"South Carolina airport growth decision pending"

Friday, July 18, 2003

Airport growth decision pending
Committee leans toward new site
'We need to make the decision and move on to making this a reality.'
By David Klepper
The Myrtle Beach (SC) Sun News


Horry County officials meet today to choose a future for Myrtle Beach
International Airport - to either expand the existing terminal or build a
14-gate terminal across the runway from it.

After months of discussion, most of members of County Council's Ad Hoc
Airport Committee say they now support the new terminal plan. Cost
differences are negligible, they say, and expanding the existing site would
take longer and could cripple daily operations at the airport.

The decision will set the tone for the Grand Strand's air travel for the
next two decades. A bigger terminal will relieve congestion at the current
site and prepare for expanded air service - a long-sought goal of the
tourism industry.

"This is one of the biggest decisions the county needs to make," said County
Councilwoman Liz Gilland. Gilland is not a member of the ad hoc committee
but has attended its meetings.

The council oversees the airport and will vote on any final recommendation.

"We need to make the decision and move on to making this a reality," Gilland
said.

The new terminal plan has been in the works for years, and Horry County
Airports Director Bob Kemp said the terminal should open in 2007.

But earlier this year, some officials questioned the plan, saying an
expansion of the existing terminal could be less expensive and more
practical.

However, a study released last week endorsed the new terminal plan, called
the west-side plan by officials. A terminal on the west side would cost
about the same as an expansion and be more efficient and conducive to
airport growth.

Some officials who wanted to reconsider expansion say they may reluctantly
support the new terminal project.

"The cards that we've been dealt are sending us to the west side," said
County Councilman Mark Lazarus, who called for the study.

Once the site is picked, the next step is ensuring that the money will be
there to pay for the project.

The current plan calls for a combination of Federal Aviation Administration
money and revenue from fees paid by airlines and passengers. But no one
knows how much the FAA is willing to pay or how realistic it is to expect
passengers and airlines to pay the rest.

The new terminal's estimated cost is $109 million.

"I don't care where we put it," said Councilman Marion Foxworth. "I'm
concerned about how we're going to pay for it."


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