Many people never need a reason to leave Hilton Head Island but now they might have one. Phase one of the terminal expansion project at the Hilton Head Island Airport is complete and summer travelers are in for a treat. It’s expansive, airy, well thought through, shiny, and new.
“It’s kind of hard to believe we’re here,” said Jon Rembold, airports director for Beaufort County. “We broke ground in November of 2023 and then construction started in earnest in February of 2024. So it’s been just over two years from trees and dirt to this gorgeous building.”
Jon Rembold, airports director for Beaufort County, speaks to the media one day before the new terminal opened to the public.
The total project took six years of planning and construction plus a budget of $42 million. The money was secured from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “The beauty of it is we are a county airport but there’s no tax money in the building,” Rembold said. “That also carries through all our projects, payroll, and everything else at the airports. Our team is a county team, and this is a county facility, but all expenses are paid by revenues generated at the airport.”
According to Rembold, Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) is the smallest commercial airport in the country. Sitting on just 200 acres, the airport averages about 300,000 visitors a year, with fewer than 10 departures per day. According to its website, direct flight routes are seasonal with travel to LaGuardia, Charlotte, Atlanta, Newark, Boston, Philadelphia, DC, and Chicago.
During COVID, the island experienced a massive influx of travelers. “We literally had passengers completely filling that (old) building, out the doors, and down the sidewalks waiting to get to TSA,” Rembold said. “We were actually handing out water during the summer to everybody who was standing in line outside.”
The new, spacious terminal opened May 1. With a modern design, high ceilings, and natural light, it offers more than 27,000 square feet and houses three gates. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines each have a dedicated gate.
The new terminal has seating for about 350 people, which is almost triple the old seating capacity. “We have enough (room) to have at least one airplane load from each airline in here at any given time,” Rembold said. “The fire marshal likes us a lot better now.”
The new terminal at Hilton Head Airport opened last month. The project took six years of planning and construction plus a budget of $42 million.
Each gate also includes a modern jet bridge found in most major airports but new to HHH. Previously, passengers had to walk out on the tarmac to an exterior ramp to enter planes. Now, the new jet bridges easily guide passengers from the terminal directly to their aircraft. This upgrade makes flights more accessible for all abilities and eliminates weather concerns.
Passengers will also experience an expanded security area. The original commercial terminal opened in 1995 with four gates prior to the required security procedures being installed after 9/11. As a result, the airport had to get creative on fitting the TSA security process into its existing footprint. About 30% to 40% of the terminal space was needed for TSA, which took the number of operational gates from four to two. Even though they made it work, the area was cramped and led to long lines.
Eventually, a third gate was needed when an additional airline came to HHH. It came in the form of a modular building with three bathrooms and a small concession stand. With the opening of the new terminal, the older building is no longer needed and will be re-purposed elsewhere in Beaufort County.
The new TSA security layout has a larger queuing area, two ID checkpoints, two security imaging lines, and a space for securing belongings after completing security. TSA agents also have their own internal training room and break areas in the new facility.
As travelers transition from TSA security to their gates, they pass by a massive art glass installation created by Charleston artist Christy Kinard. “Focused Precision” was selected from 225 submissions after the airport issued an open call to Lowcountry artists. It features a great blue heron in flight towards the Harbour Town Lighthouse in Sea Pines Resort.
Other terminal upgrades include large, modern restrooms, including a family restroom. Pet owners will enjoy access to the outdoor pet relief area before boarding or upon arrival. This fenced amenity offers fresh water and a sink.
The new terminal has seating for about 350 people, which is almost triple the old seating capacity.
Some passengers will be excited to learn that the new terminal also houses a bar. Located between gates 1 and 2, the large semi-circle bar seats about 25 people for food and drinks.
Tailwind Airport Concessions has been contracted by HHH to provide concessions in the new terminal. Traditional airport snacks and drinks will be available, but the goal is to also provide local flavors and treats to greet visitors and highlight locally owned businesses.
The traffic pattern for the airport has also been improved. More lanes are available for picking up and dropping off travelers. Future plans are in place to improve the parking lot conditions as well.
It’s important to note that the baggage claim area is still in its original form. Upgrading the baggage claim process is scheduled to take place in phase two of the project, but planning and securing funding is still necessary before its construction can begin.
The goal for phase two is to renovate the old terminal area, install a baggage claim carousel, expand rental car areas, and increase the overall technology. The estimated cost for phase two is another $42 million dollars.