Myrtle Beach International Airport

An airport was started on property from a former army base which the federal government transferred in 1948 through the Surplus Property Act. The city of Myrtle Beach decided not to use the property for an airport but funds from the property still had to be used for an airport. From 1958 to 1976 these funds went to Horry County Jetport in Crescent Beach, which moved{{cite news|url=https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/politics-government/article250737049.html#storylink=mainstage_card4|title=Myrtle Beach to feds: We don't owe Horry County any campground money|last=Shoemaker|first=J. Dale|work=The Sun News|date=April 16, 2021}} to the northeast part of the base after an agreement for joint civilian and military use of the base. In 1977, the City of Myrtle Beach annexed the area of Myrtle Beach Airport.{{cite web|url=https://www.afcec.af.mil/shared/media/document/afd-120726-075.pdf|title=Former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Community Relations Plan|publisher=United States Air Force|access-date=June 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302163339/http://www.afcec.af.mil/shared/media/document/afd-120726-075.pdf|archive-date=March 2, 2013|url-status=live}} Until 1993, both MYR and Myrtle Beach AFB jointly used the main runway; this limited civil operations to 30 landings per day and led to a local business movement to build an entirely new airport.{{cite news |title= Task force calls for 'international airport' in Myrtle Beach |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pdkyAAAAIBAJ&pg=1549%2C1475513 |work= Wilmington Morning Star |date= September 18, 1987 |access-date= July 13, 2014}}

In the 1980s, the airport was served by Piedmont Airlines mainline aircraft (later acquired by USAir) and by Delta and Eastern commuter aircraft.{{cite news |title= Two Carriers Want To Land Large Jets in Myrtle Beach |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xXhJAAAAIBAJ&dq=piedmont%20airlines%20myrtle%20beach&pg=2493%2C241232 |publisher= The News and Courier |location=Charleston, S.C. |date= February 2, 1989 |access-date= July 13, 2014}} {{dead link|date=March 2021}}

In 1993, the Air Force closed the base as a result of BRAC 1991. The runway and other portions of the former military flight line were then turned over to the Horry County Department of Airports.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afcec.af.mil/Portals/17/documents/BRAC/Myrtle-Beach/afd-120726-075.pdf|title=FORMER MYRTLE BEACH AIR FORCE BASE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN}}

American Eagle became a major carrier at MYR in the early 1990s, operating multiple daily ATR 72 flights to the American Airlines hub at Raleigh–Durham International Airport. By late 1994 this route accounted for as much as 12% of the airport's passenger traffic; however, American abruptly ended its American Eagle hub at Raleigh–Durham in December 1994, cancelling all service to MYR and other secondary airports in the region.{{cite news |title= Airport officials aren't sweating airline's decision to end service |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ArQeAAAAIBAJ&pg=3139%2C6191239 |publisher= Spartanburg Herald-Journal |date= December 12, 1994 |access-date= July 13, 2014}} American returned to Myrtle Beach in 2010 with a seasonal service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.{{cite web |title= American Eagle Airlines Launches Nonstop Jet Service Between Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport |url= http://www.sys-con.com/node/1346235 |publisher= PR Newswire |date= April 6, 2010 |access-date= July 13, 2014 |archive-date= July 14, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140714225555/http://www.sys-con.com/node/1346235 |url-status= dead }}

On April 1, 1996, Myrtle Beach Airport became an international airport. A new international terminal had its grand opening August 21 of that year, and a new logo was unveiled "to reflect the architectural design of the airport's terminal and the influence of the beach by showing a pained window and a palm tree in blues and greens".{{cite news |last= Merx |first= Katie |title= Airport Has Global Outlook: International Terminal Open for Business |publisher= The Sun News |location= Myrtle Beach, S.C. |date= August 22, 1996 }}

The airport served as the main hub for Hooters Air from 2003 until 2006. The airport authority offered discounted hangar space and other undisclosed benefits to Hooters Air operator Pace Airlines in an effort to relocate its operating base from Smith Reynolds Airport in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.{{cite news |title= Myrtle Beach woos N.C. airline |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DrgsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4442%2C2704777 |publisher= Wilmington Morning Star |date= February 27, 2003}} However, Pace decided to keep its base (also used for charter operations) in Winston-Salem.{{cite news |title= Hooters Air flying to Myrtle Beach |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-jofAAAAIBAJ&pg=3848%2C4118787 |publisher= Spartanburg Herald-Journal |date= December 29, 2002}}

