The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division has been honored with three awards from the North Carolina Airport Association (NCAA). NCDOT Aviation Director Bobby Walston was presented with the 2021 Willard G. Plentl Aviation Professional of the Year Award in recognition of his service to North Carolina’s aviation sector that exemplifies Plentl’s ideals. Walston, who […]
North Carolina
Asheville Regional Airport Celebrates Inaugural Flight to MSP on Allegiant
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) celebrated the inaugural flight to Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) on Allegiant recently. MSP is Allegiant’s 16th nonstop flight option from AVL, and now operates twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays. “Allegiant has been an integral part of the airport and community since 2011, and has grown significantly during the past decade,” said […]
Dynamically Adjusting Parking Fees Gives Travelers Options at RDUÂ
By David Freedman You might be surprised to learn that Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), which is owned by four local governments, receives a total of $50,000 a year in local tax dollars, an amount that has not increased since 1957. RDU is largely self-sustaining, operating on revenue it earns from airline fees, food and beverage […]
N.C. Board of Transportation Approves Grant Funding for 13 Airports
During its September meeting, the N.C. Board of Transportation approved over $29.2 million in grant funding for safety and various improvements to 13 airports across the state. The following projects are included in the approved grants: $5.3 million for pavement rehabilitation on the runway, replacement of NAVAIDs and construction of turnarounds at the Hyde County […]
Virginia Flight Information Exchange to be Featured at NASAO Convention and Trade Show in Colorado Springs
A demonstration of the Virginia Flight Information Exchange (VA-FIX), which provides data from state and local governments for safe unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations, presented by ATA, LLC will be featured during the 90th Annual Convention and Trade Show of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, taking place Sept […]
North Carolina Division of Aviation Signs on With Virginia FIX
The Virginia Department of Aviation has signed the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation as the first state to collaborate, coordinate and disseminate information as a user of the Virginia Flight Information Exchange. NCDOT-Division of Aviation’s plan is to create and develop a FIX system for its state. “VA-FIX demonstrates great innovation and […]
First Vaccine Drone Delivery Program Demonstrated in Winston-Salem
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and its healthtech business enterprise operated through the Innovation Quarter, iQ Healthtech Labs, are taking COVID-19 vaccination efforts to new heights with drone deliveries – the first COVID-19 vaccine drone delivery program in the country. This new initiative – operated by UPS and its subsidiary, UPS Flight Forward– expands Atrium […]
Asheville Regional to Bring Back Runway 5K
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Asheville Regional Airport is bringing back the popular Runway 5K on Saturday, October 9 at 2pm. The community is invited to sign up for this fun event that will be held on the airfield. Registration is now open. “AVL has been a huge part of the fabric of Western North […]
North Carolina Airports Association Holds 41st Annual Conference at Pinehurst
Photo above – Michael Reisman, Moderator (left) engages panelists, from left, Annie Russo, Bridget Cox and Michael Landguth. Photos by Kim Stevens. The North Carolina Airports Association held its annual conference last week in Pinehurst, NC, attracting some 400 attendees and 40 exhibitors from throughout the state and region. Although some chose to participate through […]
Asheville Regional Airport Welcomes Back Artists and Musicians at AVL
For the first time in more than a year, local artists and instrumental musicians are welcomed back to the airport, as part of the Art in the Airport program. Passage, the exhibit on display in the art gallery now through November 2021, features six local artists of multiple disciplines. The show brings a feeling of […]



