The Manassas Regional Airport is on the verge of a major transformation as it progresses toward becoming a Part 139 certificated airport, a designation that would allow it to offer commercial airline service. This advancement, along with ongoing modernization efforts, was a key focus of the latest Manassas City Council meeting on February 10, 2025.
Airport Commission Chairman Rod Hall underscored the significance of the upcoming certification, noting that it would place Manassas in an elite category.
"Today, the airport stands at the cusp of becoming a Part 139 certificated airport, offering commercial service, working in collaborative efforts with our partner, Avports. Our team is working up and down the certification checklist from ARF, security, and environmental assessments work to addressing current infrastructure deficiencies. All parties are working diligently towards achieving certification this year."
This article is for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade and Become a Locals Only Member today! Make the smart choice for staying informed about your community. Thank you!
Happy Friday, Manassas!
Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Oct. 28 regular meeting. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St.
Sign up for our FREE news email and never hesitate to email me at [email protected] with comments, questions and/or news tips.
Important links
Key agenda items
This article is for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade and Become a Locals Only Member today! Make the smart choice for staying informed about your community. Thank you!
Ross Snare has resigned as Chairman of the Manassas Regional Airport Commission, effective Monday, October 21, 2024. His departure comes amid unverified allegations involving disparaging remarks about a city council member, adding fuel to an already heated local election season.
Snare, a Prince William County resident, was appointed to the commission by the Manassas City Council in 2018 and reappointed in 2022. He made history in June 2023 by becoming the youngest and first county Prince William County resident to serve as Chairman. During his tenure, Snare played a pivotal role in the airport’s efforts to introduce commercial flights, a milestone now expected to be achieved in 2026, a year behind the initial schedule.
In his resignation letter to the city council, Snare cited personal matters and other commitments as his reasons for stepping down. “Serving as chair during this transition over the past several years has been the honor of a lifetime,” Snare wrote. “I wish you all the best during this transition.”
The resignation followed a podcast episode of “Until They Kick Us Out,” where hosts read aloud text messages they claimed were between Snare, Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, and a city employee, allegedly disparaging a sitting council member. Potomac Local News has not independently verified these messages.
This development occurs in the context of a contentious local election, where incumbent Mayor Michelle Davis Younger, a Democrat, faces challenger Xiao Yin “Tang” Byrom, a Republican and longtime city business owner. The podcast hosts have publicly endorsed Byrom for the upcoming November election. With three city council seats and four school board seats also in contention, the campaign has been marked by polarizing debates over property taxes, public safety, capital projects, and school accreditation.
Snare, who currently serves as the Associate Chief of External Affairs for UVA Health, has a background in political affairs and community service, including his role as the Chief Operating Officer of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. He has been a vocal advocate for the airport, highlighting its economic impact, which includes $375 million in annual economic activity and over 1,350 jobs.
The Manassas Regional Airport, which covers 889 acres, is the busiest general aviation airport in Virginia, with plans to transform it into a hub for commercial passenger flights. The commission’s recent approval of these plans is seen as a significant step toward achieving a vision that has been in the works since the mid-1990s.
Electra, a hybrid-electric aviation company, is considering Manassas as a potential location for a new production facility. According to City Councilman Mark Wolfe, this expansion could bring 1,500 jobs to the area, with average salaries of $100,000.
This article is for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade and Become a Locals Only Member today! Make the smart choice for staying informed about your community. Thank you!
Manassas Regional Airport’s plans to introduce commercial passenger jet service have hit a delay, with flights now expected to begin in 2026 instead of 2025.
On September 16, 2024, the Manassas City Council received an update from Airport Director Juan Rivera, who outlined the project's progress and the factors behind the delay. The council had unanimously approved a franchise agreement with Avports Manassas, LLC—a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs to begin commercial service by 2025. Still, unexpected infrastructure challenges have pushed back the timeline.
This article is for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade and Become a Locals Only Member today! Make the smart choice for staying informed about your community. Thank you!
Chris Strong from the National Weather Service Baltimore-Washington office noted the unusual nature of the storm, highlighting that “one of the biggest things that was more uncommon about that event was just how little wind there was in the general atmosphere for these storms to move around.” This lack of atmospheric movement allowed the storms to “evolve and develop in place,” leading to prolonged periods of heavy rain and persistent lightning across several areas.
Despite the severity, the region did not experience any tornadic activity. Strong explained that tornadoes generally require wind shear—an increase in wind speed and a change in direction at different altitudes—which was absent during this event. This contributed to the storm’s stationary behavior, causing extended weather disturbances over the same locations.
The storms resembled tropical-like conditions often seen in places like Florida, not Virginia. “It was much more tropical both in the soupy tropical air that’s the fuel for these storms to get going and the stagnant air around,” said Strong.
According to storm reports on file with the National Weather Service, emergency services in Prince William County were stretched as they responded to multiple calls related to the storm. At 6:32 p.m., a 911 call center reported approximately half a dozen trees down in the Buckland Mills area near Haymarket, causing obstructions and damage.
