NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Charleston International Airport (CHS) marks a significant milestone Sunday, celebrating 95 years since its formation. Established in 1929, CHS has grown to become South Carolina’s largest and busiest airport, playing a vital role in the region’s transportation and economic landscape.
Located in North Charleston, about 12 miles northwest of downtown Charleston, the airport operates as a joint civil-military facility. This unique arrangement is facilitated through a long-standing agreement with the Department of Defense, making the airport one of the oldest civilian-military joint-use airports in the United States. The runways are owned by the U.S. Air Force and Joint Base Charleston, highlighting the airport’s strategic importance and its enduring partnership with the military.
Over the decades, the airport has expanded its facilities and services, becoming a major hub for both domestic and limited international flights. It hosts several major airlines, including American, Delta, Southwest, and United, connecting Charleston to destinations across the country and beyond.