Lynchburg Regional Airport Awarded $8 Million for Terminal Expansion

Federal funding will expand the passenger terminal, improve TSA flow and accessibility, and prepare LYH for increased air service and future passenger growth.

Lynchburg Regional Airport Awarded $8 Million for Terminal Expansion

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Lynchburg Regional Airport will receive an $8 million federal grant to expand its passenger terminal, a project designed to improve passenger flow and accessibility while preparing the airport for future growth.

The funding comes through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program for fiscal year 2026. U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced the award Aug. 14 as part of nearly $19 million in federal funding for airport infrastructure projects across Virginia.

“This $8 million investment is significant not only for Lynchburg Regional Airport, but for the entire region,” Airport Director Cedric Simon said. “Expanding the terminal will allow us to better serve today’s passengers while making a strategic investment in the airport’s ability to support future demand.”

Expansion Targets Passenger Bottleneck

A key part of the project will address one of the terminal’s primary passenger circulation constraints by creating a wider, automated TSA exit lane.

The airport’s existing exit is narrow and uses an aging automated access system that requires frequent maintenance. When the system is unavailable, arriving passengers must be routed through the departure entrance, creating opposing passenger traffic inside the terminal.

The expanded configuration is expected to provide a more efficient and secure exit from the terminal’s sterile area while making it easier for families to move through the space together. Airport officials said it will also improve circulation for older adults and passengers with disabilities.

Plans also call for a new ADA-compliant elevator serving arriving and departing passengers as well as airport employees.

The terminal will expand from approximately 38,000 square feet to about 39,600 square feet, an increase of roughly 1,600 square feet.

Energy-efficiency improvements are also included in the project, including LED lighting, an energy-efficient elevator and exit lane, additional energy-efficient windows and updated mechanical systems.

Airport Preparing for Passenger Growth

The improvements are intended to position Lynchburg Regional Airport for anticipated passenger growth, including additional travel associated with expanded air service and potential new destinations.

The airport’s approved forecast projects approximately 79,900 passenger enplanements in 2028.

The federal award comes three months after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited Lynchburg Regional Airport in May. During the visit, Duffy participated in a Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance roundtable with regional business and community leaders and referenced forthcoming federal investment at the airport.

The City of Lynchburg will work with the FAA and project partners on the required design, review and construction phases. A construction schedule has not yet been announced, and additional information about the timeline and any potential effects on airport operations is expected as planning progresses.