NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Officials at Charleston International Airport say the 2024 Memorial Day holiday travel period will likely see the airport have another record-breaking year.
Spencer Pryor, deputy director of public affairs for the airport, said travel numbers over the holiday weekend were up 27% over the 2023 total.
He said about 110,000 passengers boarded and disembarked at the airport over the Memorial Day holiday, which runs from the Thursday before the holiday through Memorial Day. In 2023, just over 86,000 passengers traveled over the Memorial Day holiday.
Elliot Summey, executive director and CEO of the Charleston County Aviation Authority, said the numbers are incredible but not surprising.
“Memorial Day traditionally marks the start of the summer travel season, with people taking advantage of the long weekend to go on vacation, visit family and friends or simply get away for a little while,” he said.
| Day | 2023 | 2024 | difference. | % difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 8.173 | 10,079 | 1,906 | twenty three% |
| Friday | 7,608 | 11,216 | 3,608 | 47% |
| Saturday | 8,454 | 9,870 | 1,416 | 17% |
| Sunday | 10,746 | 10,552 | -194 | -2% |
| Monday | 8,036 | 12,959 | 4,923 | 61% |
| total | 43,017 | 54,676 | 11,659 | 27% |
Pryor said the entry of ultra-low-cost carriers and established airlines will continue to drive passenger growth as airlines expand service with new routes and bigger aircraft.
“We've seen and been a part of a major shift in travel,” Sammy said. “Charleston is not only a world-class destination for leisure travelers, but it's also the economic growth hub of the Lowcountry and South Carolina.”
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
