Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport[3] (IATA: SAV[4], ICAO: KSAV, FAA LID: SAV) is a commercial and military-use airport in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Savannah/Hilton Head International provides travelers with access to two of the country’s top destinations: Savannah, Georgia and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, as well as neighboring areas including Bluffton and Beaufort, South Carolina and the Golden Isles region of Coastal Georgia.

Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport
Aerial view of SAV
Summary
Airport typePublic
Owner/OperatorSavannah Airport Commission
ServesSavannah, Georgia and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Focus city forAllegiant Air[1]
Elevation AMSL50 ft / 15 m
Coordinates32°07′39″N 081°12′08″W
WebsiteSavannahAirport.com
Map
SAV
Location of airport in Georgia / United States
SAV
SAV (the United States)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
10/28 9,351 2,850 Concrete
1/19 7,002 2,134 Concrete
Statistics (2019)
Passengers3,021,077
Aircraft operations 12 months ending July 31, 2019104,691
Based aircraft129
Sources: Airport website, Federal Aviation Administration[2]

In 2019, Savannah/Hilton Head International concluded its fourth consecutive record-breaking year with a total of 3,021,077 commercial airline passengers (1,502,974 enplanements and 1,518,103 deplanements), a 7.9% increase over 2018.

Savannah/Hilton Head International was named one of the 10 Best Domestic Airports in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards as well as in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Savannah/Hilton Head is served by Delta, JetBlue, United Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada, Allegiant Air, and Frontier Airlines.

An on-site Visitor Information Center provides travelers with information regarding ground transportation, directions, flight information, and tourist attractions in Savannah, Hilton Head, and most other coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina's Lowcountry.

Owned by the City of Savannah and managed by the Savannah Airport Commission, Savannah/Hilton Head International is located seven nautical miles (8 mi, 13 km) northwest of the Savannah Historic District.[2] The airport's passenger terminal is directly accessible to Interstate 95 between Savannah and the suburban city of Pooler. Its previous names include Savannah International Airport, Travis Field and Chatham Field.

The airport serves as world headquarters for Gulfstream Aerospace.[5] The Georgia Air National Guard's 165th Airlift Wing is also based at Savannah/Hilton Head International.

The airport is patrolled by the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport Police, who work with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to provide airport security.

This airport is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it as a primary commercial service airport since it has over 10,000 passenger boardings (enplanements) per year.[6] U.S. Customs facilities are on the field and the airport is part of a Foreign Trade Zone.

Savannah/Hilton Head International is second only to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport as Georgia's busiest commercial airport.


History

The first Savannah Municipal Airport was opened on September 20, 1929, with the inauguration of air service between New York City and Miami by Eastern Air Express. In 1932, a city resolution named the airport Hunter Field. A trolley car was used as the first terminal at Hunter Field in the mid-1930s. In 1940, the U.S. Army Air Corps proposed to take over Hunter Field if a war started. While commercial airlines continued to use Hunter Field, the city decided to build a second municipal airport in response to the increased military presence.

The City of Savannah acquired a 600-acre tract near Cherokee Hill, one of the highest elevations in the county, and construction of a new airfield began under a Works Progress Administration project. Three 3,600-foot runways were constructed running north–south, east–west, and northeast–southwest. In 1942, before the completion of this new airfield, the U.S. Army Air Corps decided to take over the new facility and start additional construction to carry out its mission. It named the airfield Chatham Field and used it until the end of World War II as a bomber base and crew training base for B-24 bombers as well as fighter aircraft.

In 1948, Chatham Army Airfield was turned over to the Georgia Air National Guard and the airport was renamed Travis Field, in honor of Savannah native Brigadier General. Robert F. Travis, killed in the crash of a B-29 bomber near Fairfield-Suisun AFB, California, and his brother, Colonel William Travis. To accommodate the airlines, Travis Field received a new control tower and an airline terminal in the former base theater.

In 1958, work began on a new airline terminal. In 1962, an additional extension brought the east–west runway's length to 9,000 ft (2,700 m). The jet age arrived in 1965 when Delta Air Lines introduced Douglas DC-9-10 flights. Grumman Aircraft opened a $7.5 million Gulfstream manufacturing plant at Travis in 1967. A new $21-million terminal building was built on the northwest corner of the airport in 1994.

A six-gate terminal built in 1960 was replaced in 1994 by the current facility. Although the airport had no direct international flights at the time, it was renamed Savannah International Airport in 1983, then Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in 2003. International service was finally realized in 2017 when Air Canada began seasonal service between Toronto and Savannah.

