Business aviation
Signature Aviation breaks ground on hangar and office development at Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport
Signature Aviation announced the groundbreaking of a more than $10 million hangar and office development at Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport (ROA), continuing a nearly seven-decade legacy of serving aircraft, crews, and passengers in Virginia’s Blue Ridge region. The project will add a 22,000-square-foot hangar with an attached 3,000-square-foot office facility and a 14-bay parking lot. Designed with a 28-foot-high hangar door, the facility will accommodate a broad range of modern business aircraft, including the tallest generation of new jets entering service.
Lionberger Construction, a Roanoke-based general contractor, will lead construction of the project. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027. Once complete, the project will enhance aircraft storage availability at ROA while supporting the airport’s continued role as a critical gateway for business aviation for the region.
Roanoke Regional Airport Commission President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Stewart commented: “General aviation plays a key role in the economic health of our region, spurring growth through global air connectivity for the Roanoke Valley and far beyond. We’re thrilled with Signature’s commitment to building new facilities that will support the growing demand for first-class corporate aviation hangar space and services at ROA. Signature’s investments reflect their confidence in the future business needs of our region and will make ROA more attractive to the aircraft owners, operators, and businesses that rely on this airport.”
Jim Hopkins, Senior Vice President of Airport Relations and Strategic Programs for Signature Aviation stated: “Signature’s history at ROA is not just measured in years, but in the relationships, aircraft, and regional missions we have supported since the Piedmont Aviation era. This project allows us to build on that foundation with modern infrastructure that responds directly to guest and customer demand, supports the airport’s long-term goals, and reinforces our commitment to Roanoke for years to come.Every airport we serve has a distinct role in its community,” Hopkins added. “At ROA, that role includes connecting businesses, supporting private aircraft owners, and helping Virginia’s Blue Ridge remain accessible to the people and organizations that choose to invest here. We are proud to keep advancing that mission alongside the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission.”
New hangar development, representing a more than $10 million investment, is part of Signature’s 2024 bid to continue serving Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport. Signature’s presence at ROA traces back to Piedmont Aviation in 1957, and the company continues to operate at the airport today as a trusted aviation hospitality and support services provider.
In addition to the new hangar and office project, Signature’s broader ROA investment program includes the rebuilding of its fuel storage facility. In December 2025, Signature also completed installation of a self-serve avgas fuel pump, providing a convenient option for small aircraft owners and pilots who prefer to refuel their own aircraft.
Together, these improvements represent a comprehensive renewal of Signature’s ROA facilities, combining expanded hangar capacity, updated fuel infrastructure, and enhanced service options for a diverse guest and customer base.