Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport, located in Blacksburg, historically was first a landing site in a farmer’s pasture in 1913, with VPI Airport construction in 1929.
Construction for a building to provide additional space needed for the Christiansburg Aquatic Center has prompted a 30-year lease proposal for town property adjacent to the swim facility.
First electric plane lands on runway in February
Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
CHRISTIANSBURG – Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport (VTMEA) is providing economic opportunity, private and professional travel, sports teams’ transportation, international travelers, and new technology while also experiencing increased fuel sales with the new runway extension.
During the introductions and presentations of the Christiansburg Town Council meeting held Mar. 12, Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport Director Keith Holt gave a presentation on airport operations and economic growth provided to the New River and Roanoke Valleys.
“The Airport Authority, we were established in 2001 by the General Assembly as a regional government entity to run and operate the airport, so we are comprised of the Town of Christiansburg, the Town of Blacksburg, Montgomery County, and Virginia Tech,” Holt said.
In 2020, Holt said, the airport runway extension project was completed, taking the runway to 5,500 feet; a 1,000-foot extension. The project was 98% supported by federal and state grant funding as well.
“So, the addition of that additional 1,000 feet allowed the aircraft, which, many of which were already visiting our airport anyhow to be able to take on more fuel with us,” Holt said. “Our fuel sales went from about 116,000 gallons per year to 220,000 gallons per year, so almost doubled our fuel sales.”
Holt also pointed out that the Virginia Tech-Montgomery Executive Airport can support Fortune 500 business flight transportation but also sees a lot of local economic support travel that occurs due to the utilization of the airfield, including the Chicken Salad Chick franchise in Christiansburg.
A 2019 report showed an economic impact of $10.5 million in economic activity, Holt said, and he is looking forward to seeing increases in the new report. VTMEA becoming self-funded is a goal in the future and Holt said the airport is seeing progress in reaching that goal.
The first electric airplane also recently landed in February at the VTMEA. The airport has an electric airplane charging station, making this new emerging technology available to pilots.
According to the VTMEA’s website at www.vtmea.com, recent sealed bids are being accepted for the Apron Expansion Construction project, through April 16, 2024, at the office of the Airport Manager, 1601 Research Center Dr., Blacksburg.
“Improvements include demolition and removal, excavation and embankment construction, constructing new airfield pavement, new electrical items, erosion and sediment control, stormwater piping, and other ancillary work associated with the improvements,” according to the advertisement for bids.