Myrtle Beach airport continues record breaking pace amid construction boom. What to know.
Myrtle Beach International Airport just completed its busiest April ever, a signal that tourism season inside South Carolina’s most popular vacation spot is poised to put up strong numbers.
The month saw more than 294,000 passengers — a 4 percent year-over-year jump from the 282,784 people who moved through the airport last April.
In 2022, more than 3.5 million people traveled through Myrtle Beach, setting another record.
“The Grand Strand is a top destination for tourism in the U.S., and our continued growth pattern help demonstrate that the Grand Strand is no longer a summer-only destination,” airport director Judi Olmstead said in a May 11 statement.
All the traffic comes amid several major site expansions and additional travel routes recently announced by Avelo Airlines, Delta, Spirit and other airlines.
Here’s a look at what’s happening
Work is continuing on a multi-million terminal expansion announced in 2022
Architect renderings of the roughly $100 million venture were made public late last month as part of South Carolina Aviation Week.
Officials are adding six gates to the airport’s sole terminal, bringing the total to 18 and helping to alleviate long lines for check in, car rentals and security.
Construction is expected to start sometime next year, with a projected opening date in 2025.
In addition to the added gates, new features include:
More fuel storage: The airport is adding 100,000 gallons in fuel storage capacity. This will help in case of future supply crunches as seen during the Colonial Pipeline shutdown in May 2021.
Security checkpoint: The existing TSA security checkpoint cannot be expanded because it’s “landlocked” in its existing hallway. However, a new checkpoint will alleviate the pressure created by the current TSA bottleneck.
More food options: As part of the terminal’s planned expansion, the airport will add more space for restaurants and retail. It’s too early to know what those new food options will be, officials said.
Profit margins are healthy, which is helping to pay for the growth. Parking will become easier too.
Olmstead said last month it costs the airport $7.73 per passenger, compared to an average $10.20 per passenger cost at facilities of similar size. That overhead allows Myrtle Beach to stay competitive while making it more attractive for carriers to add routes to and from the Grand Strand.
Look for the addition of 400 spaces to the airport’s long-term parking lot as one of the next big items. Construction is also under way on several capital projects including upgraded security systems, improved taxiway lighting and a relocation of its helicopter operations.
Several airlines have added Myrtle Beach runs either seasonally or full-time
On April 22, officials said United was adding seasonal runs from Myrtle Beach to Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles National Airport.
Two days earlier, Avelo said it would offer travel from Myrtle Beach to Wilmington, Del., with introductory prices of $39 for a one-way ticket.
Delta’s direct seasonal flights to Boston picked up again this month — a market that area tourism officials are targeting heavily for the spring and summer seasons. Delta accounts for roughly 10 percent of the airport’s total traffic.
Allegiant Air will begin a Myrtle Beach to Akron, Ohio run beginning June 1.
