Three construction projects are keeping things busy and noisy around Charleston International Airport — but the growing pains soon will give way to huge expansions, upgraded facilities and a big economic impact.
Two of the construction projects are led by and for the airport that many know as CHS. Ongoing are an expansion to add a third jet concourse and a new parking garage.
“These projects position CHS to meet the needs of the next generation of travelers and businesses,” CHS executive Spencer Pryor told the Charleston City Paper. “We are not simply building for today’s demand. We are preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.
“Charleston is growing, and CHS must grow with it,” he added. “Concourse C and Parking Garage 3 are important pieces of that vision. Together, they will strengthen our airport, enhance the passenger experience and help ensure that Charleston remains a destination where people want to live, work, visit and invest.”
Nearby, a Boeing site expansion will bring hundreds of additional jobs and increase assembly of the company’s popular 787 Dreamliner.
Concourse supports growth
The airport’s Concourse C project has already completed structural work and is transitioning to interior finishes and building systems, Pryor said. The $110 million project will add more than 40,000 square feet of passenger space and feature four new gates and several traveler amenities.
The project will also introduce 23,000 square feet of operations space and will be equipped with international arrival capabilities. The gates will connect directly to CHS’s federal inspection station for seamless processing of international flights.
Pryor said the concourse seeks to match a growing demand for additional capacity and modern facilities as the region continues to attract international attention from businesses and visitors. But traveling residents will benefit, too.
“The impact will be equally significant,” he said. “The expanded concourse will provide a more comfortable, efficient and modern experience, with additional space to accommodate passengers and aircraft.”
Parking garage houses thousands
The new, six-level $348 million parking garage will feature more than 7,200 parking spaces, with 5,164 dedicated for private vehicles and 2,036 for rental cars. The addition of a consolidated rental car facility will streamline the rental process, allowing travelers to pick up and drop off rental cars in one location.
“These projects are strategic investments in the future of the Charleston region, strengthening our ability to accommodate continued growth, support economic development and provide a better experience for the millions of travelers who choose to fly through CHS each year,” Pryor said.
Structural work on the parking garage is mostly finished, with construction now focused on indoor facilities. The garage will house a customer service building, rental operator offices, fueling facilities and a car wash.
Both airport construction projects are on track for completion in early summer 2027, with some final touches to be done over time.
$1 billion Boeing upgrade
Boeing first announced plans to expand and upgrade its North Charleston campus in 2024 with a $1 billion investment that is expected to bring more than 1,000 jobs over the next five years. Boeing currently employs more than 8,200 people.
A new final assembly building that is similar in size to the current building — roughly 1.2 million square feet — will include places to produce jets, production support and office space. It will also provide improved amenities and infrastructure, such as a fire station and cafeteria, to nearby partners.
“Boeing is proud to share the space in North Charleston with Charleston International Airport and Joint Base Charleston,” said Boeing spokeswoman Libba Holland. “We work closely with local partners to operate responsibly and in a way that supports the surrounding community.”
The expansion is meant to support a growing demand for Boeing’s Dreamliners. With more than 2,450 orders from over 90 global customers, the 787 Dreamliner is the bestselling passenger widebody airplane in history, Holland said.
The campus is set to increase production to a rate of 10 Dreamliners per month by the end of the year.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.
