Washington Manassas Airport has cleared a federal requirement for commercial passenger flights, bringing Northern Virginia closer to another airport option. On August 31, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration granted the airport a Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate.
The FAA says the certificate allows Washington Manassas Airport, identified as HEF, to accommodate certain commercial passenger airlines. Travelers still cannot book a scheduled airline flight from Manassas. Officials are targeting the end of 2027 for passenger service, and no airline has been announced. FAA announcement and Potomac Local’s report.
Washington Manassas Airport commercial flights: Quick facts
What the FAA approved at Washington Manassas Airport
The certificate confirms that the airport meets federal safety standards required for the covered passenger-airline operations. Those standards address runway and taxiway conditions, aircraft rescue and firefighting, emergency planning, wildlife hazards and staff training. FAA airport-certification requirements.
The FAA says Manassas is the first Virginia airport to receive a new operating certificate in 53 years. FAA announcement.
Part 139 certification applies to airports. It does not name an airline or tell travelers which destinations they will be able to book. Potomac Local describes it as the last federal approval the field needed before it can host scheduled passenger airlines, following the FAA’s July 30 environmental decision on the certification and terminal redevelopment program.
When could commercial flights start?
The current target is late 2027, according to both Potomac Local and Aviation Week. That is a planning target, not a published flight schedule.
Nothing to book yet
Potomac Local reports that the commercial terminal is not open and that travelers cannot book a flight from Manassas today. Passenger facilities still need to be completed, and an airline needs to commit to service and put flights on sale. The City of Manassas owns the airport, and its private partner Avports is responsible for the commercial terminal, parking and airline recruitment under a 40-year agreement approved in 2023.
The airport work behind the announcement
The FAA says it has invested more than $46 million at HEF during the past five years. That funding supports infrastructure improvements including runway rehabilitation and future construction of a new air traffic control tower. FAA investment details.
Those improvements help explain the work behind the certificate. They do not establish an opening date for passenger service.
Could Manassas become your closer airport?
Washington Manassas Airport lists its address as 10600 Harry J. Parrish Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110. Official airport website.
For someone living near Manassas, an airline operating from HEF could mean another option to compare with Dulles, Reagan National or BWI. Whether it is actually the better choice will depend on where the flights go, how often they run and the total price of the trip.
A closer airport will not help much if it does not serve your destination. Until airlines publish schedules, it is too early to promise shorter trips, cheaper tickets or a replacement for any particular flight from the region’s existing airports.
What travelers should watch for
Read more about airports and development across the region in DC Spot’s coverage of the Dulles private VIP terminal, and find current plans in things to do in Northern Virginia this month.
Frequently asked questions about Washington Manassas Airport commercial flights
Can I book a commercial flight from Washington Manassas Airport now?
No. As of September 1, 2026, no scheduled passenger-airline flights were available to book, according to Potomac Local. The commercial terminal is not open.
Which airlines will fly from Washington Manassas Airport?
No airline has been announced. Routes, fares and a booking date remain unknown.
When will commercial flights start at Manassas?
Officials are targeting the end of 2027 for passenger service, according to Potomac Local and Aviation Week. That is a planning target, not a published schedule.
Does FAA approval mean passenger service has started?
No. The airport received its Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate on August 31, 2026. The passenger terminal and an airline launch remain ahead.
What is the airport code for Washington Manassas Airport?
HEF. The airport is at 10600 Harry J. Parrish Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110.
Is Washington Manassas Airport the first new commercial airport in Virginia in decades?
The FAA says it is the first Virginia airport to receive a new operating certificate in 53 years.
Feature image courtesy Harrison Keely via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0, cropped. It shows the existing airfield; the commercial terminal is not open.
Last updated September 1, 2026. The certificate, the 53-year Virginia first and the investment figure were checked against the FAA’s August 31, 2026 announcement. The late-2027 target, the absence of an airline and the unfinished terminal were checked against Potomac Local’s September 1 reporting and Aviation Week. The airport address was checked against flyhef.com. Airline, routes, fares and booking dates have not been announced.
