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Richmond International Airport soars with top honors
August 13, 2024
Richmond International Airport (RIC) continues to garner accolades for its ease of navigation, strategic infrastructure and more. RIC rightfully earns recognition as it continually works to enhance the passenger flight experience through streamlined operations and an easy-to-navigate layout. RIC also offers companies use of its Foreign Trade Zone #207 for added convenience and operational success.
In just a 10-minute drive from downtown Richmond, travelers are met with 34 direct air route options and many more with connecting flights. RIC provides unmatched convenience, making it a top choice for not only travelers but also for businesses.
Ranked #1 Most Efficient North American Airport
The Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) named RIC the most efficient airport in North America among airports with less than 5 million passengers per year. The accolade proves RIC’s ability to provide excellent service and smooth operations. Performance indicators such as productivity, operating efficiency, airport charge comparisons and more determine how the award is granted.
Ranked #1 for Employee Investment
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), a trade association representing commercial service airports in the U.S. and Canada, announced Richmond International Airport won the 2024 Change Management Program award in the annual Human Resources Excellence Recognition Program Awards.
An ACI-NA survey reveals 89 percent of Capital Region Airport Commission team members love their job compared to the national average of 57 percent. As a result, RIC is a certified ‘Great Place to Work,’ a testament to its positive workplace culture and employee satisfaction. RIC employees are not the only ones who benefit from a positive work environment. Thanks to RIC serving its employees well, its employees will treat travelers well, ensuring stress-free flights.
According to ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin Burke, “Richmond International Airport instituted industry-leading programs that invest in the people who run our airports. Its programs are vital to creating the next generation of aviation leaders, and I applaud them for their extraordinary work.”
Ranked #1 for Ease of Catching Connecting Flights
Travelers seeking a stress-free flying experience should look no further than RIC. According to a study by FinanceBuzz.com, RIC ranks number one in the nation for ease of making connecting flights. The study measures how long it takes to navigate airports and found it takes just two minutes to walk end-to-end of an average-sized terminal in RIC, making it among the shortest walks in the country.
Growth at RIC
RIC increased direct service options by 36 percent compared to last year. Most recently, RIC added new non-stop, twice-daily air routes through Southwest Airlines to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and non-stop daily flights to Nashville International Airport (BNA).
Moody’s Investors Service recognized RIC’s growth and upgraded the Capital Region Airport Commission from rating A2 to A1 based on general airport revenue bonds. The upgraded rating reflects RIC’s strong financial performance, shifting its outlook from stable to positive growth.
RIC set a record in Fiscal Year 2023 with more than 4.4 million passengers passing through its terminals and more than 190 pounds of cargo. Notably, May 2023 marks the first month in the airport’s 96-year history it surpassed the 400,000-passenger threshold.
RIC’s Perry Miller earns 2023 Tourism Impact Award
Richmond Region Tourism awarded the 2023 Tourism Impact Award to Perry Miller, Capital Region Airport Commission and President and Chief Executive Officer of RIC, for his commitment to community engagement. RIC is a major asset for tourism in Greater Richmond and Miller’s work continues to garner national spotlights.
Modeling aviation excellence
Richmond International Airport continues to soar to new heights thanks to continued national recognition. It’s clear from these accolades RIC is more than just a regional hub, but rather a vital gateway for global travelers and company operations.
Learn more about transportation in Greater Richmond here.
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