In 1992, the airport had international service with nonstop flights to destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico when Key Airlines was operating a passenger hub in Savannah. Key Airlines also operated nonstop mainline jet service to a number of U.S. cities at this time and from Savannah. According to the Key Airlines system timetable dated October 1, 1992, nonstop services primarily operated with Boeing 727-100 and 727-200 jetliners were being flown from the airport to Antigua (ANU), Aruba (AUA), Atlanta (ATL), Baltimore (BWI), Boston (BOS), Cancun (CUN), Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), Cozumel (CZM), Curaçao (CUR), Freeport (FPO), Montego Bay (MBJ), Nassau (NAS), New York Newark Airport (EWR), Orlando (MCO), St. Maarten (SXM) and St. Thomas (STT). In addition to these nonstop flights, one-stop direct service was also flown by the airline from Savannah to St. Croix (STX).[7] Key Airlines subsequently experienced financial difficulties and then ceased all flights in 1993.

Some 3,680 feet (1,120 m) from the west end of Runway 10 (the main east–west runway) are two concrete grave markers. A runway extension project placed the runway through a small family plot and the graves of the airport property's two original owners. Because the family did not want to remove and relocate the graves, the markers were placed in the asphalt runway.[8]

Runway 10 is thought to be the only airport runway in the United States with marked gravestones in it. Federal law generally prohibits the moving of a grave without the permission of the next of kin. In this case, two graves of the Dotson Family, the earliest grave dating backed to 1857, were encountered during the construction of the runway. Since the next of kin could not be located, the graves were left undisturbed. Two additional graves are located off the runway surface.[8]

The new 275,000 sq. ft. Terminal opened in May 1994 with 8 gates (expandable to 19 gates). The project included new roads, a new aircraft taxiway and parking apron, stormwater ponds, landscaping and a new interchange at I-95 for entry into the Airport (Exit 104) at mile marker 104. Total cost for the project was $68.5 million. It was completed one month ahead of schedule and under budget. It was designed by KBJ Architects[9]

A terminal expansion project was completed in July 2007, adding five departure gates (for a total of fifteen).[10] A $35-million parking garage was completed in October of the same year, which added 1,700 parking spaces and uses an electronic program to alert drivers to the number of available spaces on each garage level.[10]

Visitor Information Center

There is a Visitor Information Center located near the baggage claim in the airport. The staff can assist guests with finding Georgia and South Carolina attractions, turn-by-turn directions, transportation advice, mailing a package, Georgia lottery sales and sending a fax.

The Visitor Information Center offers:

  • Tourist brochures
  • Ground transportation needs
  • Directions
  • Area maps
  • Flight information
  • In-terminal announcements
  • Post office
  • Copies and faxes

Parking and public transportation

The airport has three parking lots. The economy parking offers hourly, daily and weekly options for short or long term parking. The Savannah Value Park provides exclusive parking to residents of the City of Savannah. The Long Term/Hourly Parking area is closest to the airport terminal.

The Chatham Area Transit (CAT) 100X Airport Express to the airport originates at Joe Murray Rivers, Jr. Intermodal Transit Center.

Military use

Also located on the airport is Savannah Air National Guard Base, home to the 165th Airlift Wing (165 AW) of the Georgia Air National Guard. The 165 AW flies the C-130H Hercules tactical airlift aircraft and, as an Air National Guard (ANG) unit, is under the operational claimancy of the Air Mobility Command (AMC). The 165 AW, including the collocated Georgia ANG Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC), consists of over 310 full-time Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) and Air Reserve Technician (ART) personnel, and over 700 additional "traditional" part-time air national guardsmen.

Savannah ANGB has over 145 buildings and 239 acres of leased land in the southeast and northeast quadrants of the airport.[11]

It is home of the Air Dominance Center.[12]

Facilities and aircraft

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport covers an area of 3,650 acres (1,477 ha) at an elevation of 50 ft. (15 m) above mean sea level. It has two runways with concrete surfaces:[2]

  • 10/28: 9,351 ft. x 150 ft. (2,850 m x 46 m)
  • 01/19: 7,002 ft. x 150 ft. (2,134 m x 46 m)

For the 12-month period ending July 31, 2019, the airport had 104,691 aircraft operations, an average of 287 per day: 45% general aviation, 19% air taxi, 29% scheduled commercial, and 8% military. At that time there were 129 aircraft based at this airport: 76 single-engine, 9 multi-engine, 31 jet, 5 helicopter, and 8 military.[2]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger
AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Air Canada Express Seasonal: Toronto–Pearson [13]
Allegiant Air Allentown,[14] Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Grand Rapids,[14] Newark
Seasonal: Belleville/St. Louis,[15] Chicago–Midway,[15] Columbus–Rickenbacker, Houston-Hobby,[15] Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, Newburgh,[15] Pittsburgh, Punta Gorda (FL)[15] 		[16]
American Airlines Seasonal: Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth [17]
American Eagle Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington–National
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare[18] 		[17]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, New York–JFK [19]
Delta Connection New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia
Seasonal: Detroit 		[19]
Frontier Airlines Seasonal: Philadelphia [20]
JetBlue Boston, New York–JFK [21]
Sun Country Airlines Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul [22]
United Airlines Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare [23]
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, Washington–Dulles [23]

