Roberta Aguirre
South Carolina is a U.S. state that is home to several airports, including publicly owned and military airports. The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is one of the primary airports in South Carolina, offering seamless travel with nonstop flights, convenient parking, and world-class amenities. Another notable airport is the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), which serves the capital city of South Carolina and has seen significant passenger traffic, surpassing pre-pandemic records. These airports cater to both domestic and international travel, providing essential aviation infrastructure for the state.
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What You'll Learn
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
The 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. In 2012, the airport began a four-year, $102 million terminal improvement programme to modernise the terminal, improve passenger flow, and prepare for future expansion. Future plans include the possibility of expanding the terminal to 300% of its current capacity and adding a second runway parallel to the existing one.
GSP airport offers nonstop flights to over 20 destinations and one-stop flights to more than 200 cities worldwide. The airport is served by seven passenger airlines and their regional affiliates, including American, Southwest, Silver Airways, Avelo Airlines, United, Allegiant Air, and Delta. In 2011, Southwest Airlines began service to five cities, contributing to a significant growth in passenger figures. In recent years, the arrival of low-cost carriers has reduced fares and made air travel more accessible from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.
In July 2016, GSP airport announced its first scheduled international route, a twice-weekly cargo service to Munich and Frankfurt–Hahn Airport in Germany, operated by Senator International and Air Atlanta Icelandic. This service commenced in November 2016, marking a significant development for the airport's international connectivity. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport has received top honours in the Airport Council International's Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards, recognising its excellence in service and facilities.
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Columbia Metropolitan Airport
The airport was built in 1940 as Lexington County Airport. In 1941, the airport came under formal military control and was turned into a military airfield. After World War II, most frontline passenger service relocated to the Lexington County Airport, which was renamed Columbia Metropolitan Airport in 1947. The city of Columbia built a new terminal at the airport in the early 1950s.
The airport serves about 1 million passengers annually, though this number was closer to 1.5 million before the Great Recession. In 2024, the airport saw 1,362,374 passengers, edging out the previous record of 1,353,788 passengers in 2019. More than 1,400 people are employed at the airport.
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Publicly-owned airports
South Carolina has a range of publicly-owned airports that cater to scheduled passenger services. These airports are classified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) based on their passenger capacity and function.
The first category includes primary airports, which are publicly-owned airports that have more than 10,000 passenger boardings annually and receive scheduled passenger services. These are further classified into four "hub" types: Large, Medium, Small, and Non-hub. Large hubs account for at least 1% of total US passenger boardings, while Medium hubs account for between 0.25% and 1%. Small hubs represent between 0.05% and 0.25% of total boardings, and Non-hubs, while representing less than 0.05% of total boardings, still manage more than 10,000 annual passenger boardings.
The second category is Commercial service-nonprimary airports, which are also publicly-owned and offer scheduled passenger services. These airports have a minimum of 2,500 passenger boardings each year. The final category is reliever airports, designated by the FAA to reduce congestion at large commercial airports and improve general aviation access for the community.
One example of a publicly-owned airport in South Carolina is the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). This airport recently achieved a new record in passenger traffic, serving 1,362,374 passengers in 2024, surpassing its previous record set in 2019.
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Private-use airports
South Carolina has a range of airports catering to both public and private aviation needs. While most airports in the state are public-use, there are a number of notable private-use airports. These private airports are often smaller and located outside the major cities, but they still play an important role in the state's aviation network.
One example of a private-use airport in South Carolina is the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). This airport is unique in that it serves as a gateway to the state capital, Columbia, and offers individuals the convenience of using their South Carolina-issued driver's license for identification during travel. Beginning in May 2025, however, travellers using a South Carolina driver's license at CAE will need a gold star indicating REAL ID compliance to clear security. This airport also prioritises accessible travel, providing an online platform with barrier-free content and information for passengers.
Another private-use airport is the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). This airport is known for its seamless travel experience, offering nonstop flights, convenient parking, and world-class amenities. GSP is located in the Upstate region of South Carolina, serving the cities of Greenville and Spartanburg. Its convenient location makes it a preferred choice for travellers heading to destinations in the northwestern part of the state.
While the focus is on private-use airports, it is worth mentioning that South Carolina is also home to several public-use airports. These airports are typically larger and accommodate a higher volume of passenger traffic. An example of a public airport is the Charleston International Airport (CHS), which offers domestic and international flights to various destinations.
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Commercial service airports
South Carolina is a U.S. state that is served by several commercial-service airports. These are publicly owned airports that offer scheduled passenger services. Commercial service airports are further classified into primary and non-primary airports. Primary airports have more than 10,000 passenger boardings each year, while non-primary airports have a minimum of 2,500 passenger boardings annually.
One of the primary commercial service airports in South Carolina is the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). This airport offers seamless travel with nonstop flights, convenient parking, and world-class amenities. Another primary airport in the state is the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). This airport is located in the capital city of South Carolina and serves a significant number of passengers each year. In 2024, CAE recorded 1,362,374 passengers, surpassing its previous record from 2019.
In addition to the primary airports, South Carolina also has commercial service–nonprimary airports. These airports have fewer passenger boardings but still provide scheduled passenger services to the public. The specific classification of an airport as a small, medium, or large hub is determined by its percentage of total U.S. passenger enplanements.
Reliever airports are another type of commercial service airport designated to relieve congestion at large airports and provide general aviation access to the community. These airports play a crucial role in managing air traffic and ensuring efficient travel in South Carolina. Overall, the commercial service airports in South Carolina offer residents and visitors convenient travel options and contribute to the state's tourism and economic development.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the primary airports in South Carolina are the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE).
The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport offers seamless travel with nonstop flights, convenient parking, and world-class amenities.
The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is known for its commitment to accessible travel, with an inclusive online experience for passengers to access content and airport information barrier-free.
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