South Carolina Airports: Boeing Manufacturing, Myrtle Beach Tourism, and Lowcountry Aviation
South Carolina's aviation system has been transformed in recent years by the arrival of Boeing's major aircraft manufacturing operation, making the Palmetto State one of the most important aerospace production centers in the United States. The state operates approximately 55 public-use airports across its 32,020 square miles, serving a population of approximately 5.3 million residents and tens of millions of annual tourists drawn to Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand, Charleston's historic district, Hilton Head Island's resort communities, and the Blue Ridge foothills of the Upstate region. South Carolina's airports support a diverse economy spanning aerospace manufacturing, military operations, tourism, international trade through the Port of Charleston, and the automotive manufacturing corridor that has attracted BMW, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz Vans to the state. The combination of growing commercial air service, world-class aerospace manufacturing, and strategic military installations makes South Carolina's aviation sector a cornerstone of the state's economic development strategy.
Charleston International Airport (CHS) serves as South Carolina's largest commercial airport by passenger volume, handling approximately 5.5 million passengers annually and sharing its runways and facilities with Charleston Air Force Base. Airlines serving CHS include Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, British Airways (seasonal), Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines, with nonstop service to over 40 destinations including New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Atlanta, Nashville, Boston, Washington-Reagan, and seasonal transatlantic flights to London Heathrow on British Airways. Charleston's remarkable growth as a tourism destination — the city has repeatedly been named the best city in the United States by Travel + Leisure — has driven dramatic passenger increases, while Boeing's adjacent manufacturing facility and the growing Charleston technology sector generate significant business travel demand. The airport's terminal expansion project has added gates and modernized facilities to accommodate the surge in passenger traffic that has more than doubled over the past decade.
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is South Carolina's second-busiest airport, handling approximately 4 million passengers annually and serving the Grand Strand's massive tourism industry. The Myrtle Beach area attracts approximately 20 million visitors per year to its 60 miles of beaches, over 100 golf courses, and entertainment venues along the Grand Strand. Airlines at MYR include Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Porter Airlines, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, and United, with seasonal service heavily weighted toward spring and summer months when dozens of additional flights are added from northern cities. Allegiant Air is a particularly significant carrier at MYR, offering service from small and medium cities across the eastern United States that lack direct flights to most beach destinations. The airport's peak summer schedule can more than double its winter operations as airlines capitalize on the Grand Strand's popularity as a driving and flying vacation destination for families from the mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) serves South Carolina's Upstate region, handling approximately 3 million passengers annually. GSP is the gateway to the state's automotive manufacturing corridor — BMW's largest manufacturing plant in the world is located in nearby Greer, producing X-series SUVs for global export. Airlines at GSP include Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, and United with nonstop service to over 30 destinations including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale. Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) serves the state capital and the University of South Carolina with approximately 700,000 passengers and service from American, Delta, and United to hubs including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington-Dulles. Florence Regional Airport (FLO) and Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) serve their respective communities — Florence as an Essential Air Service point and Hilton Head with American Eagle service to Charlotte and Dallas, plus seasonal United service connecting the luxury resort island to its affluent visitor base.
Boeing, Military Aviation, and Aerospace Manufacturing
Boeing South Carolina's manufacturing campus adjacent to Charleston International Airport represents one of the most significant aerospace investments in American history. The facility produces the aft fuselage sections and final assembly of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, making South Carolina one of only two locations in the world — alongside Everett, Washington — where the widebody jet is assembled. The operation employs approximately 6,000 workers and has generated a vast supply chain of aerospace component manufacturers throughout the Lowcountry. Charleston Air Force Base, which shares runways with the commercial airport, is home to the 437th Airlift Wing and 315th Airlift Wing (Reserve) operating C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft. The combined active-duty and reserve C-17 fleet at Charleston makes it one of the busiest military airlift facilities in the nation. Shaw Air Force Base near Sumter hosts the 20th Fighter Wing, the largest F-16 Fighting Falcon wing in the Air Force, along with the headquarters of U.S. Army Central (Third Army). McEntire Joint National Guard Base near Columbia supports the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing operating F-16 Block 52 fighters. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in the Lowcountry operates F-35B Lightning II and F/A-18 Hornet fighters, with the Marine Corps transitioning its Beaufort-based squadrons to the fifth-generation stealth fighter. Beaufort's proximity to military operating areas over the Atlantic Ocean makes it ideal for fighter pilot training and weapons systems qualification.
Tourism Aviation and General Aviation Infrastructure
South Carolina's tourism industry, which generates over $25 billion in annual economic impact, drives enormous demand for air travel across the state's airport network. Beyond the primary leisure gateways of Charleston and Myrtle Beach, the state's general aviation airports serve resort communities, golf destinations, and coastal retreats. Hilton Head Island Airport handles a mix of commercial American Eagle and United flights along with substantial private jet operations serving the island's upscale communities including Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, and Shelter Cove. Georgetown County Airport near Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach supports private aviation for the Waccamaw Neck resort communities. Aiken Municipal Airport serves the equestrian community in the western part of the state, handling horse industry-related travel for owners, trainers, and competitors during Aiken's polo and thoroughbred seasons. The state's general aviation infrastructure also supports the many plantation-style hunting retreats in the ACE Basin and Lowcountry region, where visiting sportsmen and corporate retreat groups often arrive by private aircraft.
