The Richmond International Airport in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners will host the airport’s triennial Full-Scale Emergency Plan Exercise designed to test RIC’s ability to respond to a large-scale aircraft incident.  The Federal Aviation Administration requires each holder of a Class I Airport Operating Certificate to hold a full-scale airport emergency plan exercise at least once every 36 calendar months.

The exercise simulates an aircraft accident on airport property with a full response from RIC Airport Public Safety personnel, mutual aid partners, and other stakeholders who may have an interest in practicing their own emergency plans and contingencies.  Planning for AIREX ’25 began a year ago with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management providing the framework and overall coordination effort.

Major exercise activities will begin shortly after 08:00 am.  This is a “rain or shine” event.  In addition to the airfield portion of the exercise, a separate “friends & family” exercise will be run concurrently in the Main Terminal Building.  The object of this exercise is to stand up a Family Reception Center (FRC) in the Terminal to support the impacted air carrier and loved ones of those involved in an aviation disaster.

Badged RIC personnel (with “N”on-Movement driver endorsement) looking to observe the exercise may drive AOA approved equipment to the exercise site located at the Airport Maintenance Facility.  For those needing transportation, a Special Event shuttle will run continuously from the upper level of the Terminal Building starting at 07:15.