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Hilton Head terminal opens; airport director says operations running smoothly as punch‑list continues
Summary
The Beaufort County airport director reported the Hilton Head Island terminal opened May 1, staff are addressing punch‑list items including a delayed service‑animal relief area, and parking and digital signage work will follow as phase 2 funding is pursued.
The Beaufort County Airports director, Steve, told the board that the new Hilton Head Island terminal (phase 1) officially opened May 1 after a media day and a grand opening, and that operations are running smoothly despite outstanding punch‑list items.
Steve said the airport hosted media tours and interviews ahead of the opening and that community reaction has been positive. "Everything then and everything now is running smooth," he said, adding that routine issues with new equipment have not affected passengers' experience.
The director described remaining work on the punch list, notably a service animal relief area that cannot open until specified walls and a canopy are installed to meet TSA requirements. He projected completion of that service area around June–July, subject to production and delivery of materials.
Steve said the airport elected to use digital advertising inside the terminal but has delayed screen installation until power and data cabling can be completed without damaging new finishes; he expects cost estimates and screen installation in the coming month or two. He also described plans to refinish the old terminal terrazzo floor so the transition between old and new terminals is seamless once phase 2 moves forward.
On parking, Steve outlined a temporary transition with the company Elite: temporary gates and a 90‑day stakeholder transition period to smooth entry and exit patterns, plus a forthcoming website notice with parking policy and rates for both the general aviation and commercial sides. He said some parking upgrades are part of a phase 2 scope that currently lacks full funding and that staff are considering temporary off‑site employee parking to open more customer spaces.
Other project updates included closing out Runway 725 at Buford Executive Airport — staff are finalizing change orders and grants to submit a zero balance to the FAA — and planning work on a parallel taxiway extension where wetlands limit how far construction can extend.
Board members asked about timing for parking gate activation and the new website's rollout. Steve offered to provide more precise schedules offline and said the parking work ties to the scope and funding of phase 2 construction.
The board heard reports on community events the airport supported, including a ribbon cutting and local fundraisers, and on ambassador training: 20 ambassadors are trained and slated to staff the terminal over the summer to help customers navigate the new facility.
The board did not take formal action on phase 2 funding at the meeting; staff indicated those decisions will depend on future budget discussions and grant availability.
