Press Releases

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), and Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), as well as Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both of Virginia, announced the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) has been awarded a $847,646 grant from the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) through the U.S. Department of Transportation. Specifically, this grant will provide funding to expand service at PHF with a new United flight to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). 

“This grant will not only provide vital air service between the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) and Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), but benefit the entire Greater Peninsula area,” said Congressman Rob Wittman. “By returning United Airlines to PHF with regular service for the first time since the early 1980’s, this grant allows PHF to meet the regions’ growing business demands through vital connections to overseas destinations. I am proud to have advocated on behalf of this funding for the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, and look forward to watching as this project improves the economy and quality of life across coastal Virginia.” 

“Providing an additional direct flight from Newport News/Williamsburg to Washington Dulles Airport is critical to meeting the transit and economic needs of the over 500,000 residents of the Peninsula,” said Congresswoman Elaine Luria. "Time after time, I have voiced the importance of investing in our regional infrastructure, and I am proud to have helped secure this victory alongside the Virginia delegation on behalf of Peninsula residents.”

“This grant will greatly benefit the Commonwealth by providing regular air service between Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) and Washington Dulles Airport (IAD),” said Congressman Bobby Scott. “This will help reduce congestion on our roadways, boost our economy, and provide more connection to overseas destinations. I am thankful for the bipartisan effort to secure this grant funding and look forward to seeing its implementation.”

“We are glad to see this vital funding go toward supporting travel throughout the Commonwealth, while also promoting greater economic opportunities for the surrounding areas,” said Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.  

“The Peninsula Airport Commission and its staff are grateful for the tremendous amount of public and private support our community provided us during the application process,” said Michael Giardino, Executive Director of the Peninsula Airport Commission. “We are committed to bringing reliable commercial air service to the Virginia Peninsula.”

This grant announcement follows a series of letters sent by Representatives Wittman, Luria, and Scott, as well as Senators Warner and Kaine, to the United States Department of Transportation recommending the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport be awarded this grant from SCASDP. To read Congressman Wittman's letter to the United States Department of Transportation from January 27, 2021, read below.

January 27, 2021

 

Ms. Brooke Chapman, Associate Director
United States Department of Transportation
Office of Aviation Analysis
8^th Floor, Room W86-307
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590

 

Dear Director Chapman,

I am writing in support of Newport News Williamsburg International Airport’s (PHF) funding request from the United States Department of Transportation through the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) to expand service at PHF with a new United Airlines flight to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

As an elected official representing the Greater Peninsula area, I’m confident this grant will provide more than just the vital air service between the two cities.  It will take at least 233 cars a day off of our already congested roadways, the current number of cars currently driving daily to fly out of Dulles (IAD).  This grant also returns United Airlines to PHF with regular service for the first time since the early 80’s.  Being one of our nation’s top airlines, United’s presence at PHF benefits the entire region with more affordable travel options.  Additionally, this grant facilitates the Peninsula’s growing business community demands for this vital connection to overseas destinations.  Finally, a flight to the nation’s capital will provide better connectivity for the large number of military and civilian employees who call the Peninsula home. 

As stated in that January 19, 2021 Amending Order (referring to the additional funds from the CARES Act Supplemental), “The law includes a new appropriation of up to $5 million for SCASDP, and requires the Department “to give priority to communities or consortia of communities that have had air carrier service reduced or suspended as a result of the coronavirus pandemic” for this funding and for funding for fiscal years 2019, 2020, and 2021.” 

One would be hard pressed to find a community more severely affected by the reduction in air service, due to the pandemic, than the Virginia Peninsula.

I dutifully work to protect our taxpayer’s investments while continuing to strive to maximize every penny invested while serving in an elected capacity in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Awarding this grant to PHF and its community partners, will make a positive impact on the quality of life for residents across coastal Virginia.  It is for these reasons that I write in support of the PHF SCASDP Grant.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this important effort. If I can answer any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

 

Robert J. Wittman
Member of Congress