Board flags declining general‑aviation operations at Hilton Head and steep local fuel prices compared with ARW

During committee reports a member of the Hilton Head Improvement Committee raised a multi‑year decline in general aviation (GA) operations at Hilton Head and asked the board whether it wants GA activity to grow over time.

The committee member reported that GA operations numbered approximately 26,500 in 2021, fell after the COVID year, were about 20,800 in 2023 and that the first two months of the current year were under 3,000—levels below recent years. The member noted that charter flight activity has increased but that GA operations and FBO/flight‑school revenue have trended downward.

The committee member suggested the board examine why pilots and GA operators might be selecting nearby airports over Hilton Head and to compare fuel pricing at neighboring fields. Another board member pointed out that fuel prices at Hilton Head appeared to be roughly $3 per gallon higher than at ARW and described Hilton Head’s price as the highest within a roughly 300‑mile radius; staff noted the board does not directly control fuel pricing at the Hilton Head FBO (the county owns the FBO at ARW but leases the Hilton Head FBO to a third party).

Board members discussed the importance of monitoring operations and fuel prices as part of broader efforts to attract GA traffic; they also noted that runway projects and operational scheduling could affect GA business and that data from surrounding airports should be examined to understand competitive factors.

Ending: Board asked staff to keep monitoring GA operations, fuel pricing and regional comparisons and to return with more complete data for discussion.