Myrtle Beach International Airport

Myrtle Beach International Airport (IATA: MYR[4], ICAO: KMYR, FAA LID: MYR) is a county-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles (6 km) southwest of the central business district of Myrtle Beach, in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. It was formerly known as Myrtle Beach Jetport (1974–1989) and is located on site of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, which also includes The Market Common shopping complex.

For the United States Air Force use of the facility before March 1993, see Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.

Myrtle Beach International Airport
Terminal at Myrtle Beach International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerHorry County
OperatorHorry County Department of Airports[1]
ServesMyrtle Beach, South Carolina
Elevation AMSL25 ft / 8 m
Coordinates33°40′47″N 078°55′42″W
WebsiteFlyMyrtleBeach.com
Maps
FAA airport diagram
FAA airport diagram
MYR is located in South Carolina
MYR
MYR
Location of airport in South Carolina/United States
MYR is located in the United States
MYR
MYR
MYR (the United States)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
18/36 9,503 2,897 Asphalt / concrete
Statistics (2022)
Total passengers3,459,803
Aircraft operations (year ending 1/31/2022)173,736
Sources: FAA,[2][3]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021 categorized it as a small-hub primary commercial service facility.[5] Myrtle Beach has the second-busiest airport in South Carolina behind Charleston, with over 2.4 million passengers (arriving and departing) in 2018.[6][7]

The airport's official website since 2006 is flymyrtlebeach.com,[8] which was previously an unofficial website owned by an airport employee.[9] In July 2012 the airport launched a redesigned website with a new logo.[10][11][12]

History

An airport was started on property from a former army base which the federal government transferred in 1948 through the Surplus Property Act. The city of Myrtle Beach decided not to use the property for an airport but funds from the property still had to be used for an airport. From 1958 to 1976 these funds went to Horry County Jetport in Crescent Beach, which moved[13] to the northeast part of the base after an agreement for joint civilian and military use of the base. In 1977, the City of Myrtle Beach annexed the area of Myrtle Beach Airport.[14] Until 1993, both MYR and Myrtle Beach AFB jointly used the main runway; this limited civil operations to 30 landings per day and led to a local business movement to build an entirely new airport.[15]

In the 1980s, the airport was served by Piedmont Airlines mainline aircraft (later acquired by USAir) and by Delta and Eastern commuter aircraft.[16]

In 1993, the Air Force closed the base as a result of BRAC 1991. The runway and other portions of the former military flight line were then turned over to the Horry County Department of Airports.[17]

American Eagle became a major carrier at MYR in the early 1990s, operating multiple daily ATR 72 flights to the American Airlines hub at Raleigh–Durham International Airport. By late 1994 this route accounted for as much as 12% of the airport's passenger traffic; however, American abruptly ended its American Eagle hub at Raleigh–Durham in December 1994, cancelling all service to MYR and other secondary airports in the region.[18] American returned to Myrtle Beach in 2010 with a seasonal service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.[19]

On April 1, 1996, Myrtle Beach Airport became an international airport. A new international terminal had its grand opening August 21 of that year, and a new logo was unveiled "to reflect the architectural design of the airport's terminal and the influence of the beach by showing a pained window and a palm tree in blues and greens".[20]

The airport served as the main hub for Hooters Air from 2003 until 2006. The airport authority offered discounted hangar space and other undisclosed benefits to Hooters Air operator Pace Airlines in an effort to relocate its operating base from Smith Reynolds Airport in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.[21] However, Pace decided to keep its base (also used for charter operations) in Winston-Salem.[22]

In 2006 AirTran Airways discontinued its service to Atlanta; it was the fourth-largest airline serving Myrtle Beach International at the time.[23]

Direct Air connected a number of airports to Myrtle Beach from 2007 until 2012, when it abruptly filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased operations.[24] The failure of Direct Air caused a slump in passenger traffic at Myrtle Beach,[25] which declined 16% in 2012 but rebounded in 2013. WestJet began service to Toronto in summer 2013 with a revenue guarantee from Horry County, but its passenger numbers fell short of expectations, forcing the county to pay WestJet around $570,000.[26]

