Charleston International Airport sees 9% increase in Thanksgiving holiday travelers

Charleston International Airport (CHS) welcomed significantly more passengers this Thanksgiving holiday, recording over 142,000 travelers passing through the terminal from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through the Monday after the holiday. This marks a 9% increase compared to the approximately 130,000 passengers who traveled during the same period in 2024.

Airport officials attribute this continued growth to the strong demand for travel to and from the Charleston region, as well as the coordinated efforts of airport employees, tenants, and federal partners who work to ensure safe, efficient, and welcoming operations even during the busiest travel periods.

“Our team continues to rise to the occasion year after year, and this Thanksgiving was no exception,” said Elliott Summey, President and CEO of Charleston International Airport. “The dedication and hard work of our airport employees, airline partners, TSA, concessionaires, and every stakeholder across CHS played a vital role in delivering a smooth travel experience for the thousands of passengers who came through our doors. Their commitment is the reason we can serve our community and visitors with excellence, even during peak holiday travel.”

Despite the surge in passenger numbers, airport operations remained steady throughout the week, supported by advanced planning, increased staffing, and collaborative communication between airport teams and federal partners.

Charleston International Airport encourages travelers to continue planning ahead for the busy holiday season, allowing additional time for parking, check-in, and security screening as traffic remains strong into December.