About Us

First Landing Strip

In 1930, the Manassas Town Council proposed that a landing strip be constructed along Virginia Route 234 near Manassas. At that time the population of Manassas was 1,215 and the Mayor was Harry P. Davis, for whom the current airport was named.

The following year, a group of investors purchased almost 95 acres of land in the area currently known as Manaport Shopping Center along Route 234. The airport was leased to the City of Manassas in 1931 and officially opened on June 8, 1932.

Over the next few years, an additional 12.6 acres were purchased and several improvements were made at the airport. In 1945, the City purchased the airport outright.

Airport Relocation

Due to increased airport activity and encroaching housing development, the City saw that it was necessary to move the airport to a new location. In 1963, 268 acres were purchased with federal, state, and local funds. The new airport was dedicated as the Manassas Municipal Airport on September 20, 1964. The airport had a single 3700' x 100' paved runway, a rotating beacon, maintenance hangar, office, and 30 T-Hangars.

Since 1964, many changes have taken place at Washington Manassas Airport (HEF) – Harry P. Davis Field. Additional land was purchased and many improvements were implemented. In 1997, a new 5700' parallel runway, 16L/34R, and taxiway Bravo were constructed. In years to follow, ramp areas, perimeter and access roadways, and a Main Terminal Building were built on the east side of the airfield. Private franchise holders have constructed additional T-Hangars, Corporate Hangars, business complexes, and other facilities.

Airport Construction

In 1992, the City of Manassas undertook the first ever effort to "recycle" an air traffic control tower. The tower was from an airport near Denver, CO, where it was disassembled and shipped it to Manassas. The tower was reassembled at the airport and was dedicated on April 16, 1992. A modern Main Terminal Building was completed and dedicated in September of 1996.

In 1998, a new airfield lighting vault, segmented circle, and the 16L PAPIs were installed. In 2000, rehabilitation of Runway 16R/34L and Taxiway Alpha added a great improvement for pilots.

Over the next several years, Washington Manassas Airport underwent a large growth in corporate hangars. Four corporate hangars were built on the northeast side of the airport along with the installation of James Payne Court, named after one of the original airport committee members in 1960.

The main runway, 16L/34R, and parallel Taxiway Bravo were rehabilitated starting in 2003 and continuing for the next several years. This project included changing the right angle exits of the taxiways to an acute angle exit to enable aircraft to exit the runway at an easier and safer pace. The bridges on both the main runway and parallel taxiway were also reconstructed to handle larger and heavier aircraft.

Airport Impact

With over 400 based aircraft and over 90,000 annual aircraft operations, Washington Manassas Airport is the busiest General Aviation (GA) Airport in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since its opening in 1932, the Washington Manassas Airport has been a key contributor to the local economy. In 2012, Washington Manassas Airport was identified as one of 84 National General Aviation (GA) airports by the FAA. In 2018, an economic impact study was conducted; and it was determined that the airport contributed more than $375 million to its local economy. 

Recent & Future Improvements

In 2007, the Airport completed its East Apron Expansion project, which included adding Taxilane Golf and new T-hangars. It also added 22 new tie downs to the current 88 tie-downs.

On November 18, 2012, the Washington Manassas Airport completed Phase I of II of the Runway Extension Project, giving runway 16L/34R at a new distance of 6,200’. From Spring of 2013 to the Winter of 2014, Phase II of the project was completed with the relocation of its Instrument Landing System (ILS), the realignment of Taxiway Kilo, and a bridge widening project for Taxiway Bravo and Runway 34R.

Future improvements include the construction of Taxiway Delta (which is in the final phase), an Environmental Assessment for the West Side Redevelopment Study, and an updated Airport Master Plan.