The airport was a designated launch abort site for the Space Shuttle, but was never used.[27]

On July 26, 2022, it was announced that Indianapolis-based Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy would start hosting flight training operations. Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy instructs aeronaut hopefuls on how to pass and exceed the expectations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for commercial pilots, training up to 300 students each year. Negotiations are currently underway between LIFT, MYR, the City of Myrtle Beach about a suitable long-term facility for the flight training program. LIFT plans to begin operations in Myrtle Beach as early as October 2022, sending flight training students from its Indianapolis branch to Myrtle Beach. [28]

Renovations

In 2008 two renovations took place in the terminal building. In July 2010, the FAA approved a $4.50 passenger facilities charge on all airline tickets to and from MYR in order to defray part of the cost for the terminal upgrade.[29]

On March 16, 2021, it was reported that Myrtle Beach International Airport was working on a 20-year plan that would more than double the number of gates at the airport, however details remain to be worked out. There are currently two proposals for terminal expansions, which both would more than double the 11 gates the airport has now. One of the plans call for 23 gates, and the other calls for 25 and would be built on the east side of the airport. The plan has three possible layouts for new parking with one being a parking garage on the east side. One of the other major addition includes more international flights and there have been talks with two different international airlines. Another possible addition would be providing space for a major shipping distribution center like FedEx or Amazon. The 20-year plan has been finalized and may be presented before the Federal Aviation Administration by the end of 2021.[30]

However, on March 18, 2021, it was airport officials clarified the airport's immediate future plans stating a presentation showing the expansion of terminals as well as parking lots was a long-term concept, but no expansions will be implemented in the near future. These documents show the early stages of a legally required 20-year master plan, that began in 2018 but was put on pause due to the pandemic.[31]

On April 8, 2022, it was announced that the airport is planning on doing a $35 million expansion that will be primarily funded by the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill that was signed into law last year by President Joe Biden. The renovations will include adding 4-5 new gates onto the end of the "A" gate that is located on the south side of the building, more fuel storage that will add 100,000 gallons in fuel storage capacity in case of future supply crunches, security checkpoint that will alleviate the pressure created by the current TSA bottleneck, and add more space for restaurants and retail. [32]

On April 30, 2023, it was announced that Myrtle Beach International Airport is planning av terminal expansion project which will six new gates to terminal A. The expansion will bring the total number of gates to 18 at the airport and is part of an effort to keep up with growth, as well as the travelers, including the newly completed parking canopy over the rental car lot. The South Carolina Aeronautics Commission contributed $8 million to the project. An airport official stated that the projects total cost is still being finalized but are hoping that construction will begin in early 2024 with the project to be completed in 2025. [33] [34]

Facilities

The airport covers 3,795 acres (1,536 ha) at an elevation of 25 feet (8 m). Its single runway, 18/36, is 9,503 long (2,897 x 46 m).[2][35] The airport entrance is on Harrelson Boulevard.[36]

The Terminal Building is named for Myrtle Beach's first mayor, Dr. Wilford Leroy Harrelson, who served from March 1938 to December 1939 and again from January 1942 to December 1943. The city bought land for the airport during his first term, and the terminal was named in his honor.

MYR has a helipad primarily used by charter tour companies at the base of runway 36.

In the year ending January 31, 2019 the airport had 125,925 aircraft operations, average 345 per day: 59% air taxi, 19% airline, 16% general aviation, and 6% military. 51 aircraft were then based at the airport: 38 single-engine, 6 multi-engine, 1 jet, and 6 helicopter.[2]

