Despite ongoing disruptions from the pandemic, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) continues to see travel trends returning to pre-pandemic levels.
According to GSP communications manager Michelle Newman, 2021 was a good year for the airport with the addition of non–stop service to Nashville and continuing efforts to expand cargo capacity.
As the airport enters its 60th year in operation, Contour Airlines’ Nashville service is the latest addition to 22 non-stop destination cities. Newman says GSP will continue adding destinations to meet demand, especially if remote work drives further shifts in business travel.
Newman says although more services are likely, there are no pending announcements.
“We are at about 86% of 2019 travel,” she says. “That’s pretty much in line with what we’re seeing nationally. We’re still projecting 2024 to reach full recovery.”
Another project deferred from 2021 that will likely be revisited in 2022 is a proposed on-site hotel adjacent to the main terminal. Newman says leadership is looking at requests for proposals and that the project will come back before the GSP Airport Commission in the coming months.
Expanding cargo capacity
Expanding cargo capacity remains a priority, Newman says, especially in light of supply chain disruptions driving companies to reevaluate their logistics operations. Expansions to the cargo terminal last year can now accommodate three Boeing 777s at the same time.
“We’ve seen two record-breaking years as far as cargo,” she says. “We’ve become a really attractive option.”
The airport updated its Terminal Area Study in 2021 and projects with increasing demand could necessitate adding up to 12 additional boarding gates and other improvements. Newman says GSP is well-positioned to meet the area’s continuing growth.
“It’s a good time to be here,” she says.
