The Hidden Engine Driving South Carolina’s Economy and Connections
Have you ever flown in or out of one of South Carolina’s six commercial airports? They may seem small compared to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – the busiest airport in the world for 27 out of 28 years running – but there’s an ease and efficiency to using a local facility where you can park and walk to the terminal rather than battle traffic and take both a sky train and plane train to reach your gate.
South Carolina’s well-established system of airports, which includes Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Florence Regional Airport, Myrtle Beach International Airport, Charleston International Airport, and Hilton Head Island Airport, had a collective economic impact of $22.5 billion on the state in 2025 while employing more than 130,000 residents.
Behind the scenes, making everything run smoothly and safely, is the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission. Since 1935, this state agency has ensured that the Palmetto State has a safe, efficient, and well-planned aviation system serving its residents and businesses.
“Aviation plays a much bigger role in the state’s economy than many people realize,” said Executive Director Gary Siegfried, who has been with the Commission for more than a decade. “It’s critical for business development, tourism, cargo movement, and even emergency services.”
Siegfried’s team is currently gearing up to develop a new type of report – one that tallies the impact across all 57 public-use airports spread across South Carolina. In the meantime, their 2025 report – which focuses on the six major commercial airports – tells an impressive story. Within the $22.5 billion economic impact previously mentioned, the Commission learned that the airports led to $540 million in tax revenue in 2025. They also support one of South Carolina’s largest industries, tourism, by generating $30 billion annually and supporting approximately one in every ten jobs in the state.
“A big part of that success depends on having a strong aviation system,” Siegfried explained. “Our airports are often the first point of entry for visitors, and they play a critical role in supporting tourism, economic development, and connectivity across both urban and rural communities.”
According to national census data, more than 90% of South Carolina’s land is considered rural, and nearly a third of residents live in these areas. Siegfried points out that local airports provide essential infrastructure to South Carolina communities – especially rural ones – by providing access to the national airspace system that would otherwise be far less accessible.
The agency’s role is to help drive economic growth while also contributing to the funding, development, and maintenance of a safe and balanced statewide aviation network. But what does this look like on a day-to-day basis?
Siegfried’s staff is surprisingly slim given the enormity of their task. But they tackle the extensive scope of all things SC aviation with highly skilled backgrounds in the numerous aspects they oversee.
“All 11 of us are knowledgeable in the aviation sector, and each is an expert in areas like engineering, planning, safety inspections, and grants management,” Siegfried said. “The team works across the entire statewide system, but with limited resources, we have to take a team-based approach rather than assigning individual staff members to different airports.”
Wearing different hats is just part of the job for members of the commission. For example, one of the Safety Inspectors also serves as the drone pilot expert and in-house IT specialist. The state Airport Engineer also assists with safety inspections, and the state Airport Planner is also the compatible land use specialist.
“On a day-to-day basis, that might mean conducting airport inspections, working with local sponsors on capital improvement projects, coordinating with the FAA on airport state funding, or providing technical guidance on construction projects,” he said. “Our team is frequently out in the field visiting airports, while others are focused on managing grants and advancing long-term planning efforts.”
The result? The commission adopts a hands-on, relationship-driven approach where they stay in close contact with airport managers and local leaders.
“Staying engaged enables us to be proactive in addressing needs rather than just reacting to issues,” Siegfried said.
That engagement extends to the community, creating an inclusive environment for aviation enthusiasts and concerned citizens alike. With aviation generally not well understood, the agency’s goal is to build awareness, strengthen relationships, and ensure that South Carolinians understand the role aviation plays in their daily lives and local economy.
Sponsored by the local Experimental Aircraft Association Chapters, stakeholders have been convening at twice monthly breakfasts since 1938. With support from their Education Grant, the Commission also partners with K12 schools, universities, and non-profit organizations to promote aviation careers and support STEM opportunities.
“Careers in the aviation sector are typically high-paying and in high demand,” Siegfried said. “Developing the next generation of aviation professionals is really important to us.”
Beyond his hard-working staff, Siegfried credits the dedicated involvement of the Commission Members – seven district commissioners, a chairman at-large, and two emeritus members – who regularly convene to advance statewide aviation.
“Their leadership and engagement are essential to helping us set priorities and move initiatives forward,” he said.
Support at the state level helps as well. Operating on a limited budget has required the agency to be strategic in its investments for capital improvements and other programs and projects. But recently, the Governor and General Assembly approved additional funding for airport development to be overseen by the Commission.
“I think that reflects a growing recognition of just how important aviation is to South Carolina’s economy,” Siegfried said. “We are grateful for their confidence in our mission, and while we’re mindful of our constraints, we’re encouraged by the momentum and the increasing awareness of the critical role our airports play across the state.”