Would Open Airport To Larger Aircraft

A project to extend the main runway at Spartanburg Memorial Airport (KSPA) in Spartanburg, SC has begun, helping the airport attract larger aircraft and more people.

Television station WSPA reports that the $30 million project will also make the airport FAA compliant.

Airport director Terry Connorton told the station that the last time the runway was resurfaced was in the '80s. Since then, financial considerations have prevented additional improvement until the FAA awarded an AIP grant to the city to fund the renovations.

Connorton said that part of the grant will be used to improve navigational lights at the airport.

"Lengthening the runway will help meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements, extending the safety zones by about 1,000 feet and 600 feet on either end of the runway," Connorton said. "I'm trying to get this airport a lot of more involved in tourism."

Currently, the airport is used primarily by GA and corporate aircraft. The runway extension will open the door to small commercial flights in the future.

To accommodate the work, the runway will be closed from June 18 to August 23 this year, and temporarily shortened by 1,000 feet during the project. Larger planes will be rerouted to Greenville-Spartanburg International or Downtown Greenville Airport.

The project should be completed by December 1.

FMI: Original report