SCAA

Funding is needed to assist Airports in South Carolina stay competitive with neighboring states. Both Commercial Service and General Aviation Airports are critical to the state’s economic development activities.

The 2018 Economic Impact Study conducted by the SC Aeronautics Commission concluded that South Carolina Airports support annual economic activity estimated at $16.3 billion and $656 million in annual tax revenue. Commercial Service Airports have more than $15.3 billion in annual economic impact and $617 million in annual tax revenue. General Aviation (GA) Airports have more than $1 billion in annual economic impact and $39 million in annual tax revenue.

Airports that transport people and cargo do not receive significant funding like other transportation modalities such as ports and rail. SC Aeronautics Commission leans heavily on FAA matching fund programs for airport planning, construction, and maintenance, and works to ensure that federal matching requirements are met to keep current and multi-year projects on track. How- ever, critical updates and new construction needs outweigh federal funding levels. The Commission was allocated $40 million for development at the state’s six commerical service airports in 2023, yet commercial service airport requests totaled $210.6 million for projects––such as terminal ex- pansion and cargo apron expansion––that attract new business and jobs to each region.

Thank you to our members, to our partners at SC Aeronautics, and to our legislators for seeing the value in supporting South Carolina’s airport system and keeping our state competitive in the Southern Region!