Owais Crawford
South Carolina, a U.S. state, is served by several airports, including publicly owned commercial airports, military airports, and private-use airports. The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) and Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) are two of the major airports in South Carolina, offering convenient travel options with nonstop flights and accessible facilities. These airports cater to a large number of passengers annually and are classified by the FAA based on passenger enplanements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports in South Carolina | Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) |
| Commercial Service | Primary airports are publicly owned and have more than 10,000 passenger boardings (enplanements) each year |
| Commercial Service Hub Types | L: Large hub accounting for at least 1% of total US passenger enplanements; M: Medium hub accounting for between 0.25% and 1%S: Small hub accounting for between 0.05% and 0.25%</co: 5%; N: Nonhub accounting for less than 0.05% but more than 10,000 annual enplanements |
| Commercial Service Non-Primary | Publicly owned airports with scheduled passenger service and at least 2,500 passenger boardings annually |
| Reliever Airports | Designated to reduce congestion at large commercial airports and improve general aviation access |
| Enplanements | The number of commercial passenger boardings at an airport in a year, as per FAA records |
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What You'll Learn
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
The airport has a rich history, opening its doors on October 15, 1962, and replacing Greenville Downtown Airport as the primary airline destination in the region. Initially, Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, and Southern Airways served both Greenville and Spartanburg separately, but only Eastern and Southern moved to the new GSP airport, while Delta discontinued its service. Over the years, GSP has undergone expansions and improvements, including the addition of new routes and carriers, contributing to its growth and increased passenger numbers.
The airport offers nonstop flights to over 20 destinations and connects passengers to more than 200 cities worldwide through one-stop flights. GSP is serviced by seven passenger airlines and their regional affiliates, ensuring convenient travel options for its customers. In recent years, the introduction of low-cost carriers has further reduced fares and attracted more passengers to choose GSP for their travel needs.
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Columbia Metropolitan Airport
The airport was built in 1940 as Lexington County Airport, which was renamed Columbia Metropolitan Airport in 1947 when most frontline passenger service relocated there from Owens Field, Columbia's previous main civil airport. In 1941, the airport came under formal military control and was used by the United States Army Air Corps as part of the buildup of its forces after the start of World War II in Europe. The airport was returned to civil authorities in November 1945.
The airport has a history of aviation incidents, including a crash in 1973 that killed the pilot and a passenger, and a 2008 crash during a rejected takeoff that resulted in four fatalities. In 2020, a Western Global Airlines Boeing 747 lost a wingtip while taxiing before takeoff.
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Public vs. private airports
South Carolina has a range of airports, including Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), which saw 1,362,374 passengers in 2024. Now, let's delve into the differences between public and private airports.
In the United States, almost all commercial airports are owned and operated by public entities, including local, regional, or state authorities. This means that the airports are publicly owned and managed, with the government having regulatory and economic oversight. The government's role includes security, airspace management, and ensuring sustainable growth and public safety. Additionally, the government's involvement helps deter monopolies and maintain competition among airlines within airports.
On the other hand, private airports are owned and operated by private companies or entities. While the concept of private airports is less common in the US, they are more prevalent in other parts of the world, such as Europe, where private and semi-private airports exist. The operation of private airports is left to qualified service companies that manage airfield operations under concession agreements with the government.
Funding and Revenue:
Public airports are largely self-sustaining and are funded by the users and businesses that operate within the airport. The primary sources of revenue for public airports come from fees paid by passengers, landing fees charged to airlines, space rental fees, parking charges, and sales of food and goods at the airport. Commercial airports in the US receive minimal taxpayer-funded support from state or local sources. Instead, federal grants for airport construction projects are derived from travel taxes on airline tickets and fuel taxes.
Private airports, on the other hand, are typically funded and operated by private companies, and the revenue generated remains within the private sector.
Workforce and Economic Impact:
America's commercial airports, whether public or private, have a significant impact on employment and the economy. Approximately 1.2 million people are directly employed at US commercial airports, contributing to a total of 9.6 million jobs linked to these airports. The payroll for these airport-related jobs amounts to $358 billion in annual pay. Additionally, commercial airports account for over 7% of the national GDP and support more than 6% of the country's workforce.
As air travel continues to grow, with forecasts predicting an increase in domestic passenger travel, airports will need to expand their infrastructure. This includes significant investments in runways, terminals, and other facilities to meet the increasing demand for passenger travel, cargo loadings, and other aviation activities.
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Commercial service airports
South Carolina is a US state that is served by several commercial service airports. These are publicly owned airports that receive scheduled passenger service and can be further classified into primary and non-primary airports. Primary airports have more than 10,000 passenger boardings (enplanements) each year, while non-primary airports have at least 2,500.
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. It is located in the city of Greenville, which is known for its culinary scene and farm-to-table movement.
Another primary commercial airport in South Carolina is the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). This airport recently saw over 1,300,000 passengers in 2024, surpassing its previous record set in 2019. Beginning in May 2025, passengers using a South Carolina-issued driver's license to fly out of CAE will need a gold star indicating REAL ID compliance to clear security.
In addition to these primary airports, there may be non-primary commercial service airports in South Carolina that receive fewer annual passenger boardings but still offer scheduled passenger service. These non-primary airports can play an important role in providing air travel access to smaller communities or relieving congestion at larger airports.
Overall, South Carolina's commercial service airports, both primary and non-primary, contribute to the state's tourism and economic development by facilitating domestic and international travel to and from the state. These airports vary in size and passenger volume but are crucial gateways for visitors and residents alike.
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Military airports
South Carolina is home to several military airports, some of which were established during World War II. The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) set up numerous airfields in the state for antisubmarine defence in the Gulf of Mexico and for training pilots and aircrews. While many of these airfields were converted into civilian airports after the war, some were retained as United States Air Force installations and played crucial roles during the Cold War.
One notable military airfield in South Carolina is the Charleston Army Airfield, located 10.6 miles (17.1 km) northwest of the city of Charleston. This airfield was under the command of the Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC) during World War II. Remnants of this wartime airfield can still be found today, and it continues to be an active military installation.
Another important military airport in the state is the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). This airport serves as a joint-use facility, accommodating both military and civilian aviation. It is a busy airport, having served over 1.3 million passengers in 2024. The airport conducts regular emergency training exercises in collaboration with local mutual aid agencies and volunteers to ensure the safety and security of its passengers and staff.
In addition to these, there are likely other military airfields and air bases in South Carolina that are not publicly disclosed or have less publicly available information. These installations may be associated with various branches of the armed forces, including the Air Force, Army, or National Guard, and could be involved in specialized operations or training activities.
Overall, South Carolina's military airports have a rich history, dating back to World War II, and they continue to play an important role in the state's infrastructure and national defence. These airports are a testament to the state's contribution to military affairs and its strategic significance.
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Frequently asked questions
The publicly owned airports that have more than 10,000 passenger boardings each year are considered primary airports in South Carolina. These include Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) and Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE).
A primary airport is further classified by the FAA into four categories: Large hub, Medium hub, Small hub, and Nonhub.
Beginning May 7, 2025, passengers flying out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) with a South Carolina driver's license must have a gold star indicating that their license is REAL ID-compliant to clear the security checkpoint.
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