South Carolina's Aviation Industry
Video LibrarySouth Carolina’s airports and aviation industry make significant positive impacts on economic growth, development, and education.
For the latest video content from SCAA, visit and subscribe to the association’s YouTube Channel.
Join Charles Taylor, Marion County Airport Director and SCAA Board Member, and Chavis Watford, Marion County Administrator, as they share exciting updates on Marion County Airport’s $22.5 million expansion — including a brand-new 10,000-square-foot terminal, expanded parking, and a future restaurant, The Hangar.
Their vision for the airport directly aligns with Marion County’s long-term growth goals over the next 3–5 years. During South Carolina Aviation Week 2025, SCAC Executive Director Gary Siegfried and SCAC Commissioner Emeritus Bud Coward commended Charles Taylor and the Marion County team for their outstanding customer service and impressive progress. Captured during Aviation Week 2025, this footage celebrates how community leadership and aviation can take off together.
Pickens County Airport is strengthening its role in the region thanks to the expansion of its north ramp, enhancing capacity to support local businesses, emergency response, and economic development. Airport Administrator Carlos Salinas joins SCAC Executive Director Gary Siegfried, State Representative David Hiott, SC Forestry Commission Protection Chief Darryl Jones, and SC Senate President Thomas Alexander to discuss how this project supported the Table Rock Mountain wildfire relief efforts and aligns with broader community goals.
The video also highlights the variety of businesses operating at the airport, including a flight school, an A&P mechanic, Air MedEvac services, and The Scoop ice cream shop.
Captured during South Carolina Aviation Week 2025, the footage features SCAC Commissioner Skeets Cooper providing Dacusville Elementary students with an inspiring tour of his aircraft, underscoring the airport’s commitment to education and community engagement. See how Pickens County Airport continues to expand its impact across the region.
Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport is South Carolina’s leading general aviation hub, located conveniently in downtown Columbia. With over 13,000 annual operations, 100+ based aircraft, and a business center generating $16 million in economic impact, the airport plays a vital role in the region’s growth. It’s often the first stop for executives considering bringing their business to the area, offering unmatched accessibility and convenience. Beyond aviation, the airport engages the community through educational outreach, fundraising, and interactive programs in partnership with the EAA and the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation.
The Greenville Downtown Airport is the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina. General Aviation consists of all flying except for military or scheduled commercial flights. While GMU is recognized as the corporate gateway to Greenville, The community corridor on the South Ramp provides a window to aviation.
Georgetown County Airport has developed a plan specifically for airport economic development. Nestled halfway between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, and with the help of the county, the airport is poised for significant growth. “We’re looking at the airport as an economic development driver,” said Airport Director Jim Taylor. “We’re often the first point of contact a new business owner has with Georgetown County.”
Beaufort Executive Airport, located on Lady’s Island, celebrated S.C. Aviation Week by hosting a grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce. At the grand reopening event, the airport showcased its new terminal. This new terminal will help attract corporate and leisure travelers to the county. “The Beaufort Executive Airport is an important part of Beaufort County’s economic development,” said Airport Director Jon Rembold.
During Aviation Week, Governor McMaster, the Columbia Metropolitan leadership, Commission leaders and a host of community stakeholders gathered at the airport for exciting news, updates and a ribbon cutting helping CAE continue to Grow for Good! A new inline baggage system was unveiled, along with new airline ticket counters and digital display kiosks.
With continued growth in the area’s travel and tourism industry, Myrtle Beach International Airport hosted a press conference during Aviation Week 2023 to unveil its new terminal gate expansion project and talk about the investment in growing its facilities.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is celebrating South Carolina Aviation Week with a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate their new cargo expansion. GSP is served by seven major airlines offering daily flights to destinations across the U.S. The airport is also a hub for air cargo, including flights regularly flown to and from Europe and points across the United States.
Serving South Carolina’s Lowcountry, the Bamberg County Airport offers competitive
The South Carolina Aviation Association has enjoyed a strong relationship with the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission since the association’s inception. The SC Aeronautics Commission works hard on behalf of aviation in the state.
SCAA worked to educate legislators on the value South Carolina airports bring to local communities in 2021, resulting in the passage of Senate Bill 675, which opens up funding scenarios for all airports in the state.
Sumer County Airport is integral to local economic development and growth.
Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport is promoting aviation with community education programs, and it brings business and growth to the Upstate community.
South Carolina celebrates Aviation Week each August by highlighting the educational, economical growth, and development impacts our airports and the aviation industry make.
South Carolina’s commercial airports are open and ready for passenger travel. Take a look at the systems in place to protect health and safety of passengers and airport employees.
Lockheed Martin‘s Greenville presence contributes approximately $100 Million to Upstate economies and communities each year.
MedCenter Air conducts approximately 50 operations a month at Rock-Hill York County Airport. The organization offers rapid patient transport and support for EMS in and around York County, South Carolina.
SC Aeronautical Training Center at Trident Technical College is developing the workforce for South Carolina’s manufacturing cluster. With programs in aircraft assembly, aircraft maintenance, avionics maintenance and more, the center trains workers for careers in some of the state’s largest manufacturers.
Myrtle Beach-based Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics makes an impact on South Carolina’s economy by contributing to aviation workforce development through its aviation maintenance technician training program.
Special Services Corporation is an air charter service operating out of Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU). As a tenant of GMU, Special Services contributes to Greenville’s economic growth and prosperity.
South Carolina Aeronautics Commission fosters air and economic development in South Carolina. Commissioners work tirelessly to advocate for airports and funding, and they do it for the love of our great state and aviation.
UPS Airlines has daily flights to Columbia Metropolitan Airport and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, bringing much-needed goods into and out of South Carolina and distributing them on time.
Learn how aviation touches everyone in South Carolina, and how aviation makes life accessible.
Get In Touch
PO Box 80994
Charleston, SC 29416
(877) 359-7222
scaa@scaaonline.com