Posted on Oct 13, 2010 - 11:01 PM

Air Service Update Yields Positive News for Growth of Myrtle Beach International Airport

As the U.S. airline industry remains stagnant, Myrtle Beach International Airport has become a notable exception and is in prime position to sustain its impressive growth in 2010, according to national and local aviation officials who convened at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes Tuesday.

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the Aviation Service Task Force co-hosted a Grand Strand air service update at the Marina Inn earlier this week, where Myrtle Beach International Airport Director Michael La Pier gave an update on the airport expansion project highlighting the airport’s objectives for the future, and the importance of air service to the area. La Pier talked about the new terminal construction, emphasizing that construction rates will not carry over into the airport rate structure, and it will enhance the traveling public’s experience in Myrtle Beach.

Other information La Pier shared included:

Enplanements are up significantly over last year, putting the airport on track to reach over 850,000 enplaned passengers for FY 2010.
Costs per enplanements have decreased 30 percent since 2006, when the community started actively working on air service development
In 2010 alone, two new carriers (American Eagle and Porter) and six new non-stop markets were added.
Myrtle Beach International Airport has increased capacity to key markets such as Atlanta, La Guardia, Atlantic City and Boston.

Following La Pier’s presentation, meeting attendees heard the latest information on national air service trends and how they relate to the Myrtle Beach Area from Michael Boyd of the Boyd Group International, Inc., a consulting and aviation research firm.

Other information Boyd shared included:

The airline industry is not expanding in the U.S., and won’t for the next two years. U.S. airline systems are not adding net-new airplanes in any numbers.
There’s not a lot of opportunity for adding new service, but Myrtle Beach is an exception.
The nation is up 2.4 percent in total departure capacity while Myrtle Beach is up 30.1 percent.
Myrtle Beach is unique – air service from major population centers, point-to-point, focused on specific leisure demand (Grand Strand beaches and golf courses), is critical.
The airport will likely sustain 30 percent growth in the second half of the year based on a report released by the airport showing inbound passenger numbers were up 31.9 percent in September compared to the same month last year.

Frans Mustert, Chairman of the Aviation Service Task Force, was pleased with the news delivered by both La Pier and Boyd.

“If the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the county and the city of Myrtle Beach continue to work together like they have, then we can work miracles. It is evident by what is shown in the figures from this past year alone. Hopefully, we’ll continue on this course,” said Mustert.

Boyd is president and co-founder of Boyd Group International, Inc., and a well-known expert in futurist aviation issues. He is often called upon by national media to provide input on trends affecting airlines, airports and aircraft manufacturers. He has directed hundreds of projects for clients ranging from smaller airports to global companies like General Electric and Delta Airlines.