In 2006, AirTran Airways discontinued its service to Atlanta; it was the fourth-largest airline serving Myrtle Beach International at the time.{{cite news |last= Bryant |first= Dawn |title= AirTran Departs Myrtle Beach |url= http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/11/19/3847573/rebound-continues-at-myrtle-beach.html |work= The Sun News |location= Myrtle Beach, S.C. |publisher= AviationPros.com |date= December 22, 2006 |access-date= December 10, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131208231653/http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/11/19/3847573/rebound-continues-at-myrtle-beach.html |archive-date= December 8, 2013 |url-status= dead }}

Direct Air connected a number of airports to Myrtle Beach from 2007 until 2012, when it abruptly filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased operations.{{cite news |last= Wren |first= David |title= Bank going after Myrtle Beach-based Direct Air's former owners for $25 million debt |url= http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/11/13/3835063/bank-going-after-myrtle-beach.html |work= The Sun News |location= Myrtle Beach, S.C. |date= November 13, 2013 |access-date= December 10, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131213002457/http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/11/13/3835063/bank-going-after-myrtle-beach.html |archive-date= December 13, 2013 |url-status= dead }} The failure of Direct Air caused a slump in passenger traffic at Myrtle Beach,{{cite news |title= Myrtle Beach Int'l Airport lands new Canadian carrier |url= http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20130211/ARTICLES/130219967 |newspaper= StarNews |date= February 11, 2013 |access-date= December 10, 2013 |archive-date= December 15, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131215054412/http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20130211/ARTICLES/130219967 |url-status= dead }} which declined 16% in 2012 but rebounded in 2013. WestJet began service to Toronto in summer 2013 with a revenue guarantee from Horry County, but its passenger numbers fell short of expectations, forcing the county to pay WestJet around $570,000.{{cite news |last= Bryant |first= Dawn |title= Rebound continues at Myrtle Beach International Airport, momentum expected to continue into 2014 |url= http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/11/19/3847573/rebound-continues-at-myrtle-beach.html |work= The Sun News |location= Myrtle Beach, S.C. |date= November 19, 2013 |access-date= December 10, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131208231653/http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/11/19/3847573/rebound-continues-at-myrtle-beach.html |archive-date= December 8, 2013 |url-status= dead }}

The airport was a designated launch abort site for the Space Shuttle, but was never used.{{cite web |title= Space Shuttle Emergency Landing Sites |url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/facility/sts-els.htm |publisher= GlobalSecurity.org |access-date= July 13, 2014}}

On July 26, 2022, it was announced that Indianapolis-based Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy would start hosting flight training operations. Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy instructs aeronaut hopefuls on how to pass and exceed the expectations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for commercial pilots, training up to 300 students each year. Negotiations are currently underway between LIFT, MYR, the City of Myrtle Beach about a suitable long-term facility for the flight training program. LIFT plans to begin operations in Myrtle Beach as early as October 2022, sending flight training students from its Indianapolis branch to Myrtle Beach.{{cite web |last1=Duncan |first1=Chase |title=Myrtle Beach International Airport to host flight school for commercial pilots |date=July 26, 2022 |url=https://www.myhorrynews.com/news/local/horry_county/myrtle-beach-international-airport-to-host-flight-school-for-commercial-pilots/article_d1ebfc50-0d08-11ed-a232-87a40b9d34a4.html |publisher=My Horry News |access-date=27 July 2022}}

In 2008 two renovations took place in the terminal building. In July 2010, the FAA approved a $4.50 passenger facilities charge on all airline tickets to and from MYR in order to defray part of the cost for the terminal upgrade.{{cite news |title= Myrtle Beach airport ticket fee to increase: Cash will help fund expansion |url= http://www.airportbusiness.com/web/online/Top-News-Headlines/Myrtle-Beach-airport-ticket-fee-to-increase--Cash-will-help-fund-expansion/1$38016 |work= The Sun News |location= Myrtle Beach, S.C. |date= January 12, 2011 |access-date= May 22, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110723171418/http://www.airportbusiness.com/web/online/Top-News-Headlines/Myrtle-Beach-airport-ticket-fee-to-increase--Cash-will-help-fund-expansion/1$38016 |archive-date= July 23, 2011 |url-status= dead }}

