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4 min read

Why a BBJ Operator Left Dulles for Washington-Manassas Airport

Picture of Chantilly Air Chantilly Air : November 3, 2026

FBO Jet Center Award Winning FBO
Why Choose Washington-Manassas Airport Over Dulles for a BBJ?
8:56

A private corporate flight department brings its Boeing Business Jet into the Washington, D.C. area every month. For years, Washington Dulles International looked like the only practical option for an aircraft that size.

Here is why the crew moved the operation to Washington-Manassas Airport (KHEF) and Chantilly Air Jet Center, and what the numbers look like since.

 

At a Glance
Operator Private corporate flight department (identified by initials at the customer's request)
Aircraft Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), a Boeing 737 airframe
Mission Regular trips into the Washington, D.C. area, roughly monthly
Time on the ground Several days per visit, usually up to four; passenger counts vary by trip
Previous airport Washington Dulles International
Chantilly Air customer since 2025, approximately 15 trips in the past year

 

The Challenge

Dulles was getting harder and more expensive every visit

What the crew was dealing with before the move.

Securing handling and parking for a Boeing Business Jet at Washington Dulles International had become unreliable during busy periods, and the cost of every visit kept climbing. With Dulles often appearing to be the only practical option for a large business jet, the crew contended with the same problems on trip after trip:

  • Ramp congestion during busy periods

  • Wait times for handling and services

  • Rising fees on every visit

  • Inconsistent service

  • Difficulty securing international handling in a timely manner

There was no single incident that forced the decision. It was all of the above, continuously.

 

The Decision

Why Washington-Manassas Airport over Dulles for a BBJ

Four factors made Manassas the obvious choice.

For this operation, Washington-Manassas Airport was the next-closest airport to Washington, D.C. after Dulles, the captain already knew the field, and one call to our team confirmed the aircraft could be accommodated.

  • Proximity: After Dulles, Washington-Manassas Airport is the next-closest option to Washington, D.C. for this operation

  • Familiarity: The captain learned to fly at Manassas in the late 1990s and remembered seeing business jets operating in and out

  • Runway: The 6,200-foot runway at KHEF handles the aircraft

  • Service: Our team confirmed ramp space, fuel, handling, and customs coordination were all available for a Boeing 737

When the flight department began exploring alternatives to Dulles, Manassas quickly became the obvious choice.

 

The Solution

How Chantilly Air handles a BBJ at Washington-Manassas Airport

From a first arrival that turned heads to a routine that never varies.

We planned ample ramp space for the first arrival, then made every visit since as routine as any other turn on our ramp.

The first arrival

The first trip was domestic, so no customs coordination was required. General Manager Josh Roy, Line Service Manager Tony Thomas, and Customer Service Manager Hayden Tarver coordinated the turn. The arrival itself became a story the crew still tells: on the approach, Potomac Approach controllers confirmed with the crew several times that Manassas was indeed the intended destination.

"One controller even remarked that they had never before seen a Boeing 737 operating into Manassas."

- A.S., Captain

Every visit since

On a typical visit, the aircraft receives fuel, ground handling, lavatory service, and de-icing when conditions call for it. Ramp parking for up to four days is planned in advance for every trip, since an aircraft of this size is parked on the ramp rather than hangared. For international arrivals, U.S. Customs and Border Protection clears the aircraft on site with 24 hours' advance notice, a process the crew describes as very smooth.

 

The Results

After roughly 15 trips, the numbers speak for themselves

Cost, reliability, and ground time, side by side.

Cost per visit, handling before fuel

Washington Dulles

$7,029

Chantilly Air

$3,110

Roughly 56% less, under half the cost

Reliability and ground time

  • Reliability: Approximately 15 trips in the past year. We have never turned the aircraft away or been unable to accommodate it.

  • Ground time: From touchdown, the BBJ is parked in under four minutes, with vehicles pulled planeside so passengers step from the aircraft directly into the car.

 

In the Operator's Words

"The finest FBO we use anywhere in the world"

"Our flight crews now consistently rate Chantilly Air as the finest FBO we use anywhere in the world.

With Dulles often appearing to be the only practical option for large business jets, we were finding it increasingly difficult to secure handling services and parking during busy periods. When we began exploring alternatives, Manassas quickly became the obvious choice.

Today, Chantilly Air Jet Center at Manassas has become our preferred destination for BBJ operations in the Washington area. With the drive from downtown DC taking only about 15 minutes longer than Dulles, the availability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection services with advance notice, and the consistently outstanding service provided by your team, we believe Manassas is a far superior option for our operation.

It is rare to find an FBO that consistently exceeds expectations, yet your team does so every time."

A.S., Captain, Boeing Business Jet operator

 

Bring your large-cabin aircraft to Washington-Manassas Airport

When a flight crew that operates worldwide calls Chantilly Air Jet Center the finest FBO they use anywhere, it is because every visit runs the same way: prepared, unhurried, and precisely as planned. Your crew will notice the difference on the first arrival. Your passengers will notice it before they reach the car.

Reserve your next Washington turn with us.

Reserve with Chantilly Air - CTA.

 

Frequently asked questions about operations at Washington-Manassas Airport

 

Can Washington-Manassas Airport handle a BBJ?

Yes. Washington-Manassas Airport (KHEF) has a 6,200-foot runway, and Chantilly Air Jet Center provides ramp parking for large-cabin aircraft, including a Boeing Business Jet parked for up to four days at a time.

 

Does an international BBJ arrival need to clear customs at Dulles before landing at Washington-Manassas Airport?

No. U.S. Customs and Border Protection clears international arrivals on site at Washington-Manassas Airport with 24 hours' advance notice, arranged through Chantilly Air Jet Center.

 

Can a Boeing Business Jet be hangared at Chantilly Air?

No. A Boeing 737-size aircraft is parked on the ramp, with space planned in advance of each arrival. Chantilly Air offers hangar space for aircraft that fit the hangar and takes reservations on the Hangar Space page.

 

Which FBO at Washington-Manassas Airport handles large-cabin aircraft?

Chantilly Air Jet Center handles large-cabin aircraft at Washington-Manassas Airport, including the Boeing Business Jet, with fuel, ground handling, lavatory service, de-icing, ramp parking, and customs coordination.