Columbia — Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed April 21-27, 2024, as South Carolina Aviation Week. South Carolina Aviation Association (SCAA), in partnership with South Carolina Aeronautics Commission, is celebrating the week with a series of events that highlight the impacts of airports and aviation on economic development and educational initiatives.
South Carolina has six commercial service airports, 58 general aviation airports and five military airfields. Each of these facilities provide essential support to the state’s diversified business base through recreational flying, providing gateways to communities and tourism, accommodating agricultural spraying, supporting air cargo and air freight shipments, helping law enforcement, supporting military operations, providing access in times of emergency and supporting medicine and healthcare.
“South Carolina’s airports are vital economic engines,” said SCAA President Kevin Howell. “They directly contribute to the our state’s growth by providing services, moving passengers and transporting cargo, all of which benefit South Carolina’s government, consumers and its industries.”
According to the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness every state dollar invested in SC airports generates a return of $3,000. The state’s aviation industry supports more than 122,000 jobs with an estimated annual payroll of $4.8 billion. Annually, at least $16.3 billion in economic activity can be traced to aviation in South Carolina.