On March 16, 2021, it was reported that Myrtle Beach International Airport was working on a 20-year plan that would more than double the number of gates at the airport, however details remain to be worked out. There are currently two proposals for terminal expansions, which both would more than double the 11 gates the airport has now. One of the plans call for 23 gates, and the other calls for 25 and would be built on the east side of the airport. The plan has three possible layouts for new parking with one being a parking garage on the east side. One of the other major addition includes more international flights and there have been talks with two different international airlines. Another possible addition would be providing space for a major shipping distribution center like FedEx or Amazon. The 20-year plan has been finalized and may be presented before the Federal Aviation Administration by the end of 2021.{{cite web |last1=Wilcox |first1=Zach |title=Myrtle Beach International Airport plans to double its terminals by 2038 |date=March 17, 2021 |url=https://www.wmbfnews.com/2021/03/17/myrtle-beach-international-airport-plans-double-its-terminals-by/ |publisher=WMBF-TV |access-date=17 March 2021}}

However, on March 18, 2021, airport officials clarified the airport's immediate future plans stating a presentation showing the expansion of terminals as well as parking lots was a long-term concept, but no expansions will be implemented in the near future. These documents show the early stages of a legally required 20-year master plan, that began in 2018 but was put on pause due to the pandemic.{{cite web |last1=Papantonis |first1=Nicholas |title=Expansion not a part of Myrtle Beach airport immediate plans |date=March 18, 2021 |url=https://wpde.com/news/local/expansion-not-a-part-of-myrtle-beach-airport-immediate-plans |publisher=WPDE-TV |access-date=19 March 2021}}

On April 8, 2022, it was announced that the airport planned a $35 million expansion that will be primarily funded by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was signed into law by President Joe Biden. The proposed renovations would include adding 4-5 new gates onto the end of the "A" gate that is located on the south side of the building, more fuel storage that will add 100,000 gallons in fuel storage capacity in case of future supply crunches, security checkpoint that will alleviate the pressure created by the current TSA bottleneck, and add more space for restaurants and retail.{{cite web |last1=Karacostas |first1=Chase |last2=Shoemaker |first2=J. Dale |title=Myrtle Beach airport unveils $35M terminal expansion hoped to alleviate lines, crowds |url=https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/business/tourism/article260207775.html#storylink=cpy |publisher=The Sun News |access-date=9 April 2022}}

On April 30, 2023, a planned terminal expansion project adding six new gates to terminal A was announced. The proposed expansion would bring the total number of gates to 18 at the airport and is part of an effort to keep up with growth, as well as the travelers, including the newly completed parking canopy over the rental car lot. The South Carolina Aeronautics Commission contributed $8 million to the project. An airport official stated that the projects total cost is still being finalized but are hoping that construction will begin in early 2024 with the project to be completed in 2025.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-30 |title=Myrtle Beach International Airport terminal expansion will add 6 new gates |url=https://www.wbtw.com/news/grand-strand/myrtle-beach/myrtle-beach-international-airport-terminal-expansion-will-add-6-new-gates/ |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=WBTW |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Vazquez-Juarbe |first=Joel |date=2023-04-28 |title=MYR to expand and add 6 gates to terminal |url=https://wpde.com/news/local/myrtle-beach-international-airport-expanding-terminal-myr-horry-county-interior-upgrades-travel-airlines-tourism-passangers-vacation-flights |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=WPDE |language=en}}

The airport covers {{convert |3795 |acre}} at an elevation of {{convert |25 |ft}}. Its single runway, 18/36, is {{convert |9503 |ft |abbr=on}} long and {{convert |150 |ft |abbr=on}} wide.{{cite web|url=https://skyvector.com/airport/MYR/Myrtle-Beach-International-Airport|title=MYR airport data at skyvector.com|website=skyvector.com}} FAA data effective January 23, 2025. The airport entrance is on Harrelson Boulevard.{{cite news |last1=Bryant |first1=Dawn |last2=Saldinger |first2=Ava |last3=Spring |first3=Jake |title=Top business stories to watch in 2011 in Myrtle Beach area |url=http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/01/02/1894545/11.html |work=The Sun News |location=Myrtle Beach, S.C. |date=January 2, 2011 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105181829/http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/01/02/1894545/11.html |archive-date=January 5, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}

The Terminal Building is named for Myrtle Beach's first mayor, Dr. Wilford Leroy Harrelson, who served from March 1938 to December 1939 and again from January 1942 to December 1943. The city bought land for the airport during his first term, and the terminal was named in his honor.