The airport had an air cargo building at the entrance of the airport; the building closed a few years ago and is mainly used by airport maintenance for storage.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger
AirlinesDestinations
Allegiant Air Albany, Allentown, Cincinnati, Newburgh
Seasonal: Akron/Canton,[37] Belleville/St. Louis, Clarksburg, Columbus–Rickenbacker, Fort Wayne, Hagerstown (MD), Harrisburg, Huntington, Indianapolis, Lexington, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse
American Airlines Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington–National
Seasonal: Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago–O'Hare
Avelo Airlines New Haven (CT),[38] Wilmington (DE)[39]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, Detroit, New York–LaGuardia
Seasonal: Boston,[40] Minneapolis/St. Paul
Frontier Airlines Seasonal: Long Island/Islip, Philadelphia
Porter Airlines Seasonal: Toronto–Billy Bishop
Southwest Airlines Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Nashville
Seasonal: Columbus–Glenn, Dallas–Love, Denver,[41] Kansas City, Pittsburgh, St. Louis
Spirit Airlines Atlantic City, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Newark, New York–LaGuardia, Orlando
Seasonal: Detroit, Cleveland, Hartford, Kansas City, Latrobe/Pittsburgh, Manchester (NH), Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Rochester
Sun Country Airlines Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul
United Airlines Newark
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare, Washington Dulles

Cargo
AirlinesDestinations
FedEx Express Columbia (SC)
UPS Airlines Columbia (SC)

Statistics

Top destinations
Busiest domestic routes from MYR (April 2022 - March 2023)[6]
Rank City Passengers Airline
1 North Carolina Charlotte, North Carolina 200,000 American
2 Georgia (U.S. state) Atlanta, Georgia 162,000 Delta, Southwest
3 Maryland Baltimore, Maryland 129,000 Southwest, Spirit
4 New York (state) New York–LaGuardia, New York 124,000 American, Spirit
5 New Jersey Newark, New Jersey 110,000 Spirit, United
6 Michigan Detroit, Michigan 109,000 Delta, Spirit
7 Illinois Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 66,000 American, Spirit, United
8 Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee 64,000 Southwest
9 Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 64,000 American, Frontier, Spirit
10 Massachusetts Boston, Massachusetts 60,000 Spirit

Airline market share
Largest airlines at MYR (April 2022 - March 2023)[6]
Rank Airline Passengers Share
1 Spirit 1,326,000 38.71%
2 Southwest 535,000 15.64%
3 Delta 409,000 11.93%
4 American 289,000 8.45%
5 Allegiant 255,000 7.45%
- Other 610,000 17.82%

Annual traffic
Annual passenger traffic at MYR, 2000–present[42]
YearPassengers
20001,582,372
2001Decrease 1,421,081
2002Decrease 1,260,121
2003Increase 1,335,496
2004Increase 1,535,212
2005Increase 1,566,409
2006Decrease 1,440,400
2007Increase 1,683,823
2008Decrease 1,565,372
2009Decrease 1,485,393
2010Increase 1,736,138
2011Increase 1,759,874
2012Decrease 1,482,554
2013Increase1,664,917
2014Increase 1,749,657
2015Increase 1,830,071
2016Increase 1,942,927
2017Increase 2,277,044
2018Increase 2,467,093
2019Increase 2,611,563
2020Decrease 1,113,820
2021Increase 3,210,247
2022Increase 3,459,803

Accidents and incidents
  • On July 23, 1950, a USAF Curtiss C-46 Commando crashed 1.9 miles west of Myrtle Beach AFB when the left aileron detached after takeoff and lost control at an altitude of about 1000–2000 feet. Both wings failed and the aircraft crashed. All four crew and 35 occupants were killed.[43]

