Sun, Feb 22, 2009
Flight Operations Numbers Down At Beaufort County Airports
Recent flight operations counts at two coastal South Carolina
airports have revealed that area air traffic has slipped to the
lowest levels recorded in several years, supporting the contention
that economic conditions are indeed taking their toll on
recreational general aviation.
Contributing to the lower statistics at Hilton Head Island
Airport (HXD) is a cutback in scheduled Delta Air Lines flights
since last November, according to the Island Packet. County airport
director Paul Andres confirmed a similar downturn in pleasure
flying. "Guys who fly recreationally aren't flying as much
anymore," he said.
Official flight counts at HXD show a drop of nearly 10 percent
from last year, with passenger totals down by a similar amount
compared to this same time last year -- the lowest since September
of 2005. Other surveys of area airports suggest their numbers have
dropped as much as 10 to 30 percent.
The control tower at Beaufort County Airport (ARW) on Lady's
Island estimates an even greater slowdown of activity. Although
last year's tally isn't released yet, airport supervisor Joel
Phillips said operations are down by as much as 50 percent compared
to 2008.
Phillips attributes most of the change to a conscious effort by
pilots to reduce expenses, mostly on fuel. But the biggest surprise
is that even though air traffic has diminished, county Airports
Board chairman Pete Buchanan said "it appears both airports are not
losing money."
Although the county's financial totals from last year are still
forthcoming, Buchanan asserted, "They're not making much money, but
they aren't losing any."
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