Flooding also became a significant concern, with the ramp from Route 29 onto Interstate 66 in Gainesville closed due to high water levels at 7:32 p.m. Further disruptions were reported in Dumfries at 8:31 p.m., where flooding across Route 1 impeded traffic flow.
Quantico Marine Corps Base recorded several high winds, with a peak 49 mph gust recorded on a Potomac River buoy at 8:35 p.m., illustrating the storm’s power as it moved over the area. Additionally, by 9:12 p.m., police closed Aden Road in Prince William County due to flooding.
More flooding was reported at 9:15 p.m. on Piper Lane near the railroad crossing near Manassas Regional Airport. There were several power outages, as well, with nearly 5,000 NOVEC customers out in Stafford County and more than 400 in Prince William.
Looking ahead, the region is now at the peak of hurricane season. Strong advised that while the current forecast suggests tropical disturbances will likely remain south of the mid-Atlantic, residents should remain vigilant through early October.
As Northern Virginia moves toward fall, Strong anticipates “more roller coasters of temperature swings,” providing some relief from one of the hottest summers on record.
Manassas Regional Airport received nearly $400,000 in grant funding for several projects from the Virginia Aviation Board. The awards come as the airport is undergoing a transformation that is expected to bring commercial airline service to the city.
We expect an update on service plans next month, which could begin as early as next year. We still don’t know what airline will provide the service or to which destinations.
Airport spokeswoman Jolene Berry provided more information on how the grant funding will be spent:
Airfield Signage Replacement (Construction): $138,381.08
Replace aging airfield guidance signs in addition to installing new vehicle guidance signs. There are a number of faded, non-standard signs, and signs that are no longer supported by the manufacturer. This project aims to replace the aging signs and install new vehicle guidance signs on access roads. Project includes purchasing signs from the manufacturer and contracting with a professional airfield electrician on installation. The signs will take 6-8 weeks to be delivered and should be installed by mid-January. NOTAMS(Notice to Air Missions) will be issued, notifying the flying community that signs are being worked on. There will be no impacts to the flying community.
Signage and Marking Plan Update: $7,740.00
Update Signage and Marking Plan to reflect current airfield conditions. The Airport’s Signage and Marking Plan is out of date and does not reflect current conditions as the airport has rehab and changed taxiway and taxilanes with the 16R/34L and Taxiway A construction projects over the last few years. This project would update the Signage and Marking Plan by soliciting services through one of the Airport’s engineering firms. The updated plan should be completed by November.
Taxilane Rehabilitation – Phase 2 (Construction): $251,465.40
Repave and rehabilitate pavement at East T-Hangars. Pavement for the east and west hangars is more than 15 years old respectively. This project is supported by the Airport’s pavement management program and would repair pavement conditions between the hangar alleyways. The first five rows of hangars have already been repaved and with this project the remaining three alleyways will be completed with this mill and fill project. The northwestern section of the east apron will also be milled and repaved under this project. This airport is hoping to schedule this project this summer with a completion by mid- November before the weather gets too cold. The airport will work with the tenants in the hangars during the constructions and block off the section of the east apron during construction. The flying community will continue to operate in and out of the east apron with minimal impacts.
The Virginia Aviation Board, at its quarterly meeting on Aug. 9, 2024, awarded $9.6 million for 28 projects at 19 airports across the Commonwealth.
According to Ross Snare, chairman of the Manassas airport authority, the Manassas Regional Airport is poised to update the city council and community on its ongoing efforts to introduce commercial passenger flights at a town hall meeting in September.
In an email, Snare confirmed, "We are actually going to be presenting to council and community at the Townhall in September."
This article is for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade and Become a Locals Only Member today! Make the smart choice for staying informed about your community. Thank you!
Col. John “Duke” Snider, 71, of Manassas, passed away on June 28, 2024. Born in Oxford, Ohio, in 1953, Snider’s early life was marked by achievements such as achieving Eagle Scout rank and excelling in various sports. His academic and military careers were equally distinguished, beginning with his time at Duke University and extending through a 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a fighter pilot and held various command roles.
After retiring from military service, Snider continued to impact his community through various roles, including Chairman of the Manassas City Board of Elections and a Manassas City Airport Commission member. His efforts were integral to the expansion of the Manassas Airport, moving it closer to accommodating commercial flights, which was approved by the city council last year.
Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis highlighted Snider’s community contributions in an interview. “John brought his vast experience as a pilot to the airport commission, significantly advancing our capabilities,” said Ellis. She also noted his balanced approach to his role on the Electoral Board, emphasizing that he “served the whole community well.”
Snider’s commitment to community service extended to his involvement with the Inter-Service Club Council. “In the short time that he was here, he really made a big impact,” Ellis remarked.
Snider is survived by his wife, Mary P. Snider, his son, Wesley J. Snider, and his daughter-in-law, Melissa L. Snider. His life was celebrated on July 20, at Pierce Funeral Home in Manassas.
