FAA Grants Commercial Operating Certificate to Washington Manassas Airport

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced it granted Washington Manassas Airport (HEF) a Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate, which allows the airport to accommodate certain commercial passenger airlines.  

“Commercial flights coming into Manassas will provide more economic growth within the community and create another commercial airport to service the Washington D.C. area,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Dan Edwards. “As the first airport in Virginia to receive an operating certificate in 53 years, this highlights our commitment to strengthening the National Airspace System and expanding communities access to safe, efficient airports.”

Part 139 Airport Operating Certificates are issued to airports that demonstrate compliance with multiple federal safety standards including runway and taxiway pavement conditions, aircraft rescue and firefighting, emergency planning, wildlife hazard management and personnel training.

In the last five years, the FAA invested more than $46 million at HEF to support critical infrastructure improvements, including runway rehabilitation and the future construction of a new air traffic control tower.  

Additional information:

Under the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation is investing funds from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act into building the Brand New Air Traffic Control System. As part of this effort, HEF has already received equipment upgrades with more on the way, including:  

• New high speed fiber wires (Received May 2026): enhance communication. 
• National Airspace System (NAS) Voice Recorder (NVR) (Received August 2026): capture, store and manage audio communications between pilots and controllers. 
• Modern voice switches (Received August 2026): replaced analog systems from the 1990s and enable controllers to more easily switch channels and connect faster than ever before. That means improved communication with aircraft, adjacent facilities and internal phone systems. 
• Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) (Expected October 2027): enables air traffic controllers to track aircraft and vehicles in real-time in any weather condition, and where aircraft may be out of sight from the control tower. This vital technology will reduce delays and improve runway safety efficiency.

Read more and track our progress on our Modern Skies website.