Charleston, Sc: Airport Accessibility And Convenience

Charleston, South Carolina, is conveniently served by Charleston International Airport, located in North Charleston. The airport is approximately 12 miles from downtown Charleston and is accessible by taxi, rideshare, shuttle, rental car, and public transit. It is South Carolina's busiest airport, serving over 6.1 million passengers in 2023. Charleston International Airport offers direct flights to and from 30 cities, mostly along the East Coast and in the Upper Midwest and Texas.

Charleston International Airport

The history of the airport dates back to 1928 when the Charleston Airport Corporation was founded and purchased 700 acres of land. While it was initially privately developed, the City of Charleston acquired a portion of the site for passenger service in 1931. By the end of the decade, three runways were paved and equipped with lighting for nighttime operations. During World War II, control of the airfield was transferred to the United States Army, but civilian service was still allowed to operate. After the war, the airfield reverted to civilian use until the Korean War, when it was reactivated for military purposes.

In 1952, an agreement between the City of Charleston and the United States Air Force was reached regarding control of the base and runways, which has been renegotiated over time. In 1979, the civilian portions of the airport were transferred to the Charleston County Aviation Authority. The current terminal on the south end was built in the 1980s, and in 2009, Boeing announced it would build a major plant at the airport for its 787 Dreamliner assembly.

The airport has undergone significant growth since 2010, with doubled passenger figures due to new and expanded services from various airlines. In 2021, Breeze Airways announced that the airport would be a focus city for the airline, serving 11 cities. Additionally, the airport has seen brief periods of international service, including flights to Toronto and London's Heathrow Airport.

Transport to and from the airport

Charleston International Airport (IATA: CHS, ICAO: KCHS, FAA LID: CHS) is located in North Charleston, South Carolina, approximately 12 to 16 miles from downtown Charleston. The airport is accessible via Interstate 26 and Interstate 526, and offers various transportation options for travellers to and from the airport.

Bus

The regional mass transit system, CARTA, operates a bus service (Route 11) that connects the airport to downtown Charleston. The bus ride usually takes around 50-55 minutes and costs $2 per ride, with children under 6 travelling for free. The bus operates 7 days a week, with more frequent departures during weekdays. There is also an express bus route (XP4) available, which provides a more direct service to downtown Charleston in approximately 25-30 minutes.

Shuttle

Shuttle services are available for a more prompt and convenient transfer to and from the airport. The shuttles depart within 15 minutes of purchasing a ticket, which costs $15 per passenger. They can be found outside the baggage claim area and offer a shared ride service, making multiple stops depending on the number of passengers.

Taxi and Rideshare

Taxis can be found outside the baggage claim area with a minimum charge of $15 for all taxi services leaving the airport. The rates are metered at $2.52 per mile, with the average fare to downtown Charleston ranging from $30 to $40. Rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft are also available, offering a similar service at a slightly lower rate of about $20-$25 per ride.

Private Transfers

For a more luxurious and personalised experience, private transfer services can be arranged. These services typically range from $50 to $70 and include luggage handling and car seats for young children. Private transfers usually take around 15-25 minutes to reach the city centre, providing a direct and efficient travel option.

Hotel Shuttles

Several hotels in Charleston offer complimentary shuttle services for their guests. This can be a convenient and cost-effective option, providing a direct transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Charleston Executive Airport

The airport covers 1,373 acres of land at an elevation of 19 feet. It features two concrete runways: 9/27, which is 5,350 feet by 150 feet, and 4/22, which is 4,313 feet by 150 feet. In the year ending December 11, 2019, the airport recorded 31,000 aircraft operations, averaging 85 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (84%), with smaller proportions being military (9.5%) and air taxi (6.5%). At that time, 39 aircraft were based at the airport, with 90% being single-engine, 5% multi-engine, and the remaining 5% jet aircraft.

Myrtle Beach International Airport

Charleston, South Carolina is served by Charleston International Airport (CHS), located 12-16 miles from the city centre. However, if you're interested in learning about another airport in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is located 94 miles from Charleston and is a great gateway to the world for tourists, adventurers, and business travellers.

Location and Access

Facilities and Services

The airport offers a variety of dining, shopping, and activity options for travellers. It is known for its ease of navigation and friendly staff, making it a comfortable and efficient travel experience. The airport has a valet parking service, and passengers are advised to arrive 2 hours before their scheduled boarding time to account for security checks.

Airlines and Destinations

With over 50 nonstop destinations and 8-10 airline partners, Myrtle Beach International Airport provides convenient travel options. Some of the destinations served include Akron-Canton, OH, Charleston, WV, Hartford, CT, Providence, RI, Tampa, FL, and Westchester County, NY. The airport has a helipad primarily used by charter tour companies.

History and Future Plans

The airport has undergone various renovations and upgrades over the years, including a $4.5 million passenger facilities charge approved by the FAA in 2010 to fund terminal upgrades. In 2021, the airport announced a 20-year plan to double the number of gates and enhance parking, international flights, and cargo distribution. While no immediate expansions are planned, the airport received funding through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to begin construction on new gates, fuel storage, security checkpoints, and expanded restaurant and retail spaces in early 2024.

Airport history

Charleston, South Carolina, has two airports: Charleston International Airport and Charleston Executive Airport. Here is a history of both airports.

Charleston International Airport

Charleston International Airport (IATA: CHS, ICAO: KCHS, FAA LID: CHS) is located in North Charleston, approximately 12 miles (19 km) northwest of downtown Charleston. The airport is jointly operated by the Charleston County Aviation Authority and Joint Base Charleston.

The history of this airport dates back to 1928 when the Charleston Airport Corporation purchased 700 acres (280 ha) of land from a mining company. By 1938, three runways were paved and equipped with lighting for nighttime operations. During World War II, the airfield was controlled by the United States Army, but it reverted to civilian use after the war. A new passenger terminal was built in 1949.

During the Korean War, the airfield was reactivated for military purposes. In 1952, the City of Charleston and the United States Air Force reached an ongoing agreement regarding control of the base and runways. In 1979, the civilian portions of the airport were transferred to the Charleston County Aviation Authority. The current terminal was built in the 1980s on land acquired from Georgia Pacific.

In 2009, Boeing announced plans to build a major plant at the airport for its 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The airport's passenger numbers have doubled since 2010, and in 2021, Breeze Airways announced that the airport would be a focus city. In 2022, a 20-year master plan was announced for the airport's future growth, including the construction of an additional concourse and up to 11 new gates.

Charleston Executive Airport

Charleston Executive Airport (ICAO: KJZI, FAA LID: JZI) is located in Charleston County, about seven miles southwest of Charleston. It is owned and operated by the Charleston County Aviation Authority and serves the general aviation community, with no airline service.

The airport opened in April 1943 as Johns Island Army Airfield, serving as an auxiliary emergency landing field for Columbia Army Air Base. Jurisdiction was transferred to Charleston Army Airfield in 1944, and it served as an emergency landing base for transatlantic flights. In August 1945, the airfield was turned over to local authorities, who converted it into a civil airport.

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