MYR has a helipad primarily used by charter tour companies at the base of runway 36.

In the year ending April 30, 2023, the airport had 149,968 aircraft operations, average 411 per day: 55% air taxi, 22% airline, 18% general aviation, and 5% military. 54 aircraft were then based at the airport: 42 single-engine, 5 multi-engine, 1 jet, and 6 helicopter.

The airport had an air cargo building at the entrance of the airport; the building has closed and is mainly used by airport maintenance for storage.

{{Airport destination list

| Allegiant Air | Albany, Allentown, Cincinnati, Grand Rapids,{{cite web| title=Allegiant Air to add 3 new routes from Myrtle Beach International Airport| publisher=Allegiant Air| url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/allegiant-air-to-add-3-new-routes-from-myrtle-beach-international-airport/ar-AA1umCFr |access-date=2025-01-25}} Newburgh, Niagara Falls{{cite web |title=Allegiant Air 1H25 Network Expansion |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241126-g41h25 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=26 November 2024}}
Seasonal: Akron/Canton,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Belleville/St. Louis,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Clarksburg,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Columbus–Rickenbacker,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Fort Wayne,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Hagerstown,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Harrisburg,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Huntington,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Indianapolis,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Lexington,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Louisville,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Pittsburgh,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Plattsburgh, Syracuse

| {{nowrap|American Airlines}} | Charlotte
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Dallas/Fort Worth{{cn|date=May 2025}}

| American Eagle | Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington–National
Seasonal: Boston,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Dallas/Fort Worth,{{cn|date=May 2025}} New York–LaGuardia (resumes June 7, 2025){{cite web |title=American Resumes 2 New York LaGuardia Domestic Routes in NS25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250219-aans25lga |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=19 February 2025}}

| Avelo Airlines | Manchester (NH),{{cite web |last=Fox |first=Allison |title=Avelo Airlines Just Announced 7 New Routes — Including 2 to the Caribbean |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/avelo-airlines-north-carolina-jamaica-dominican-republic-8756133 |website=Travel+Leisure|date=December 4, 2024|access-date=December 4, 2024}} New Haven{{Cite web|url=https://www.aveloair.com/route-announcements/avelo-airlines-significantly-expands-service-from-connecticut-to-four-popular-southeastern-u-s-destinations|title = Avelo Airlines Significantly Expands Service from Connecticut to Four Popular Southeastern U.S. Destinations|date = February 16, 2022}}
Seasonal: Wilmington (DE){{cn|date=May 2025}}

| Breeze Airways | New Orleans (begins September 4, 2025),{{cite web|title=Breeze Airways Expands Across the United States with New Routes to Fort Lauderdale, Salisbury, Akron-Canton, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Key West, Pensacola, and More Starting This Fall|url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/breeze-airways-expands-across-the-united-states-with-new-routes-to-fort-lauderdale-salisbury-akron-canton-daytona-beach-jacksonville-key-west-pensacola-and-more-starting-this-fall/|website=Travel and Tour World|date=May 7, 2025|access-date=May 7, 2025}} Providence,{{Cite web|url=https://pbn.com/breeze-airways-adds-nonstop-flight-from-t-f-green-to-myrtle-beach/|title = Breeze Airways adds nonstop flight from T.F. Green to Myrtle Beach|date = November 8, 2022}} Rochester (NY) (begins October 2, 2025), Tampa,{{cite web|url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/tampa-international-airport-routes-nonstop-service-vermont-flight-travel|title=Breeze Airways to offer new nonstop service from Tampa to Vermont, adds 4 total routes|website=FOX13TampaBay|date=November 8, 2023|access-date=November 8, 2023}} White Plains
Seasonal: Akron/Canton,{{cite web|url= https://www.wbtw.com/news/grand-strand/myrtle-beach/breeze-airways-adding-new-routes-from-myrtle-beach-airport-starting-in-june/|title=Breeze Airways adding new routes from Myrtle Beach airport starting in June|website=wbtw|date=April 24, 2024|access-date=April 24, 2024}} Charleston (WV),{{Cite web|url=https://www.wboy.com/news/west-virginia/new-flight-from-charleston-wv-to-myrtle-beach-starting-in-spring/|title = New flight from Charleston, WV to Myrtle Beach starting in spring|date = November 8, 2022}} Hartford,{{cite web|url=https://wpde.com/news/local/breeze-airways-announces-new-route-hartford-connecticut-myrtle-beach-seasonal-service-airline-service-low-cost-fares-providence-rhode-island-charleston-west-virginia-tampa-florida-south-carolina-mys-international-airport-family-seating-cancellation-fees|title=Breeze Airways announces new low-fare route from Myrtle Beach to Hartford, CT|date=January 23, 2024|access-date=January 23, 2024}} Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Detroit
Seasonal: Boston,{{cite web |title=Delta NS23 Domestic Network Additions – 24DEC22 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221226-dlns23us |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=26 December 2022}} Minneapolis/St. Paul,{{cn|date=May 2025}} New York–LaGuardia{{cn|date=May 2025}}