South Carolina's aviation economy has been fundamentally reshaped by the convergence of aerospace manufacturing, military operations, and tourism growth that has occurred over the past two decades. The Aviation Association of South Carolina promotes industry development and advocates for airport investment, while technical colleges including Trident Technical College in Charleston and Greenville Technical College offer aviation maintenance training programs that supply workers to Boeing, HAECO, and the broader aerospace supply chain. The Charleston region alone has seen aviation-related employment grow by thousands of positions since Boeing's arrival, with ripple effects throughout the Lowcountry economy in housing, retail, and professional services. South Carolina's favorable tax climate, right-to-work status, and quality of life advantages have made it a magnet for aerospace investment, and state officials actively recruit additional aviation and aerospace companies to build on the foundation established by Boeing's 787 Dreamliner operations. The state's combination of growing commercial airports, world-class aerospace manufacturing, strategic military installations, and tourism-driven seasonal demand creates an aviation sector that contributes billions of dollars annually to the Palmetto State's increasingly diversified economy.
Airports by Counties
Airports by Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — South Carolina Airports
Charleston International Airport (CHS) handles approximately 5.5 million passengers annually with service from 12 airlines: Alaska, Allegiant, American, Breeze, British Airways (seasonal), Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, and United. Nonstop destinations number over 40 and include New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Atlanta, Nashville, Boston, Washington-Reagan, and seasonal London Heathrow service on British Airways. Charleston's explosive growth as a tourism destination — repeatedly named America's best city — combined with Boeing's adjacent 787 Dreamliner manufacturing facility and a growing tech sector have more than doubled CHS passenger volumes in the past decade. The airport is currently expanding its terminal to accommodate continued growth in both leisure and business travel to the Lowcountry.
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) experiences dramatic seasonal fluctuations, with peak summer operations more than doubling winter schedules. The airport handles approximately 4 million passengers annually, driven by the Grand Strand's approximately 20 million annual visitors who come for 60 miles of beaches, over 100 golf courses, and extensive entertainment venues. During spring and summer, airlines including Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Porter, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, and United add dozens of seasonal routes from northern cities. Allegiant Air is particularly significant at MYR, connecting small and medium cities across the eastern U.S. that lack direct flights to most beach destinations. The seasonal surge creates capacity challenges that the airport addresses through flexible gate assignments and expanded ground operations during peak months from May through September.
Boeing South Carolina operates a major manufacturing campus adjacent to Charleston International Airport that produces aft fuselage sections and performs final assembly of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner widebody jet. Charleston is one of only two locations in the world — alongside Everett, Washington — where the 787 is assembled, making South Carolina critical to global commercial aviation manufacturing. The operation employs approximately 6,000 workers and has generated an extensive supply chain of aerospace component manufacturers throughout the Lowcountry region. Completed 787 Dreamliners regularly perform test flights from Charleston's runways before delivery to airlines worldwide. Boeing's investment represents billions of dollars and has transformed South Carolina into a top-tier aerospace manufacturing state, attracting additional aviation suppliers and engineering firms to the Charleston area and positioning the state as a competitor to traditional aerospace centers in Washington State, Texas, and Kansas.
South Carolina hosts several major military aviation installations. Charleston Air Force Base shares runways with the commercial airport and hosts the 437th and 315th (Reserve) Airlift Wings operating C-17 Globemaster III strategic transports, making it one of the busiest military airlift facilities nationwide. Shaw Air Force Base near Sumter is home to the 20th Fighter Wing — the largest F-16 Fighting Falcon wing in the Air Force — and the headquarters of U.S. Army Central. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort operates F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters and F/A-18 Hornets, with squadrons transitioning to the fifth-generation aircraft. McEntire Joint National Guard Base near Columbia supports the 169th Fighter Wing flying F-16 Block 52 fighters. These installations collectively employ thousands of military and civilian personnel and generate billions in economic impact across South Carolina.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) handles approximately 3 million passengers annually with service from Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, and United. Nonstop destinations number over 30 and include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, New York-Newark, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Washington-Reagan. GSP's growth reflects the Upstate region's manufacturing boom — BMW's largest production facility worldwide in nearby Greer produces X-series SUVs, while Michelin North America is headquartered in Greenville and numerous automotive suppliers have established operations along the I-85 corridor. The airport has invested in terminal improvements and attracted new carriers to keep pace with the region's population and economic growth, which has made Greenville one of the most dynamic small metro areas in the Southeast.
Yes, Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) offers commercial service directly to the luxury resort island. American Eagle provides year-round flights to Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth, while United offers seasonal service connecting the island to its hub network. The airport handles a mix of commercial and general aviation traffic, with significant private jet operations serving the island's affluent visitor and resident communities. Hilton Head's golf resorts, including Harbour Town Golf Links home to the RBC Heritage PGA Tour event, and its upscale beach and tennis communities generate strong seasonal demand. Travelers seeking more flight options can also use Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) across the Georgia border, which is approximately 45 minutes from Hilton Head and offers a much larger selection of airlines and nonstop destinations including service from Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, and United.
South Carolina's aviation ecosystem has been fundamentally transformed by Boeing's 787 Dreamliner manufacturing operation, which elevated the Palmetto State into the top tier of American aerospace production. Combined with a booming tourism industry centered on Charleston and Myrtle Beach, a growing automotive manufacturing corridor in the Upstate anchored by BMW, and one of the most significant military aviation presences in the southeastern United States, South Carolina's airports serve purposes that extend far beyond routine passenger transportation. Charleston International Airport's dual role as a commercial gateway and military airlift hub exemplifies the state's integrated approach to aviation infrastructure, while Myrtle Beach's seasonal dynamics and Greenville-Spartanburg's manufacturing-driven growth demonstrate the diverse economic forces shaping South Carolina's air transportation needs. As the state's population continues to grow — driven by domestic migration from higher-cost northeastern states — continued airport investment will be critical to maintaining the connectivity that sustains South Carolina's economic momentum and quality of life.