Greenville Spartanburg Airport: A Hub Of Nonstop Action

Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), also known as Roger Milliken Field, is a busy airport. It is the third-busiest airport in South Carolina, with over 2.5 million passengers in 2023. The airport has one terminal building with two concourses and can handle up to 250 passengers per hour through immigration and customs checkpoints. GSP offers nonstop flights to 20 destinations and connections to hundreds of destinations worldwide. The airport has a range of amenities, including dining options and an art collection. It also provides a free shuttle service to economy lots and various ground transportation options.

Passenger numbers and growth

Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport, also known as Roger Milliken Field, is located near Greer, South Carolina, United States. The airport serves as a ""gateway" to Upstate South Carolina, providing quick and efficient transportation services to passengers and cargo. With over 2.56 million passengers in 2023, it is the third-busiest airport in South Carolina, after Charleston International Airport and Myrtle Beach International Airport.

The airport has experienced significant growth in passenger numbers over the years. When it opened in 1962, Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, and Southern Airways served Greenville and Spartanburg separately, but only Eastern and Southern moved to the new GSP airport, while Delta discontinued its service. In the 1980s, GSP expanded its terminal and cargo facilities, and the runway was lengthened twice in the 1990s to accommodate growing traffic.

The arrival of low-cost carriers in recent years has further boosted passenger numbers. Allegiant Air began flights to Florida in 2006, and Southwest Airlines started serving five cities in 2011. Southwest's presence, in particular, contributed to an impressive 38% growth in passenger figures between 2010 and 2011, according to local officials. Today, the airport offers nonstop service to over 20 destinations and connections to hundreds of cities worldwide through its seven passenger airlines and their regional affiliates.

To accommodate increasing passenger traffic, Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport embarked on a $102 million terminal improvement program in 2012. This four-year project aimed to modernise the terminal, improve passenger flow, and prepare for future expansion. Future plans include options for expanding the terminal by 300% of its current capacity and potentially adding a second runway parallel to the existing one. The airport's ability to handle up to 250 passengers per hour through immigration and customs checkpoints contributes to its efficient handling of growing passenger numbers.

Accolades and awards

Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport, also known as Roger Milliken Field, is located near Greer, South Carolina, United States. While it is considered a small airport compared to major airports, it has received several accolades and awards recognising its exceptional service and customer experience.

In 2022, the Airports Council International (ACI) named Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport the Best Small Airport in North America as part of their Airport Service Quality Awards. The airport received five awards in total, including Best Airport of 2-5 Million Passengers in North America and Airport with the Most Dedicated Staff in North America. This was the third consecutive year that the airport had received top honours in these awards, with the ACI recognising the airport's ability to provide a "`carefully crafted experience"' for its passengers.

In addition to being named one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina in 2023, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport also received an ANNIE Award from Airline and Airport News & Analysis in 2011 for being the fastest-growing small airport in the United States. The airport's success in attracting low-cost carriers, such as Allegiant Air and Southwest Airlines, has contributed to its impressive growth in passenger figures.

The dedication to providing a memorable and enjoyable experience for travellers has been consistently highlighted in the airport's accolades and awards. With a focus on customer satisfaction and excellence, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport continues to set standards and positively impact the airport industry in North America.

Cargo services

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) has seen significant growth in its cargo operations over the last decade, particularly in the last five years. In 2016, the airport secured a contract with German automaker BMW to handle its air freight for imports and exports, which previously went through an airport in Huntsville, Alabama. This contract contributed to a doubling of the airport's cargo business between 2016 and 2018.

The airport's cargo operations received a further boost during the pandemic when it became the beneficiary of traditionally passenger airplanes being temporarily used for freight, including airlines such as British Airways, Tui, and Condor. This development brought the airport to the attention of carriers and freight forwarders, who expressed interest in starting service to GSP.

In 2021, GSP ranked 21st in the nation for international freight tonnage, handling 96,000 tons of cargo, a 48% increase from 2020. To accommodate this growing demand, the airport expanded its cargo facility by 50,000 square feet, doubling its capacity. This expansion included 111,000 square feet of air cargo facility space and 17 acres of aircraft parking apron, completed in 2019.

The increase in cargo traffic has had a positive economic impact on the community, with air cargo operations generating $5.5 billion in international trade for the Upstate region and a $2.9 billion annual economic impact as of 2018. The airport's revenue also increased by 44% from 2016 to 2018, jumping from $28.4 million to a projected $40.7 million.

GSP's cargo operations are well-positioned to meet the area's continuing growth and shifting demand for travel and cargo patterns. The airport's proximity to BMW's manufacturing plant and access to multiple forms of transportation, including the Inland Port Greer and the Port of Charleston, make it a strategic location for freight services.

Airport facilities

Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), also known as Roger Milliken Field, is located near Greer, South Carolina, United States. The airport is mostly in Spartanburg County, with a portion in Greenville County. It is an unincorporated area adjacent to sections of Greer. GSP is the third-busiest airport in South Carolina, serving over 2.56 million passengers in 2023.

Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport has one terminal building with two concourses: Concourse A (gates A1–A9) and Concourse B (gates B1–B4). The check-in level is the same for all passengers. The airport can handle up to 250 passengers per hour through immigration and customs checkpoints. In 2012, GSP embarked on a four-year, $102 million terminal improvement program to modernise the terminal, improve passenger flow, and prepare for future expansion. Plans for further development include the possibility of expanding the terminal by 300% of its current capacity and adding a second runway parallel to the existing one.

Concourse A is used by American, Southwest, Silver Airways, Avelo Airlines, and United. Allegiant Air and Delta use Concourse B. GSP offers nonstop service by seven airlines to over 20 destinations and connections to hundreds of destinations worldwide. The airport has been recognised for its dedication to safety, commitment to customer service, and award-winning amenities.

GSP has an extensive art collection and was the first airport in the US to offer an Airside Garden. It also features an Escape Lounge by Manchester Airports Group and fine dining options like The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck restaurant. Additionally, FedEx has a major package facility on the north end of the airport, and BMW has a facility nearby, facilitating the easy transfer of parts to its manufacturing plant.

Ground transportation

Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is located between Greenville and Spartanburg in South Carolina, serving as a key gateway to the Upstate region. The airport is served by several major airlines and offers direct flights to major centres in the US, including Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York, Chicago, and Orlando.

The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport offers a range of ground transportation options for travellers. The airport is easily accessible by car, and parking is available for those who need it.

For those who do not have their own vehicle, there are several alternative transportation options available. Eastside Transportation, the official ground transportation provider for the airport, offers a variety of services, including minivan economy service, executive sedans and SUVs, executive van service, shuttle bus service, and limousine coach service. They serve the Upstate of South Carolina, as well as Charlotte, Atlanta, Columbia, Asheville, and the surrounding areas. Their late-model vehicles, including Lincoln and Cadillac sedans and Ford transit vans, can accommodate a range of group sizes and travel needs.

Additionally, the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites hotel in Greenville, South Carolina, located just three miles from the airport, provides free airport transportation for its guests. This option may be convenient for those staying at the hotel before or after their trip.

The airport's website also suggests that travellers can utilize ride-sharing services or rental car services upon arrival, although specific details on these options are not provided.

Overall, Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport aims to provide a range of ground transportation options to cater to different traveller needs, whether they are seeking economy or luxury transportation, or accommodation-provided transportation services.

Frequently asked questions