Due to the significant decrease in passenger traffic, the airlines serving the Roanoke-Blacksburg
Regional Airport (ROA) have dramatically reduced the current air service. The airport’s legacy carriers, American, Delta and United, are often cancelling flights the day before or day of departure. Allegiant has cancelled all service at ROA from March 26-March 30, 2020.
Persons who must travel should contact their carrier directly before heading to the airport.
The Roanoke Regional Airport Commission has been vigilant and proactive in its approach to maintain a healthy environment for all travelers, stakeholders and staff. The primary goal is to prevent transmission of the coronavirus through disinfection of facilities, raising awareness of public health measures and reducing person-to-person transmission.
The procedures implemented at ROA for COVID-19 prevention include
1) Hand sanitizers strategically placed and additional units ordered for deployment throughout the terminal complex at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA).
2) ROA custodial staff have increased their disinfection efforts in the following high traffic areas: door handles, escalator handrails, elevator controls, counter tops, paper towel / toilet paper dispensers, tables, chairs, vinyl seating, parking equipment, and ticket counter podiums.
3) ROA has confirmed through discussion with airline personnel that public facing equipment (including self-check-in kiosks) are disinfected throughout the day.
4) ROA has received guidance from the Transportation Security Administration that passengers should wash/sanitize their hands before and after the checkpoint. Additionally, wallets, phone, and keys kept in carry-on baggage and not placed in a bin should be sanitized.
5) Signage outlining Centers for Disease Control and Prevention best practices are located in all restrooms and heavy public traffic areas.
6) ROA distributed an internal email to all airport stakeholders outlining best practices for cleaning public areas as determined by the World Health Organization and the CDC.
With schools and public events being cancelled, colleges and universities warning students about spring break travel, and general public concern, the airport commission anticipate air travel to be significantly affected throughout the next several months.
At this time, the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission and Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) will remain operational.
