Spartanburg, Sc: Airport Or No?

Yes, Spartanburg, South Carolina, is served by the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). The airport is midway between Greenville and Spartanburg, the major cities of the Upstate region of South Carolina. It is the third-busiest airport in the state, serving over 2.5 million passengers in 2023. The airport has one runway and one terminal building with two concourses. GSP is served by seven airlines, including American, Southwest, and United, and offers nonstop service to over 20 destinations. In addition, Spartanburg also has the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport, the City's largest-owned asset, which serves over 100 local aircraft and 5,000 general aviation airports throughout the U.S.

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)

GSP opened on 15 October 1962, replacing the Greenville Downtown Airport as the primary airline destination in the region. Initially, only Eastern Air Lines and Southern Airways moved to the new airport, while Delta Air Lines, which had served both Greenville and Spartanburg previously, discontinued its service. GSP has since undergone several expansions and improvements, including terminal and cargo facility expansions in the 1980s and runway lengthening in the 1990s. In 2012, the airport embarked on a four-year, $102 million terminal improvement programme to modernise the terminal, improve passenger flow, and prepare for future expansion.

The airport is served by seven airlines and their regional affiliates, including Avelo Airlines, which expanded its footprint at GSP by adding a new route to Wilmington Airport (ILG) in June 2023. GSP offers nonstop flights to 20 destinations and connects to over 200 cities through one-stop flights. In 2016, the airport and Senator International of Germany launched the airport's first scheduled international route, a twice-weekly cargo service to Munich and Frankfurt–Hahn Airport in Germany.

GSP has received several awards and recognitions, including the 2011 ANNIE Award from Airline and Airport News & Analysis for being the fastest-growing small airport in the United States. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Travel Statistics reported a 14% decrease in average fares from GSP, the largest decrease in the country. Additionally, GSP was recognised by Airports Council International with five 2022 Airport Service Quality awards, and the airport's CEO, David N. Edwards, Jr., received the Distinguished Service Award by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) for his exemplary career and contributions to the airport industry.

GSP's history and development

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is located near Greer, South Carolina, between Greenville and Spartanburg, the major cities of the Upstate region of South Carolina. Before the construction of GSP, Greenville and Spartanburg had their own airports and competed for airline service.

In the mid-1950s, Roger Milliken, a textile heir, industrialist, and businessman, worked with other Upstate business leaders to propose a shared airport for the two cities. They determined that a local community called Flatwood, with long stretches of flat land between Greenville and Spartanburg, was an ideal site for a regional airport. The proposal was presented to the legislative delegation for the two counties in 1958, and construction began in 1961.

GSP opened on October 15, 1962, with the arrival of Eastern Airlines flight 580 at 7:33 a.m. It replaced the Greenville Downtown Airport as the primary airline destination in the region. GSP was the first modern airport built from scratch and offered technological advancements, including being the first airport to install lights in the runway pavement.

Over the years, GSP has undergone several expansions and improvements. In the 1980s, the airport expanded its terminal and cargo facilities, and the runway was lengthened twice in the 1990s. In 2004, the airfield was named for Milliken, recognising his contributions to the airport's development. GSP has continued to receive awards and recognition for its service quality and innovation, including being named one of the 2023 Best Places to Work in South Carolina.

Today, GSP is served by seven airlines and their regional affiliates, offering nonstop flights to 20 destinations and connections to over 200 cities worldwide. The airport covers 3,500 acres and has one runway and one terminal building with two concourses. GSP continues to be one of the most innovative airports in the nation, with ongoing projects to improve traffic flow and the passenger experience.

Airlines and destinations

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), also known as Roger Milliken Field, is located near Greer, South Carolina, midway between Greenville and Spartanburg. The airport is served by seven airlines and offers nonstop flights to 20 destinations, including New York's LaGuardia Airport, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa/St. Petersburg, and Washington D.C. (DCA). In addition, passengers can reach over 200 cities worldwide with just one stop.

