RIC goes to bat for Lego, continues push for European flights

Richmond International Airport’s push for European connectivity is unfolding alongside a major cargo expansion as the airport’s governing body advances Lego’s plan for a Foreign-Trade Zone designation. On Tuesday, the Capital Region Airport Commission (CRAC) approved an application to classify Lego’s under-construction distribution center in Prince George as an FTZ, subject to review by the FTZ Board and then authorization by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Prince George site, broken ground last fall, is expected to cover about 2 million square feet and begin operations in 2027, aligning with the opening timeline of a planned Chesterfield facility. If approved, Lego would pay the commission $12,000 annually with no expiration date. In parallel, RIC reported a 1.8% May passenger decline versus May 2025, citing higher fuel costs from geopolitical tensions and the early-May Spirit Airlines shutdown, which represented 3.5% of 2026 traffic. RIC seeks a direct Europe route but cannot subsidize flights, requiring local and private fundraising.