North Central West Virginia Airport is a public/military airport a mile northeast of Bridgeport and six miles east of Clarksburg, in Harrison County, West Virginia, United States. It is owned and operated by the Benedum Airport Authority, serving Harrison and Marion County, and was formerly Benedum Airport and Harrison-Marion Regional Airport. The airport sees two airlines, with some passenger service subsidized by the Essential Air Service program. Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 36,917 passenger boardings (enplanements) in the calendar year 2018, 25,105 in 2017 and 10,694 in 2010. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a primary commercial service airport (more than 10,000 enplanements per year).

Facilities

The airport covers 434 acres (176 ha) at an elevation of 1,224 feet (373 m). Its single runway, 3/21, is 7,800 by 150 feet (2,377 x 46 m) long. It has one helipad, 50 by 50 feet (15 x 15 m). Also located at the airport is the Army National Guard's Fixed Wing Army Aviation Training Site (FWAATS). The FWAATS trains Army aviators from all three components in the C-12 and C-26 aircraft.

Expansion project

A new terminal building is being built, with a total budget of around $27 million. Construction began in April 2023 and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2024. The new terminal will be significantly larger than the current one, with more gates, improved baggage claim facilities, and expanded security screening areas. It will feature modern amenities like a passenger lounge, restaurants, and retail stores. The airport is also currently working on developing more land for future commercial and industrial use. This includes the creation of 83 acres of flat developable land as part of the new terminal building project. The goal is to attract new businesses and further diversify the airport's economic activity. These expansion projects are expected to have a significant impact on the North Central West Virginia Airport, attracting new airlines, passengers, and businesses. They will also create jobs, boost the local economy, and make the airport a more modern and efficient transportation hub for the region.

Economic development

The airport is home to the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex which hosts many leading aerospace companies such as Aurora Flight Sciences, Pratt & Whitney, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (formerly Bombardier), and Lockheed Martin.

Fairmont State University

Fairmont State University operates its flight school from a facility on the east side of the runway. The school operates Cessna 172's and one Piper PA-23. Fairmont State University plays a significant role in the North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB) through its Aviation Administration program and the Fairmont State Aviation Center of Excellence. Overall, Fairmont State University plays a multifaceted role at the North Central West Virginia Airport, contributing to education, research, and community engagement while strengthening the airport's position as a vital transportation and economic hub for the region.

Airlines and destinations

History

The airport opened in 1935 as the Tri-County Airport, a joint effort of Harrison, Marion and Taylor County. It was a grass airstrip on leased land. In 1937, Marion and Taylor County withdrew from the project. In 1938, Harrison County purchased land to expand the airport. In 1944, the airport was renamed Benedum Airport after Michael L. Benedum. In the 1950s, the airport had 3719-foot runway 5 and 2978-foot runway 16; around 1964, both were replaced by 5200-ft runway 3 and 2500-ft runway 13. The first airline flights were Capital DC-3s in 1949; Lake Central replaced Capital at the end of 1960, and successor Allegheny's last Convair left about the end of 1977. The runway was extended to 7000 ft in 1999. The current airport authority was established in 1960. Enplanements for 2018 were 36,917, up from 25,105 the year before, a 47% increase. In August 2019, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice came to the airport to announce a $20 million investment to be made at the airport: a new terminal, taxiways, and more space for economic development. On June 25, 2021, officials broke ground on the site of the new terminal and 100-acre AeroTech business park with a planned completion of 2023. In March 2022, Skywest announced the end of service at the North Central West Virginia Airport, along with 28 other cities, due to a pilot shortage. The company stated the service would end within the next 90 days of the announcement. Days after the announcement, the Department of Transportation announced a hold on the termination of service until a replacement can be found, per Essential Air Service rules. On July 7, 2022, the airport authority announced Contour Airlines as the successor to Skywest. Non-stop flights to Charlotte began on December 1, 2022.

Statistics

Top destinations

Accidents at CKB

Other sources