CHS CEO & Executive Director delivers first State of the Airport Address

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A new tradition for Charleston International Airport took off on Tuesday.

“We certainly wanted to be as transparent and as communicative as possible with our traveling public and with our community stakeholders, so they understand what’s about to happen,” said CHS CEO and Executive Director Elliott Summey.

Summey delivered the Inaugural State of the Airport Address Tuesday to a crowd of nearly 400 people at the Charleston Marriott. Titled, “Flight Path to the Future,” the speech laid out the airport’s achievements like an $8.5 billion economic impact annually.

“We are the largest commercial airport in all of South Carolina. Everyday, we have more passengers come through Charleston International Airport than Myrtle Beach and Columbia combined,” Summey told the audience.

Flying through CHS cost less now than it did in 2019, according to Summey’s remarks.

It’s no secret Charleston’s growing population and popularity are reflected in airport passenger numbers. Summey shared they will be adding 20-30% capacity through various projects underway to meet the demand.

“We’ve gone from 22 nonstop destinations to 69 in 4.5 years,” the CEO added.

Construction on a new $348 million parking garage referred to as PG3 began earlier this month. The garage will add more than 5,100 new spaces and will house all of the rental car operations.

“July 1, 2020, we had zero passengers, and we were losing $3 million a month because of COVID. It was my first day on the job. Today, we have 6.1 million passengers and last year we made $54 million,” Summey said.

CHS will see a nearly one-mile-long curb expansion, a double-sized ticket hall, and a brand new East Concourse which will hold eight gates.

In the meantime, four temporary gates will be added. Construction is projected to begin mid-2025.

Summey ended the speech crediting the team effort it takes to make it all happen.

“This is the team that’s going to create the best quality of life, economic development story of any airport. Not only in South Carolina, but in the southeast,” Summey stated, standing alongside members of the Charleston County Aviation Authority Board.

Charleston International Airport is gearing up to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2029.