Cargo
AirlinesDestinations
FedEx Express Memphis
UPS Airlines Columbia (SC)

Airline market share
Largest Airlines at SAV
(Mar, 2019 – Feb, 2020)[24]
Rank Carriers Passengers Share
1 Delta Air Lines 796,000 27.22%
2 PSA Airlines* 433,000 14.79%
3 Allegiant Air 312,000 10.66%
4 JetBlue Airways 294,000 10.06%
5 American Airlines 278,000 9.49%

* - PSA Airlines operates as American Eagle


Top domestic destinations (March 2019 – February 2020)[25]
Rank Airport Passengers Airlines
1 Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International (ATL) 394,490 Delta
2 Charlotte/Douglas International (CLT) 197,860 American
3 New York City Kennedy (JFK) 126,660 Delta, JetBlue
4 Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) 82,720 American
5 Newark Liberty International (EWR) 74,730 Allegiant, United
6 Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) 74,070 American, United
7 Boston Logan International (BOS) 67,750 Delta, JetBlue
8 Philadelphia International (PHL) 62,680 American, Frontier
9 New York City LaGuardia (LGA) 53,810 American, Delta
10 Washington Dulles International (IAD) 43,210 United

Nearby airfields
Distance Direction Airfield Location
8 miles (13 km)SSE Hunter Army AirfieldSavannah, Georgia
26 miles (42 km)SW MidCoast Regional Airport at Wright Army AirfieldHinesville, Georgia
28 miles (45 km)NNE Ridgeland AirportRidgeland, South Carolina
30 miles (48 km)ENE Hilton Head AirportHilton Head Island, South Carolina
36 miles (58 km)NE Marine Corps Air Station BeaufortBeaufort, South Carolina
38 miles (61 km)NE Beaufort County AirportBeaufort, South Carolina
40 miles (64 km)NW Statesboro-Bulloch County AirportStatesboro, Georgia
64 miles (103 km)NNE Lowcountry Regional AirportWalterboro, South Carolina
68 miles (109 km)W Vidalia Regional AirportVidalia, Georgia
85 miles (137 km)NE Charleston International Airport / Joint Base CharlestonCharleston, South Carolina

Accidents and incidents
  • On May 2, 2018, a Lockheed C-130H Hercules of the USAF attached to the Puerto Rico Air National Guard on a military flight to Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona stalled and crashed after takeoff 2 km NE of the airport on Georgia State Highway 21 due to the failure of the #1 engine and improper application of left rudder. All 9 occupants were killed.[26]
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References
  1. https://www.blufftontoday.com/news/20190404/allegiant-announces-aircraft-base-in-savannah-united-adds-flights-from-hilton-head-island
  2. FAA Airport Master Record for SAV (Form 5010 PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. effective November 15, 2012.
  3. Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport, official website
  4. "IATA Airport code Search (SAV: Savannah / Hilton Head)". International Air Transport Association. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  5. http://www.gulfstream.com/contacts
  6. "2011–2015 NPIAS Report, Appendix A" (PDF, 2.03 MB). National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2010.
  7. departedflights.com, Key Airlines Oct. 1, 1992 system timetable & Oct. 1, 1992 Key Airlines system timetable & route map
  8. "At Peace With the Jets". Savannah Morning News. August 28, 2001. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020.
  9. "Aviation". KBJ Architects, Inc. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012.
  10. "Savannah/Hilton Head Airport expands, updates," Delta Sky Magazine, December 2007. Accessed March 21, 2008.
  11. "Savannah International Airport". GlobalSecurity.org.
  12. https://theaviationist.com/2018/12/07/what-appears-to-be-a-fake-chinese-j-20-allegedly-spotted-at-u-s-base/
  13. "Flight Schedules". Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  14. "Allegiant expanding service into Savannah, announces 4 new nonstop routes". Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  15. "Allegiant Announces Largest Service Expansion In Company History With 3 New Cities And 44 Nonstop Routes". Allegiant Airlines.
  16. "Allegiant Air". Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  17. "Flight schedules and notifications". Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  18. "American Airlines plans additional domestic routes in S18". RoutesOnline. December 17, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  19. "FLIGHT SCHEDULES". Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  20. "Frontier". Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  21. "JetBlue Airlines Timetable". Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  22. "Route Map & Flight Schedule". Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  23. "Timetable". Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  24. "Savannah, GA: Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) | transtats.bts.gov/airports – The United States Department of Transportation". wtranstats.bts.gov/airports. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  25. "RITA - BTS - Transtats".
  26. Accident description for 65-0968 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on April 11, 2019.
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