References
  1. "Horry County Department of Airports page on Horry County Government Website". Horry County, South Carolina. Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  2. FAA Airport Form 5010 for MYR PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective 23 February 2023.
  3. "MYR Airport Enplanements and Deplanements for 2022". flymyrtlebeach.com. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  4. "IATA Airport Code Search (MYR: Myrtle Beach)". International Air Transport Association. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  5. "List of NPIAS Airports" (PDF). FAA.gov. Federal Aviation Administration. October 21, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  6. "Myrtle Beach, SC: Myrtle Beach International (MYR)". Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), U.S. Department of Transportation. November 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  7. Spring, Jake (December 31, 2010). "Flier breaks Myrtle Beach International Airport record". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, S.C. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  8. "Myrtle Beach International Airport". FlyMyrtleBeach.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2006.
  9. "UNOFFICIAL site of Aviation in the Myrtle Beach". FlyMyrtleBeach.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2005.
  10. "Myrtle Beach International Airport (old website and logo)". FlyMyrtleBeach.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012.
  11. "Myrtle Beach International Airport (new website and logo)". FlyMyrtleBeach.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012.
  12. "Myrtle Beach International Airport Launches New Website" (PDF) (Press release). Horry County Department of Airports. August 8, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  13. Shoemaker, J. Dale (April 16, 2021). "Myrtle Beach to feds: We don't owe Horry County any campground money". The Sun News.
  14. "Former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Community Relations Plan" (PDF). United States Air Force. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 2, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  15. "Task force calls for 'international airport' in Myrtle Beach". Wilmington Morning Star. September 18, 1987. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  16. "Two Carriers Want To Land Large Jets in Myrtle Beach". Charleston, S.C.: The News and Courier. February 2, 1989. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  17. "FORMER MYRTLE BEACH AIR FORCE BASE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN" (PDF).
  18. "Airport officials aren't sweating airline's decision to end service". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. December 12, 1994. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  19. "American Eagle Airlines Launches Nonstop Jet Service Between Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport". PR Newswire. April 6, 2010. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  20. Merx, Katie (August 22, 1996). "Airport Has Global Outlook: International Terminal Open for Business". Myrtle Beach, S.C.: The Sun News.
  21. "Myrtle Beach woos N.C. airline". Wilmington Morning Star. February 27, 2003.
  22. "Hooters Air flying to Myrtle Beach". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. December 29, 2002.
  23. Bryant, Dawn (December 22, 2006). "AirTran Departs Myrtle Beach". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, S.C.: AviationPros.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  24. Wren, David (November 13, 2013). "Bank going after Myrtle Beach-based Direct Air's former owners for $25 million debt". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, S.C. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  25. "Myrtle Beach Int'l Airport lands new Canadian carrier". StarNews. February 11, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  26. Bryant, Dawn (November 19, 2013). "Rebound continues at Myrtle Beach International Airport, momentum expected to continue into 2014". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, S.C. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  27. "Space Shuttle Emergency Landing Sites". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  28. Duncan, Chase. "Myrtle Beach International Airport to host flight school for commercial pilots". My Horry News. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  29. "Myrtle Beach airport ticket fee to increase: Cash will help fund expansion". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, S.C. January 12, 2011. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  30. Wilcox, Zach (March 17, 2021). "Myrtle Beach International Airport plans to double its terminals by 2038". WMBF-TV. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  31. Papantonis, Nicholas (March 18, 2021). "Expansion not a part of Myrtle Beach airport immediate plans". WPDE-TV. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  32. Karacostas, Chase; Shoemaker, J. Dale. "Myrtle Beach airport unveils $35M terminal expansion hoped to alleviate lines, crowds". The Sun News. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  33. "Myrtle Beach International Airport terminal expansion will add 6 new gates". WBTW. April 30, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  34. Vazquez-Juarbe, Joel (April 28, 2023). "MYR to expand and add 6 gates to terminal". WPDE. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  35. "MYR airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  36. Bryant, Dawn; Saldinger, Ava; Spring, Jake (January 2, 2011). "Top business stories to watch in 2011 in Myrtle Beach area". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, S.C. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  37. https://ir.allegiantair.com/news-releases/news-release-details/allegiant-announces-eight-new-routes-one-way-fares-low-39
  38. "Avelo Airlines Significantly Expands Service from Connecticut to Four Popular Southeastern U.S. Destinations". February 16, 2022.
  39. "Avelo Airlines to Nearly Triple Number of Nonstop Destinations from Delaware's Wilmington Airport". Benzinga. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  40. "Delta NS23 Domestic Network Additions – 24DEC22". Aeroroutes. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  41. "Southwest Airlines - Check Flight Schedules".
  42. "Media Center". Flymyrtlebeach.com. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  43. Accident description for 44-77577 at the Aviation Safety Network
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