Flight Operations Numbers Down At Beaufort County Airports

Recent flight operations counts at two coastal South Carolina airports have revealed that area air traffic has slipped to the lowest levels recorded in several years, supporting the contention that economic conditions are indeed taking their toll on recreational general aviation.

Contributing to the lower statistics at Hilton Head Island Airport (HXD) is a cutback in scheduled Delta Air Lines flights since last November, according to the Island Packet. County airport director Paul Andres confirmed a similar downturn in pleasure flying. "Guys who fly recreationally aren't flying as much anymore," he said.

Official flight counts at HXD show a drop of nearly 10 percent from last year, with passenger totals down by a similar amount compared to this same time last year -- the lowest since September of 2005. Other surveys of area airports suggest their numbers have dropped as much as 10 to 30 percent.

The control tower at Beaufort County Airport (ARW) on Lady's Island estimates an even greater slowdown of activity. Although last year's tally isn't released yet, airport supervisor Joel Phillips said operations are down by as much as 50 percent compared to 2008.

Phillips attributes most of the change to a conscious effort by pilots to reduce expenses, mostly on fuel. But the biggest surprise is that even though air traffic has diminished, county Airports Board chairman Pete Buchanan said "it appears both airports are not losing money."

Although the county's financial totals from last year are still forthcoming, Buchanan asserted, "They're not making much money, but they aren't losing any."

FMI: http://co.beaufort.sc.us