Donaldson lands new taxiway

More room on tarmac should encourage growth officials say

JANUARY 11, 2010 12:03 p.m. (0)

A $750,000 federal appropriation will pay for an 8,000-foot-long extension to the Donaldson Airstrip that was originally started in 1999.

South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center officials said Monday morning the taxiway is critical for the industrial park’s continued development because it will allow planes to move more freely onto the main runway.

That additional taxi space could lead to development of several parcels in the 2,600-acre complex that could mean jobs in the future, said Jody Bryson, the center’s executive director.  Continue reading...

 

The ‘Southwest Effect’

Entry of airline into GSP market should lower fares, boost options

MAY 21, 2010 9:13 a.m. (0)

Airfares plummeted at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport last year.

The average round-trip ticket price flying out of the Twin Cities was $321.54 during the third quarter of 2009, nearly $151 less than the year before.  Continue reading...

 

GSP plans expansion, renovations

Infrastructure upgrades to help reduce operational costs

JULY 22, 2010 7:11 a.m. (0)

Work could begin as early as late spring or early summer 2011 on an $80 million to $100 million renovation and expansion of the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, officials said this week.

As plans stand now phase one of the work could be done by sometime in 2012.  Continue reading...

 

AIR PLANS

Spartanburg’s largest property prepares for its next phase

AUGUST 18, 2010 8:00 a.m. (0)

A $2.5 million renovation and upgrade project at the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport is the first phase of a project that would see the facility increase its economic impact on the area from $10 million to more than $30 million.

“It’s the kind of thing that is going to require long-term commitment from the city,” said Dick Lewis, director of aviation for the Concord (N.C.) Regional Airport, a city-run facility located on the outskirts of Charlotte.  Continue reading...

 

Sport aircraft grow in popularity here

AUGUST 26, 2010 9:10 a.m. (0)

The boom in light sport aircraft will help fuel growth at the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport, said Darwin Simpson, airport manager.

Light sport aircraft are a Federal Aviation Administration approved class of planes that require less training (a FAA Sport Pilot certificate and a driver’s license is all that’s needed to fly) and medical certification than general aviation aircraft, yet have adequate speed and range to be useful beyond simply being fun to fly.  Continue reading...

 

New security tech for GSP

SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 9:51 a.m. (0)

Fewer checked bags will have to be opened at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport because three new high-tech machines have been installed to screen luggage for explosives.

The new explosives detection machines use CT scan technology and sophisticated algorithms to determine within seconds if a bag contains a potential threat, said Mike Tarmon, the Transportation Security Administration’s assistant federal security director at GSP.

“It’s a win-win,” Tarmon said. “The new machines will help us screen checked baggage more quickly and efficiently and fewer bags will have to be opened and checked by hand.”  Continue reading...

 

The week in pictures

Look who's in the Greenville Journal this week

OCTOBER 24, 2010 8:47 a.m. (0)

Th  Continue reading...

 

Changes ahead at GSP

Vision Airlines announces plans to offer flights here

JANUARY 21, 2011 10:31 a.m. (0)

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport officials did not have to court the latest low-cost airline to announce service.

Vision Airlines, an airline that got its start offering tours of the Grand Canyon and played a part in last summer’s Russian spy swap, contacted GSP about starting service to Destin, Fla.

“That speaks to the strength that this market has,” said Rosylin Weston, GSP spokeswoman.  Continue reading...

 

Southwest reports 'solid bookings' for GSP flights

Service will begin March 13

FEBRUARY 11, 2011 9:55 a.m. (0)

Southwest Airline’s bookings ahead the March 13 inauguration of service from Greenville-Spartanburg and Charleston “look very strong,” said Gary Kelly, the airline’s top officer.

“We think South Carolina is going to be a wonderful addition to our route,” he told a news conference at the 122nd annual meeting and dinner of Greenville Chamber at the Carolina First Center Tuesday.

Kelly, who is Southwest’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, was the Chamber’s keynote speaker.  Continue reading...

 

Great expectations

As Southwest begins its air operations here, what's in store for the economy, businesses and travelers?

MARCH 10, 2011 1:12 p.m. (0)

Not much is expected of Southwest Airlines.  Not much, just this:

It will force lower fares of all airlines. No longer will GSP be one of the nation’s most expensive airports to use. Charlotte and Atlanta beware.

It will improve service of all airlines.  Those little commuter planes.  The inexplicable cancellation of flights.  Fees on baggage.  Nothing to snack on.  All that, history.  Continue reading...

 

Southwest arrives

A plane pull, pep band and a mascot, they’ll all help welcome the airline during weekend celebration

MARCH 10, 2011 1:33 p.m. (0)

Southwest Airlines and Upstate community and business leaders will be doing a lot of celebrating this weekend to commemorate the historic arrival of the low-cost carrier to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.

The weekend includes private receptions, a plane pull, a progressive dinner in downtown Greenville, a community service project, First Flight certificates and a round of media conferences.

The service project, a signature event of Southwest’s entering a new market, will be tree plantings in Greenville and Spartanburg counties. Perhaps the most sentimental of the events will be the planting of a tree at GSP at the beginning of a Monday media conference in honor of Roger Milliken. Milliken was the only chairman of the airport commission until his death this past December. The tree plantings are symbolic of GSP and Southwest planting new roots together.  Continue reading...

 

Southwest arrives, now what?

Airline off to a good start in the Upstate  

MARCH 17, 2011 9:54 a.m. (0)

See slideshow above for photos of activities surrounding Southwest's arrival

Greenville residents may want to send thank you notes to the folks in Panama City, Fla.  Continue reading...

 

Here come the sky lots

Increase in passenger traffic at GSP causes parking shortage

JUNE 30, 2011 11:44 a.m. (0)

Greenville-International Airport officials said landing Southwest Airlines would bring passengers who had been traveling to Atlanta and Charlotte because of cheaper airfares back to the Upstate.

Numbers show they were right.

GSP saw an increase in passenger traffic for the third consecutive month.  Continue reading...

 

The happ(ier) traveler

It’s the aim for GSP’s $102 million project set to begin later this year

JANUARY 5, 2012 2:04 p.m. (0)

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport will celebrate its golden anniversary this year with a $102 million terminal renovation project designed to make travel easier and more efficient for passengers.

“The airport has proven over the test of time that it was the right idea at the right time,” said Rosylin Weston, airport spokeswoman. “The terminal renovation is the right idea at the right time.”

It was the idea of the late textile magnate Roger Milliken and Greenville builder Charlie Daniel to transform farmland outside of Greer into a single airport serving both Greenville and Spartanburg.  Continue reading...

 

Work on Greenville’s newest park will begin in May

Fundraising to continue as grading begins on Downtown Airport park

APRIL 26, 2012 11:27 a.m. (0)

Kids and airplanes are a natural combination, and a new park planned for the Greenville Downtown Airport will have both.

Grading for the approximately 1.5 acre park next to the Runway Café will begin in May, said Lara Kaufman, marketing director for the airport.  Continue reading...