About Us
The Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission was created in 1956 by a group of local business and community leaders from five localities: Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and the counties of Rockingham and Augusta. This forward-thinking group knew for our local economy to grow, an air transportation facility with substantial capabilities would be critical. Today, these same localities have businesses and industries that depend on the facilities and services provided at SHD as an essential part of their day-to-day operations. SHD is a critical partner in regional economic development efforts and works collaboratively with the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, the region’s economic development and marketing organization. Close proximity and access are core criteria when companies are looking to invest, grow and expand. It often begins with their first visit to the Valley through the doors of SHD.
Shenandoah Valley Airport serves as the ultimate gateway to our beautiful and diverse region while meeting the area’s varied and growing aviation needs. We pride ourselves on our premier aircraft services for private and corporate customers, and reliable airline flights with great connections to the world. Our first-class customer service is guaranteed every time you choose to fly with us. We know that we are your first step into the Valley, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. We keep you in mind at every step, from offering free parking to providing complimentary flight booking assistance and more. Travel with us to experience firsthand the difference that flying local makes.
By The Numbers
75 Average
Aircraft
Operations
a Day
Aircraft
Created
of Runway
of Economic Activity
Generated Annually*
March 14, 1957
The Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission broke ground on the $600,000 Shenandoah Valley Joint Airport site. At the time, the airport featured a 4,000-foot paved airstrip.
January 31, 1960
The airport officially opened and was dedicated to the community. The opening was met with much celebration and fanfare, with over 5,000 people in attendance.
February 1, 1960
The first commercial flight, from Piedmont Airlines, took off from SHD. The first air service included direct flights to Washington National Airport (now Reagan National Airport), Roanoke, VA, Asheville, NC, Knoxville, TN, and the Tri-Cities of Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City. A new era of aviation advancement in the Valley was officially ushered in!
Present Day
Flying forward to today, SHD is a thriving airport in our region. We now proudly offer round-trip flights to Washington Dulles (IAD) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) airports through United Airlines and their regional partner, SkyWest. We are honored to hold such a vital position in our community, and we are looking forward to more growth in our future.
COVID-19 Precautions
At SHD, the health and safety of our passengers, staff members, and our community remain of the utmost importance. In order to keep our travelers safe, we have introduced a number of safety precautions: required face coverings, enhanced cleaning procedures, floor markers and signage, protective shields around the terminal, and more. Plus an extensive study by the U.S. Department of Defense revealed that airplanes are one of the safest indoor spaces for the risk of COVID-19 exposure, due to the continuous airflow and advanced filtration.
The Latest from SHD
Travel Along to Alaska
One of the most interesting parts of our work at SHD is learning about the amazing places our passengers are traveling. Whether you're on the move for business or a dream vacation, we're happy to be part of your journey and connect you with the world. We recently connected Nick and Nicky Swayne to Alaska, where they took in the gorgeous sights of Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Whittier, and more! The Swaynes were gracious enough to be guest writers for our blog and share their epic trip with us. Keep reading to be transported to Alaska!...
Celebrating National Aviation Day with Joe!
Today is one of our favorite days of the year because it’s National Aviation Day – a day to celebrate aviation and those...
Celebrating Aviation Maintenance Technician Day
Today we take an extra special moment to celebrate aviation technicians in honor of Aviation Maintenance Technician Day!...
My wife Sally and I love the Shenandoah Valley airport. Everyone treats you like a friend and a neighbor rather than just another customer. We also love the free parking, which compared with other flying options, saves us more money than traveling to a much large airport not to mention the convenience of all that time and additional driving.
The TSA officers at SHD made my solo travel experience with an infant, seven-year-old, and nine-year-old so much easier. He gave me step-by-step instructions on what I should unpack at screening and was really amazing with my older kids. The TSA experience we had should be the standard for TSA experiences everywhere!
I fly out of SHD whenever possible - it’s an amazing resource for the Valley. I can arrive at the airport an hour before my flight and be safely on a plane to any destination in the world. Then, when I return, I can jump in my car and be home in 15 minutes. The new carrier is a United partner, so my bags are checked through to the final destination. With the time saved in travel, money saved in parking, and the convenience of its location – you just can’t beat SHD for travel.
The decision to fly from SHD was a no-brainer for our family. The cost/benefit for us to fly out of SHD was amazing. The location of the airport made it easily accessible to us from Bridgewater and Dayton. Free parking! The flight to Chicago was direct, and less than 2 hours take off to touch down.
I love the convenience of SHD! The staff is always friendly with quick and efficient service. I have yet to leave on a late flight. I enjoy knowing it will be a smooth transition from the plane to my car just steps from the terminal to be on my way home.
Once you fly out of SHD you will see how much time & money you save! I will never fly out of another airport!
Visit the Valley!
When was the last time your flight took off or landed amongst the mountains? Flying with SHD gives our passengers a bird’s eye view of the Shenandoah Valley’s scenic landscape as you land in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Once you’ve landed, it’s time to get out and explore the Shenandoah Valley’s array of attractions.