Concourse A of the airport is used by American, Southwest, Silver Airways, Avelo Airlines, and United. American Airlines, for instance, offers nonstop services to New York's LaGuardia Airport. Meanwhile, Concourse B is used by Allegiant Air and Delta. Avelo Airlines has expanded its footprint at GSP by adding a new route from Delaware's Wilmington Airport to GSP in June 2023.

In addition to passenger services, GSP also handles cargo operations. FedEx has a major package facility on the airport's north end, and BMW has a facility that supports the easy transfer of arriving parts to its manufacturing plant, located just three miles east of the airport. In 2016, GSP and Senator International of Germany launched a twice-weekly cargo service to Munich and Frankfurt–Hahn Airport, marking the airport's first scheduled international route.

The Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District has implemented various initiatives to enhance the airport experience, such as the Terminal Roadway Improvement Project (TRIP) and the appointment of senior officials like Kirk Eickhoff as SVP and Chief Financial Officer. These efforts contribute to GSP's recognition as one of the 2023 Best Places to Work in South Carolina.

Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport

Spartanburg, South Carolina, is served by the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport, which is the city's largest owned asset. The airport is located in the southwest section of the city off Ammons Road. It is staffed by eight full-time employees and one part-time employee and serves over 100 local aircraft and 5,000 general aviation airports across the United States. The airport also caters to corporate jets representing Spartanburg's largest companies.

The Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport is the third busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina, recording almost 69,000 operations annually. It contributes $15.4 million to the local economy. The airport once had three intersecting runways, but now only runway 4/22, redesignated as runway 5/23, remains. A $25 million extension of this runway began in 2016 and was completed two years later, lengthening it to 5,852 feet and adding safety areas at both ends. The project also included resurfacing the runway and upgrading the airport's navigation and lighting systems.

The Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport provides oversight to limited fixed-based operators engaged in flight instruction, aircraft rental, sales, and aircraft charter. An instrument landing system (ILS) is available for use on runway 5, which also features high-intensity runway edge lighting (HIRL), visual approach slope indicator lights (VASI), and a medium-intensity approach lighting system (MALSR). Other navigational aids include the Spartanburg Vortac (7.2 miles northeast) and the Fairmont Non-directional beacon (1.6 miles west).

In addition to its aviation facilities, the airport features an aviation-themed playground for children, complete with a viewing platform and a pavilion with restrooms.

GSP's amenities and awards

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in South Carolina offers a range of amenities and has received several awards and recognition for its services.

Amenities

GSP offers a variety of dining options, including QDOBA Mexican Eats, which serves burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, salads, quesadillas, and nachos with fresh, in-house prepared ingredients. The airport also provides a convenient workspace for travellers, equipped with the necessary technology. Additionally, GSP offers a range of travel essentials and unique experiences, as well as personal protection equipment and health supplies for a safe and healthy flight.

GSP provides secure and convenient parking options, allowing travellers to reserve their parking spots in advance to save time and hassle. The airport also offers non-stop flights to 20 destinations and connects to over 200 cities through one-stop flights, providing travellers with a range of travel options.

Awards and Recognition

GSP has received numerous awards and recognition for its exceptional services. In 2024, it was recognized as the "Best Small Airport in North America by Customers", an award based on direct feedback from travellers. The airport received five awards in total through the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program, including "Best Airport of 2-5 Million Passengers in North America" and "Airport with the Most Dedicated Staff in North America". The ASQ program is the world's leading airport customer experience measurement and benchmarking program, making this recognition even more significant.

In addition to the ASQ awards, GSP was recognized by Airports Council International with five 2022 Airport Service Quality awards, highlighting the world's best airports as judged by their customers. The airport's President and CEO, David N. Edwards, Jr., was also honoured with the Distinguished Service Award by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) for his exemplary career and contributions to the airport industry.

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