SC welcomes Southwest Airlines

Look out South Carolina, low-cost air service is flying in! Southwest Airlines is coming to Charleston and Greenville within the next 12 months. Airline officials have worked with state legislators on air service incentive funding measures. Charleston County Councilman Teddy Pryor says, “Having a low-cost carrier is a quality of life issue, and it will benefit our residents every bit as much as it does the business community.”

House Speaker Bobby Harrell played a key role in getting Southwest to come to South Carolina. He anticipates a positive and immediate increase in statewide economic development activity. Harrell says the new discount carrier will knock down the challenges in lack of flights and high-cost airfare.

Southwest is expected to bring in about 200,000 more passengers to Charleston annually.