The South Carolina Aviation Association, in partnership with the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission, is celebrating this week with a series of events that highlight the impact aviation has 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 essential to economic development in the state,” said South Carolina Aviation Association President Kevin Howell. ” They directly contribute to the economy by providing services, moving passengers, and transporting cargo. The movement of goods and people benefit South Carolina’s government, consumers, and its industries.”
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.
South Carolina Aviation Week is a statewide celebration of the economic and education impact of airports and the aviation industry. Celebrated April 23-29, Aviation Week is planned in partnership by South Carolina Aviation Association (SCAA) and South Carolina Aeronautics Commission.
SCAA actively promotes and encourages aviation and airport development to meet air transportation needs and assist the state in achieving economic development goals. Its membership is comprised of airports, aviation industry partners and aviators across South Carolina.
