Aeronautics Commission asks lawmakers for $94.65 million in recurring funds for commercial airports

The Aeronautics Commission told the House Ways and Means Transportation and Regulatory Budget Subcommittee that it is seeking $94,650,000 in recurring state funding to support capital projects at commercial-service airports across South Carolina.

The request was presented at the subcommittee meeting chaired by Heather Crawford. An Aeronautics Commission representative said the figure is adjusted from last year’s $100 million request to account for the $5.35 million recurring appropriation the commission received last year and other budget realities.

The commission framed the request as targeted to commercial airports, which it said drive tourism, cargo and workforce access. “This year's request is $94,650,000 recurring for commercial service airport development,” the presenter said, and described an allocation method that would use an equation based on enplanements and cargo and allow a two-wave distribution with a year-end competitive round for remaining funds.

Why it matters: the commission reported that passenger enplanements are up 8% statewide — record levels since 2022 — while construction costs remain elevated and FAA funding has not kept pace, reducing grant buying power. The presenter told members the State Aviation Fund awarded 85 grants last year totaling $31.2 million that leveraged roughly $60 million in federal funding, and commercial airports managed about $25 million in additional federal-only grants.

Committee members pressed for detail on metrics and distribution. The presenter clarified that the enplanement figure measures one-way passenger enplanements (airports’ standard metric). Representative Long asked whether federal matches are being missed because of insufficient state match capacity; the presenter said he was not aware of missed federal opportunities but offered to follow up with airport operators.

The presenter also described two smaller capital requests: roughly $900,000 to complete exterior painting and $700,000 to complete a roof replacement, both with contingency amounts included. On staffing, the commission said it operates with 14 authorized full-time positions (11 filled) and is reclassifying one vacancy into an aircraft mechanic succession role to address upcoming retirements.

Fleet and asset note: the commission reported purchasing a 2018 King Air 350i for about $6.3 million and said it has attempted to sell a second state aircraft in multiple appraisals and will relist with a lower asking price to complete a replacement plan.

Next steps: the commission asked the subcommittee to consider the recurring capital request and other priorities; the subcommittee did not take a formal vote during the session. The hearing recessed and the subcommittee reconvened the following morning.