Manassas airport director presents updated master plan; FAA forecast, runway and terminal projects highlighted

Warren, the airport director, briefed the council on the airport master‑plan update — a comprehensive capital‑planning document that reflects the city’s recent commercial‑service agreement and an updated aviation forecast.

Staff said the master plan updates existing conditions, aviation demand forecasts (FAA‑reviewed), facility requirements and a phased airport layout plan (ALP). The update reflects a pause and additional work after the city signed a commercial‑service agreement, which required adjustments to forecasts, noise analysis and facilities. Staff said the FAA does not ‘‘approve’’ the full master plan document but reviews it and formally approves the aviation forecast and the ALP.

Key items highlighted included an updated FAA aviation forecast (FAA figures described as conservatively estimating about 106,000 operations in the forecast base year), a runway-length analysis that supports a 500‑foot extension to produce a 6,700‑foot runway based on current general‑aviation traffic, taxiway improvements (Taxiway Bravo shoulder and geometry upgrades), intersection realignments to reduce runway incursion risk, and terminal‑area redevelopment concepts (including overnight parking and de‑icing pads). Staff also noted the Exhibit A property map and identified two low‑priority future property acquisitions and an area adjacent to the VRE development that is shown for future advanced air‑mobility or support facilities.

Staff summarized master‑plan costs and change orders: the original study costed roughly $791,000, with additional noise analysis and forecast updates paid in part by grants (staff reported a $5,200 noise study and a roughly $76,000 forecast update supported in part by the state Department of Aviation). Staff emphasized that listing a project in the master plan does not guarantee FAA or Department of Aviation funding; projects will be subject to FAA review, funding availability and subsequent environmental work at the project level.

Staff described funding mechanisms airport operators use, including federal entitlements tied to activity thresholds, passenger facility charges (PFCs) once commercial service stabilizes, and discretionary FAA grants. Council members asked clarifying questions about timing and funding; staff said projects are prioritized by airfield safety and pavement condition and that design and funding work will continue in coordination with the FAA and state partners.

No formal council action was required during the briefing; staff said the city manager will sign off on the documents when appropriate.