire fighting. Drills are conducted on a continual basis. Actual "disaster" scenarios are undertaken in various degrees at least once a year and are coordinated with a region-wide 40 agency Airport committee for Emergency Preparedness (ACEP). The Authority's manpower readiness and fire fighting equipment far surpass what is mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

How much do you tip the curbside skycaps?
A standard tip for the skycap is $1.00 per bag; more if your luggage is very heavy or if you utilize extra services such as escort or wheelchair assistance.

When do the air cargo flights take place?
The nature of freight and express mail determines when it is shipped. Cargo aircraft sit on the ground during the day waiting for the local shipments to accumulate during business hours. During the night it is then sorted, loaded, and flown to the major sorting hubs such as Memphis, Louisville, or Dayton to be sorted and loaded onto other aircraft which will then deliver it to its final destination early in the business day.