airline AirTran Airways ceased operations at the airport due to their merger with Southwest Airlines (which was already serving nearby Norfolk International Airport). Passenger count declined in 2012 after the departure of AirTran, with layoffs at the airport announced in May 2012 including police officers, all police dispatchers and other staff. The airport is home to three Fixed-Base operators: Rick Aviation, Atlantic Aviation and Orion Air Group, which are now Tempus Jets. In January 2013, Mid Atlantic Aviation was also located at the airport, as well as Epix Aviation. Rick and Atlantic provide flight instruction schools, and jet fuel services to private and commercial airplanes. Atlantic Aviation handles international chartered flights. Rick Aviation continues to operate inside the original passenger terminal, sharing space with Denbigh High School's Aviation Academy (serving over 350 high school students). As Orion Air Group opened a new world headquarters facility which will employ 100 people; they are already planning an additional expansion. Additionally, in 2011 Tidewater Flight Center opened a second location at the airport, providing flight instruction from the original terminal building. Also sharing the original terminal building is a local squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, which maintains several CAP airplanes at the airport. Newport News–Williamsburg is the first airport in the nation to undergo a sustainability project, to incorporate green technology in every facet of operations. In January 2014, Concourse A began to add a Federal Inspection Station and fully implement a U.S. Customs processing facility. In 2020, additional administrative staff members were laid off from positions due to declining revenue and impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Delta suspended its thrice daily service to Atlanta. Delta has announced no plans to restore the flights. In July 2022, Avelo Airlines announced new service from the airport. The airline will begin with flights to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in October 2022. In February 2023, Avelo Airlines announced it would be ending its service at the airport starting April 16, 2023. Airlines and destinations Passenger American Eagle service at the airport is currently operated with Canadair CRJ-700 and Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets on behalf of American Airlines via a code sharing agreement. Ground transportation The airport is served by various taxi companies, including Orange, American, Yellow, Best, and All City. Hampton Roads Transit directly serves the airport with regional bus service at two bus stops; the