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Task force created to help Richmond, VA Airport land direct international flights
February 27, 2026
Richmond International Airport’s efforts to land its first direct transatlantic international flight are continuing behind the scenes.
CEO Perry Miller told the Capital Region Airport Commission this week that the airport is working with a new task force created by the Greater Richmond Partnership to help “facilitate the development of international service.”
The creation of the task force was headed up by CRAC commissioner Bobby Ukrop, and the task force itself is being led by Allianz Partners CEO Jeff Wright and Atlantic Union Bank Senior Vice President Andy Kerr.
A key objective for the task force is to help raise funds from public and private sources to help either subsidize new international routes or provide revenue guarantees to the airlines providing them. Airport spokespeople declined to say exactly how much funding is needed but said it would be well over eight figures.
Miller told the commission that “there’s a number of companies that have pledged or committed” and that interest remains high.
“
Perry MillerI get calls pretty much at least three times per week from people wanting to know how to contribute, so that’s going very well.”
It’s unclear how much money has been raised or pledged, or by which companies. GRP CEO Jennifer Wakefield said that each of the region’s top employers will be approached and that “fundraising efforts are ramping up.”
Last summer RIC began publicly discussing a direct international flight across the Atlantic. The airport is specifically looking for a direct flight to Europe because airport data shows a significant percentage of Richmond-based travelers “leak” to other airports to fly to their final destination in Europe. RIC execs said last year that 75% of Europe-bound Richmonders fly out of other airports, showing that RIC has enough demand to justify a direct route for itself.
However, when establishing new routes, airlines look for ways to mitigate financial risk, specifically through revenue guarantees. Airports are prohibited from offering such incentives, so outside custodians, in this case the Greater Richmond Partnership, raise and manage such funds.
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