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Business coalition proposes Hampton Roads transatlantic air-service fund to recruit international flights
Summary
Business groups proposed creating a Hampton Roads Transatlantic Air Service Regional Fund to recruit transatlantic service at Norfolk International Airport, with the Hampton Roads Alliance serving as fiscal agent; organizers said the proposal would not change airport governance and public funding is 'TBD.'
Jared Chalk, chief business development officer with the Hampton Roads Alliance, told the Norfolk City Council on Dec. 25 that regional businesses are proposing the creation of a Hampton Roads Transatlantic Air Service Regional Fund to help recruit and support international, transatlantic flights to Norfolk International Airport. Chalk said the Alliance would act as fiscal agent for the private coalition and emphasized the effort is business-driven.
The proposal, presented alongside Nancy Gurden of the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable, would pool private-sector contributions and use that funding as one tool to convince airlines to add transatlantic service. "This is a business driven effort, first and foremost," Gurden said. She described the work as early-stage and said the first step is demonstrating business-community support in the region.
Council members asked whether the fund would require changes to the airport's governance or ask local governments for money. Gurden replied: "This is all TBD," and she and Chalk both said the intention is not to change airport governance. "The intention is to try to support getting transatlantic flights here into the region," Gurden said.
The presentation framed the fund as one of several tools — along with local economic development and marketing efforts — to increase demand and make the region more competitive. Council members did not act on the proposal during the work session; presenters said further coalition-building and resolution drafting are the next steps.
The council session included clarifying exchanges about scope and funding: council members repeatedly sought confirmation that the proposal would not alter airport management, and presenters repeatedly answered that it would not. Presenters said private fundraising is the initial focus and that any request for public funding would be considered separately and only after the coalition demonstrates private support.
The council did not vote on any ordinance or appropriation related to the fund at the work session.