| Delta Connection | New York–LaGuardia

| Frontier Airlines | Seasonal: Long Island/Islip,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Philadelphia,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Trenton (begins July 10, 2025){{cite web|title= Frontier Adds Baltimore-Chicago, Trenton-Myrtle Beach|url= https://www.airwaysmag.com/new-post/frontier-baltimore-chicago-trenton-myrtle-beach |website=Airways |access-date=May 6, 2025}}

| Southwest Airlines | Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Nashville
Seasonal: Columbus–Glenn,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Dallas–Love{{cn|date=May 2025}}, Denver,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Kansas City,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Pittsburgh,{{cn|date=May 2025}} St. Louis{{cn|date=May 2025}}

| Spirit Airlines | Atlantic City, Baltimore,{{cite web |title=Spirit Airlines Spring 2024 Domestic Routes Addition Summary – 21JAN24 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240123-nkns24us |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=23 January 2024}} Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Nashville,https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/03/08/spirit-airlines-expands-with-20-new-routes-cuts-5-destinations/Newark, New York–LaGuardia, Orlando
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare, Cleveland{{cn|date=May 2025}}, Detroit,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Hartford,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Indianapolis,{{Cite web|url=https://www.wthr.com/article/travel/new-flights-coming-to-indianapolis-international-airport-2024-ind-travel/531-e1297372-4a68-4d05-b1a9-c861fff5ec31|title=Indy airport offering new routes for 2024|date=March 5, 2024 |publisher=WTHR|accessdate=10 March 2024}} Kansas City,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Latrobe/Pittsburgh,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Louisville,{{cite web |title=Spirit Airlines NS25 Network Additions – 09MAR25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250310-nkns25 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=10 March 2025}} Pittsburgh{{cn|date=May 2025}}

| {{nowrap|Sun Country Airlines}} | Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul{{cn|date=May 2025}}

| United Airlines | Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Denver,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Newark{{cite web |title=United Schedules Additional Seasonal Domestic Routes in NS24 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240219-uans24dom |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=19 February 2024}}

| United Express | Newark
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare,{{cn|date=May 2025}} Washington–Dulles{{cn|date=May 2025}}

}}

{{Airport destination list

| FedEx Express | Columbia (SC)

| UPS Airlines | Columbia (SC)

}}

• On July 23, 1950, a USAF Curtiss C-46 Commando crashed 1.9 miles west of Myrtle Beach AFB when the left aileron detached after takeoff and lost control at an altitude of about 1000–2000 feet. Both wings failed and the aircraft crashed. All four crew and 35 occupants were killed.{{ASN accident|id=19500723-0|title=44-77577|wikibase=no}}

{{Portal|United States|Aviation}}

• List of airports in South Carolina

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://scaeronautics.sc.gov/airportdata.asp?FAAID=MYR Myrtle Beach International (MYR)] at the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission
• [http://www.yelp.com/biz/myrtle-beach-international-airport-myrtle-beach Myrtle Beach International Airport] page at Yelp
• [http://myrtlebeachairportshuttle.com/ Myrtle Beach Airport Shuttle] page at Transportation
• [https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=14/33.6805/-78.9297 Map of the airport] from OpenStreetMap
• {{FAA-diagram|00280}}
• {{FAA-procedures|MYR}}

{{US-airport|MYR}}

{{Myrtle Beach}}

{{Horry County}}

{{Grand Strand transportation}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Airports in South Carolina

Category:Buildings and structures in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Category:Transportation in Horry County, South Carolina

Category:Space Shuttle Emergency Landing Sites