Manassas Regional Airport Selected for Charter Service

Image: Passengers on Air Charter Express take tour buses into Washington, D.C.

Through October, the Manassas Regional Airport will be a regular stop for Air Charter Express (ACE), the passenger division of Freight Runners Express Inc.

ACE recently began bringing tourists from Asia to the Washington, D.C., region, according to Patty Prince, a spokeswoman for the City of Manassas. The company selected Manassas Regional Airport as a regular stopping point for its tours because the airport is a cost-effective alternative to other major airports in the area.

Manassas Regional Airport is the busiest general aviation airport in Virginia, with more than 415 aircraft based there, according to a city news release. The airport has an annual economic impact to the community of about $235 million.

“Manassas Regional Airport serves a vital role in promoting economic development and tourism for the Greater Manassas region as well as the City of Manassas,” City Manager W. Patrick Pate said in the release. “We welcome Air Charter Express to the community of businesses that are utilizing the Manassas Regional Airport as a cost-effective way into the Capital region.”

Air Charter Express is based in Milwaukee and has been operating for 30 years, including 21 years flying passengers. Freight Runners Express Inc. currently has 60 employees.

In addition to tour groups, their fleet of 24 aircraft fly corporate shuttle flights and college sports teams, including men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, soccer, gymnastics and softball teams. Their cargo business operates scheduled cargo flights in the Midwest, and on-demand cargo flights to and from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. They also provide full-service aircraft maintenance and management services.