Paslay Group
Phase 1 of the Charleston International Airport expansion project.
Paslay Group this week announced its latest Executive Program Management engagement, assisting Charleston International Airport’s expansion and Terminal Development Program.
The airport, South Carolina’s busiest having served a record 6.2 million passengers in 2023, is located about 12 miles northwest of downtown Charleston and is served by American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United, Spirit Airlines, Air Canada, Breeze Airways, and Jet Blue, in addition to several smaller airlines.
“Our 2023 numbers demonstrate that CHS is South Carolina’s favorite airport among airline passengers, and our growth trends are expected to continue,” said Elliott Summey, CHS CEO and executive director, in a statement. “We’re pleased to partner with Paslay Group to ensure overall success of our program so that Charleston International Airport continues to provide Lowcountry business and leisure passengers and our airline partners an exceptional experience.”
Airport leaders are in the design phase of the program and are pursuing East Concourse additions of up to five gates, a West Concourse gate addition of four gates, an expanded ticket hall and security checkpoint, improved baggage handling systems, and terminal loop road improvements.
The airport’s record number of passengers served last year is a 15% increase over 2022, according to a press release. A 2022 University of South Carolina study found that CHS pumps $4.5 billion a year into the state economy and supports 35,000 jobs. The airport is managed by the Charleston County Aviation Authority.
Paslay Group, founded in 2006 by former airport executives, is a full-service airport consultancy providing Executive Program Management, Advisory, and Development services for a wide array of airports implementing capital development programs. Paslay has successfully assisted owners in delivering airport projects valued at over $24 billion and is currently managing an additional $17 billion in investments, according to a press release.
Paslay Group’s team on the project is led by Jim Young, a civil engineer and project management executive with more than four decades’ experience delivering large-scale, domestic, and international airport civil and airport infrastructure programs. Maria Mendoza, an architect with more than 25 years’ experience managing complex aviation, institutional, commercial, and residential projects in the U.S. and abroad, will serve as design manager.
“Paslay Group is made up of former airport executives who love what they do and appreciate serving visionary airport owners who understand the positive economic impact that modern terminal facilities have on a region,” said Paul Blue, Paslay Group partner and president of the firm’s Executive Program Management. “We are looking forward to assisting the Charleston County Aviation Authority in realizing its vision and providing new terminal facilities worthy of one of our nation’s most beloved destinations.”