Passenger traffic at Myrtle Beach International Airport grew by 15 percent in 2004, pushing traffic at the airport almost back to pre-Sept. 11, 2001, levels.
The airport, which handled more than 1.52 million passengers last year, is currently the third-busiest in the state behind airports in Charleston and Greenville-Spartanburg.
Myrtle Beach's reputation as a golf destination and its 14 million annual tourists have contributed to the airport's growth, and air traffic is growing so rapidly that the percentage of tourists arriving by car recently fell from 94 percent to 92 percent.
Airport Director Bob Kemp said more moderate growth is expected. Growth this year is expected to be between 7 percent and 8 percent.
Plans for a new airport terminal opposite the runway from the current terminal are in the design stage, with construction expected to begin in early 2006. The $200 million project will include a three-story, 360,000-square-foot terminal with 14 gates and room for expansion. Completion is expected by 2008.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press
