Pitt-Greenville Airport officials outline $33 million in planned projects, cite post-pandemic recovery and growth needs

Airport leaders told the Pitt County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 20 that Pitt-Greenville (PGB) is a significant regional economic engine and outlined capital work anticipated over the next five years.

Dan Mayo, chairman of the Pitt-Greenville Airport Authority, and Bill Hoffler, the airport's executive director, presented figures from a biannual study and the authority's own analysis, saying PGB supports about 1,275 jobs, roughly $91 million in personal income and about $234 million in economic output for the region.

Hoffler summarized past and planned capital investment: "Over the past five years we've done $27,000,000 and over the next five years we're looking to do $33,000,000 in work," he said, noting the airport has relied on federal and state grants for recent hangar construction and other projects and that local share has been zero for the listed capital programs.

Why it matters: Airport officials said sustained air service and additional corporate aviation infrastructure drive revenue for rental cars, parking and fuel sales, and support local employers. Hoffler said the airport recorded more than 18,000 takeoffs and landings last year and runs three daily commercial flights (to Charlotte) via American Airlines; pre-pandemic service included five daily flights.

Planned projects and business prospects: Officials described the "North 24," a 24-acre site to the north of the airfield where the authority expects either six new corporate hangars or a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility. Hoffler said one prior prospect required a 91,000-square-foot hangar and could have employed about 191 people.

Operations and finances: The presentation included revenue breakdowns showing roughly $4 million in annual airport revenue, with fuel sales a key source. Hoffler said the airport has faced a pandemic-related revenue shortfall of roughly $1 million a year and has added a contract chief financial officer and finance staff to develop a sustainability plan.

Board Q&A: Commissioners asked about available hangars (the authority said four hangars are available) and the runway capacity (Hoffler noted the field can accommodate large aircraft including a version of the 757). Hoffler said airport leaders continue airline outreach, expect to meet with carriers next month, and are pursuing both network and leisure service options.

Ending: Airport leaders asked for continued community partnership to support development at PGB; they described planned infrastructure as necessary to compete for corporate aviation tenants and to improve passenger-facing facilities above the floodplain.