Richmond Int'l Airport Custom's Facility Update
- Nicholas Failla
- Sep 30, 2024
- 2 min read
Back in 2022 as part of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, the Richmond International Airport received $665,000 to renovate its custom screening facility (also known as federal inspection services). This funding would allow the airport to accept international service to the airport again. The airport last had international flights to Cancun and Freeport (operated by Vacation Express) back in 2014 and also had flights with Air Canada to Toronto in 2013.
The facility's renovation is needed to be in "compliance with federal FIS standards and ADA requirements". The project was estimated to be completed in mid-2023, but word on project completion was absent during that time, and for the rest of 2023. In 2024, rumors spread that the facility was supposed to open in April of 2024, but no news emerged of this rumor being true.
Marketing & Air Service Development Director, Troy Bell confirmed the status of the FIS facility, stating:
The FIS became operational on September 1, 2024. We are constantly in talks with domestic and international air carriers about expanding route opportunities at the Airport.
This means as of writing this article the renovated FIS facility has been open and operating for about one month; however, there is no international air service operating out of the new facility. The quote does state that the airport is in talks with domestic and international air carriers on new routes at Richmond.
Possible new international destinations I would predict would likely be bringing back previously served international routes from Richmond, such as Toronto with Air Canada, or a Caribbean route with any U.S. airline to places such as Cancun or the Bahamas, as these were previously served routes. Flights to Europe or beyond are probably years away and not likely to happen anytime soon.
It is a little unnerving that the FIS facility re-opened without a "debut" airline route to complement the new facility, however, I suppose time will tell when a new international route will be added. Breeze is planning on receiving full FAA approval for international flights by the end of this year, which means they could start scheduling international flights for mid to late 2025. However, I would assume that they would start international routes at their bases first, such as Norfolk, Providence, or Tampa, then move on to their bigger, non-base airports such as Richmond.
All in all, it's amazing to see the new facility open (albeit behind schedule) and hopefully an airline will take advantage of this new facility.
Do you think RIC will receive scheduled international flights in 2025?
Yes
No
Great article, and good information. I fear that if Norfolk gets first dibs on international service, Richmond will basically be screwed. How realistic is it that Breeze would set up international ops at ORF first and then also come to RIC? If Norfolk gets international service first, I honestly do think RIC is going to CONSTANTLY be playing catch-up -- and once again, we'll be "second fiddle" when frankly we should be the leaders.