GSP CEO Dave Edwards outlines the airport’s future growth plans
by Claire Rozeman, Smoak Public Relations
The theme of the morning was capitalizing on opportunities. A presentation by Nick Sabatine, CEO of the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors, buoyed the hopes of the realtors in the room, saying that the days on market (DOM) for a Greenville listing has dropped from 180 during the height of the economic downturn to only 96 days. He deemed this a time for optimism, and an opportunity to make serious progress in returning the market to pre-recession numbers.
Following Sabatine’s presentation, Dave Edwards, CEO of the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, also described his plans to capitalize on this optimistic market outlook.
Magnify Economic Output
In 2012, one 137-seat jet flying into GSP had an average annual economic impact of $30,875,000. Edwards believes that GSP has the capability to inject even more dollars into the Greenville economy by taking advantage of the region’s strong air service market. With almost 7 million potential passengers within 100 miles of Greenville, Edwards hopes to build on last year’s momentum after being named the fastest-growing small airport in the U.S.
Facility Facelifts
Wingspan, GSP’s Terminal Improvement Program, is a four-year, $115 million expansion and renovation strategy with improvements planned for the baggage claim carousels, retail and concessions area and the building’s grounds and exterior. Along with a goal of increasing enplanement (number of passengers to board an aircraft) to 2 million passengers by 2035, the Wingspan website calls this the “most substantial wave of renovations in GSP’s history.”
Smart Spending
Eighty percent of Wingspan’s cost will be funded by the airport, with the remaining 20 percent coming from FAA, TSA and other grants. Edwards proudly notes that the project will not necessitate the addition of any passenger facility charges or cause the airport to incur any long-term debt. He stressed that Wingspan will not require the use of any local tax dollars. GSP has also invested an additional $750,000 in cargo equipment and freight-handling training to effectively compete for permanent scheduled cargo service from Europe.
Increasing Enplanement and Decreasing Costs
With the addition of Southwest Airlines’ service to GSP, the airport now boasts an average of 52 daily non-stop flights to 22 domestic destinations. In 2012, GSP saw an increase of 43 percent in total passenger traffic, with Southwest accounting for 73 percent of that increase. Although Southwest only claims about one-fifth of the airport’s airline market share, Edwards says that receiving the award for “Largest Reductions in Air Fares for the TOP 100 US Airports” (USDOT-BTS) was due to Southwest Airlines’ added routes and service.
Explore New Territories
In November 2012, a land use planning and development study determined the most beneficial uses for nine tracts of land surrounding the airport terminal structure. This study led to a growth initiative, called GSP360, that is forging partnerships with local, regional and national developers to maximize the potential value and economic impact of the unused airport property. The most notable project to date is a 45-acre lease to CenterPoint Properties, who is partnering with the SC Ports Authority as the inland port’s developer and construction manager.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is poised to become a major player in the Southeastern air service market, and Dave Edwards is enthusiastic about the future. Although major construction is expected to last from 2014-2016, Wingspan has a projected local output of over $160 million, and the development of GSP’s surrounding property could total $31 million in capital investments. Edwards believes this concentration of growth will ultimately attract even more development in the Upstate, and could potentially change our region’s entire business landscape.
