CMAA Board of Commissioners

CHA-Terminal.jpg

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority Board of Commissioners

A Message from the President



The Chattanooga Airport offers unparalleled convenience and hassle-free service for business and leisure travelers in the southeastern region. In May 2024, we experienced a significant boost in air service, leading to one of the highest monthly passenger traffic records in our history. For only the third time ever, boardings exceeded 50,000. We cannot thank our passengers enough for relying on us for their travel needs and helping us reach these goals.

Recently, we unveiled a $28 million terminal renovation and expansion, adding 26,000 square feet to the terminal and renovating 36,000 square feet of the existing concourse. This project, part of our master plan, complements the $25 million four-level parking garage completed in 2021, which features 1,300 spaces, a covered rental car area and a covered walkway to baggage claim.

The terminal expansion includes three new passenger gates, expanded security lanes, increased restrooms, new concessions and a new business center with 10 Gig WiFi provided by EPB. The improvements enhance the passenger experience by speeding up security and supporting additional flights and routes. New concessions include 2,570 square feet of post-security restaurant space with seating for 80 people. This project, the largest expansion since the terminal opened in 1991, began in June 2022 and was completed with a grand opening on March 2, 2024.

For added convenience, the Chattanooga Airport provides passengers with the option to participate in TSA Precheck. Together, new amenities provide an added layer of ease and accessibility for our hundreds of thousands of travelers each year.

We appreciate our airline partners’ commitment to providing access to our nonstop destinations as well as the pursuit of new routes. Airlines have continued nonstop service to Washington, D.C., Miami, and Detroit while adding daily flights to Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, and others. In May 2024, Allegiant added nonstop services to Las Vegas. In August, Delta announced that it will be resuming nonstop services to LaGuardia Airport, a crucial connection that was suspended during COVID-19. This restoration marks a significant milestone in our recovery, underscoring the resilience and dedication of our airline partners. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Delta and our loyal passengers for making this possible, and for continually supporting new travel opportunities for our residents and visitors.

Our Fixed Based Operator (FBO), Wilson Air Center continues to be committed to delivering award-winning services and equipment to our region. Whether it's aircraft maintenance, refueling services or logistical support, both passengers and pilots can expect unparalleled care and courtesy from the dedicated team at Wilson Air.

Our airfield is also home to West Star Aviation, a partner who opened its newest air maintenance hangar at the Chattanooga Airport in July 2023. The 44,000-square-foot hangar is their fifth facility at Lovell Field, bringing their total to 300,000 square feet of space dedicated to service and maintenance of private and corporate aircraft.

In 2019, CHA became the first airport in the United States to produce enough solar energy to completely offset daily power needs through our onsite solar farm. This milestone is a testament to our ongoing sustainability efforts at the airport and in our region. In 2021, the Chattanooga Airport was named a winner of Newsweek’s Future of Travel Awards for our environmental stewardship. We are proud to be a model for other airports, our city, state and country as we collectively pursue greener alternatives.

As we continue to navigate through dynamic times in the aviation industry, we remain steadfast in our dedication to expanding and diversifying our airline services. By broadening our offerings, we aim to not only strengthen our position as a regional hub but also enrich the overall airport experience.

I would like to thank all our travelers, carriers and partners for helping us climb to new heights with each passing year. The Chattanooga Airport is very appreciative of your support.

Sincerely,

April Cameron
President & CEO

 

CMAA Board of Commissioners