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Asheville Regional Airport reports construction surge and about 2.24 million passengers in 2025
Summary
Airport CEO Lou Bllywise told commissioners 2025 was the airport’s second‑largest year by passengers, with roughly 2.24 million travelers and about $126.2 million in construction. He outlined new service, terminal work, a new FAA control tower and parking improvements and answered questions about local vendor participation and ground transportation.
Lou Bllywise, president and CEO of Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), briefed the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on airport operations and capital work for 2025.
Bllywise said the airport hosted six airlines and maintained 27 nonstop destinations, including new or expanded service to Boston and additional Allegiant service to Dallas. He said passenger volume for the year was roughly 2.24 million — up about 3.1% over the previous year — and described a mix of operational metrics and capital projects.
Major construction milestones in 2025 included opening the north concourse and new terminal ticketing areas, a temporary checkpoint, and completion of the FAA control tower, with commissioning expected the following month. Bllywise said AVL spent about $126.2 million on construction in 2025 and listed perimeter road work, demolition of a general aviation hangar area to make room for commercial service aircraft, and the return of art and music programming in the terminal.
The CEO answered commissioners’ questions about contracting with local vendors, noting national operators manage most concessions but vendors have worked to incorporate local products and the airport continues outreach to encourage local participation. On parking, Bllywise said the airport had opened roughly 300 additional spaces and is building an approximately 1,100‑space surface lot to the north, with preliminary design work for a second parking garage under way.
Bllywise also described the airport’s community and charitable activities, including a runway 5K that netted about $38,000 and other local partnerships.
What happens next: Bllywise said the FAA control tower would be commissioned soon and staff will continue terminal and parking improvements; commissioners thanked staff for the update and asked staff to continue outreach to support local vendor participation.
