Charlottesville Albemarle Airport

Overview

Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is the main air gateway for Charlottesville, Virginia, and the surrounding Albemarle area in the United States. Identified as CHO and KCHO, it is classified as a medium airport, giving travelers a balance between useful air service and a generally more manageable scale than a major hub. For many visitors, that means shorter walking distances, simpler orientation, and an easier start or finish to a trip centered on Charlottesville.

Quick facts

• Airport name: Charlottesville Albemarle Airport
• Codes: CHO (IATA) and KCHO (ICAO)
• Airport type: medium airport
• Elevation: 639 ft / 195 m above sea level
• Runway: 03/21, 6,801 ft long, asphalt, and lighted
• Time zone: America/New_York

What this means for travelers

The airport’s single lighted asphalt runway, designated 03/21, is 6,801 feet long, which supports regular commercial operations while reflecting the airport’s smaller, more approachable footprint. Its elevation of 639 feet is not something most passengers will notice directly, but it is part of the operating environment pilots plan for. For travelers, the most practical detail is the time zone: Charlottesville Albemarle Airport runs on America/New_York time, so flight schedules, pickup plans, and hotel check-in times should all be matched to Eastern Time. If you are arriving from another region, confirming the local time before landing can help avoid confusion with rental cars, onward driving, or meeting someone at the terminal.