Greenville-Spartanburg Airport adds airlines, routes. Passenger traffic expected to grow

Bob Montgomery, Spartanburg Herald-Journal
·3 min read

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport has experienced monthly gains in passenger air traffic this year. It is a trend that airport officials expect to continue in 2024.

Compared to July 2022, there were 15,074 more passengers in July 2023. In August 2023, there were 16,798 more passengers than in August 2022, and in September 2023, 21,515 more passengers than in August 2022.

Passenger traffic has grown steadily since 2021 when GSP and most other airports saw steep declines blamed on the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of GSP's growth in 2023, Avelo Airlines announced in June nonstop service between GSP and Orlando twice weekly, and additional routes to New Haven and Philadelphia.
As part of GSP's growth in 2023, Avelo Airlines announced in June nonstop service between GSP and Orlando twice weekly, and additional routes to New Haven and Philadelphia.

"GSP passenger traffic continues to grow, not just during the holidays," GSP spokeswoman Tiffany Cherry said. "The increased passenger traffic can be attributed to new airlines, additional routes, and the operation of larger aircraft at GSP."

In June, as part of GSP's growth in 2023, Avelo Airlines announced nonstop service between GSP and Orlando twice weekly, and additional routes to New Haven and Philadelphia.

In October, Southwest Airlines announced the addition of a new nonstop service to Denver International Airport beginning June 8, 2024. The new flights will operate on Saturdays and Sundays.

Among new services this year, GSP introduced self-check-in kiosks; a fifth lane at the TSA security checkpoint; and added Flippit, a service that allows passengers to ship prohibited items to themselves as an alternative to surrendering prohibited items at the checkpoint.

GSP begins three-phase Terminal Roadway Improvement project

To boost the traveling experience this year, GSP began a three-phase Terminal Roadway Improvement project to improve vehicle traffic flow and install infrastructure for future airport growth.

To improve the traveling experience, GSP Airport has begun a three-phase Terminal Roadway Improvement that will improve vehicle traffic flow and install infrastructure that will allow the airport to continue to grow in the future.
To improve the traveling experience, GSP Airport has begun a three-phase Terminal Roadway Improvement that will improve vehicle traffic flow and install infrastructure that will allow the airport to continue to grow in the future.

Plans are to finish the first phase in December. It includes the widening of GSP Drive to three lanes up to the Terminal Parkway intersection and building a temporary access road from GSP Drive to the Airport Operations and Badging parking lot.

The second phase begins next and includes reconfiguring the existing section of the front curb. The final phase in 2024 will include the reconstruction of GSP Drive. All lanes of the curb front road will be used for passenger drop-off and pickup.

While passengers await their flights, there are several dining and shopping options available. Food options include Baskin-Robbins, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin' Donuts, Flatwood Grill, RJ Rockers Flight Room, Sweet South Carolina, The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck and Thomas Creek Grill.

GSP named Best, Cleanest Airport and 2023 Best Places to Work awards

Meanwhile, GSP has racked up numerous honors this year.

As part of GSP's growth in 2023, Avelo Airlines officials in June announced nonstop service between GSP and Orlando twice weekly, and additional routes to New Haven and Philadelphia.
As part of GSP's growth in 2023, Avelo Airlines officials in June announced nonstop service between GSP and Orlando twice weekly, and additional routes to New Haven and Philadelphia.

In August, it was named one of the 2023 Best Places to Work in South Carolina by SC Biz News for its employee recruitment and retention. Rankings were published in the August 2023 issue of SCBIZ magazine. GSP has more than 250 employees.

“It is a great honor to be named to the Best Places to Work in South Carolina list,” stated Dave Edwards, president and CEO of GSP Airport. “This achievement is a testament to the incredible dedication of our exceptional team, whose dedication and talent drive our success.”

In March, the Airports Council International named GSP the best airport with 2 million to 5 million passengers, and the airport with the most dedicated staff in North America. It was also named the cleanest airport in North America.

Besides flying passengers to their destinations, GSP has also grown in providing cargo service for Upstate companies.

Maersk announced in April a new scheduled cargo service from GSP to Shenyang Taoxian International Airport in China, with three weekly flights starting in May. In 2022, Maersk began scheduled cargo service from GSP to Incheon, South Korea.

GSP's 110,000-square-foot cargo facility was built in 2019 and expanded by another 50,000 square feet in 2022.

Bob Montgomery covers Spartanburg County politics and growth & development. Reach him via email at bob.montgomery@shj.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: New airlines, routes are helping GSP passenger traffic to grow