Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) has long served as a gateway to the beauty and culture of Western North Carolina. In 2025, that gateway took a historic step forward with the opening of its newly expanded terminal—the centerpiece of the multi-phase AVL Forward program. This $400 million investment, the largest in the airport’s history, more than doubled terminal space and modernized facilities to meet years of rapid passenger growth.

Delivering such a transformation without disrupting daily operations required more than construction expertise; it demanded a disciplined approach to operational readiness. Chrysalis Global Aviation’s team provided that bridge through its Operational Readiness, Activation, and Transition (ORAT) service suite, turning complexity into confidence on opening day.

A Terminal Built for Today—and Tomorrow

Phase One of AVL Forward, which opened in summer 2025, introduced a new ticket lobby, a state-of-the-art TSA checkpoint, and a North Concourse with seven new gates, expanded seating, modern concessions, and four new passenger boarding bridges. The expansion directly responds to sustained growth: AVL served more than 2.2 million passengers in 2024 and has nearly tripled its nonstop destinations over the past decade.

“When we’re working with clients, we’re constantly thinking about being operationally Ready for Day One and Day One Thousand,” said Andrew Young (Director of Aviation Services, Chrysalis Global). “Asheville’s new terminal is built to support the region’s future, and its operations need to match that.”

Opening a major new concourse while construction continues—and passengers, airlines, and partners remain fully operational—requires careful coordination beyond drawings and schedules.

ORAT: Aligning People, Process, and Systems

“Construction is only part of the puzzle,” said David Bannasch-Ruzicka (Sr. Consultant, Chrysalis Global Aviation), who served as the Sr. Consultant in charge of the AVL engagement. “Chrysalis’s approach thinks about how the facility will be used after construction to ensure operations are working efficiently and effectively.”

Opening on Time—with Confidence

When the North Concourse and new security checkpoint opened in June 2025, AVL transitioned seamlessly. Passengers experienced intuitive wayfinding, expanded capacity, and modern amenities.

The result was uninterrupted operations, immediate passenger benefits, and a clear path forward for phased expansion. Asheville’s success demonstrates that regional airports can navigate complexity, scale smartly, and open with confidence—when readiness starts long before the ribbon is cut.

Learn more about Chrysalis Global Aviation at www.chrysalisglobal.com.