Myrtle Beach International Airport

MYR originated in 1948, whereby an airport was meant to be started on the property (formerly an army base) that the federal government had transferred to the City of Myrtle Beach in 1948. Although the city of Myrtle Beach decided not to use the property for an airport, the funds still had to be used for the benefit of an airport. As such, the funds went to Horry County Jetport in Crescent Beach. In 1976 the Jetport was moved to the land containing Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. The following year, the land containing Myrtle Beach Airport was annexed by the city of Myrtle Beach. As MYR and Myrtle Beach Air Force Base shared the same ground, they also had to share a runway. This arrangement led to only 30 civilian landings per day and brought up the need for a new airport to be built. At the time, MYR was served by Piedmont Airlines, Delta, and Eastern commuter aircraft.
Furthermore, in 1993 the Air Force Base was closed, which allowed the Horry County Department of Airports to take over the runway and other portions of the military flight line. In the early 1990s, American Eagle became a major carrier at MYR, with the primary route being multiple daily flights to the American Airlines hub in Raleigh. And although this route accounted for 12% of the airport's passenger traffic, it abruptly ended in December 1994. On August 21st, 1996, the new international terminal was opened, reflecting the airport's newly gained status as an international airport. In the early 2000s, MYR was the main hub for Hooters Air.
Furthermore, in 2006 AirTran Airways (the fourth-largest airline at the airport) stopped serving MYR. Another airline to serve the airport was Direct Air, which operated from 2007 until 2012, at which point it filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and discontinued operations. Multiple renovations took place in 2008, paid for by a $4.50 passenger facility charge on all airline tickets. Furthermore, there are currently two proposals for terminal expansions, which would more than double the current amount of airport gates (which stands at 11). Of the two plans, one calls for 23 gates and the other for 25, with other possibilities being the addition of more international flights, new parking layouts, and the possible addition of space for a major cargo distributor. However, these plans are considered long-term. Nonetheless, a $35 million expansion was announced on April 8th, 2022, which will include the addition of four or five new gates, more fuel storage, and a security checkpoint to alleviate pressure created by the current TSA bottleneck. Finally, more space would be created for restaurants and retail shops at the terminal.

The airport is located three nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Myrtle Beach. 

• In October 2022, Indianapolis-based Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy began hosting flight training operations at MYR, sending in flight-training students from its Indianapolis branch. Negotiations are currently underway between LIFT, MYR, and the City of Myrtle Beach on a long-term facility for the program. 
• The Dr. W.L. Harrelson Terminal Building is named for Myrtle Beach's first mayor, Dr. Wilford Leroy Harrelson, as the land for the municipal airport was purchased during his first term (1938-9). 
• MYR was a designated launch abort site for the Space Shuttle, although it was never used. 
• The FBO at MYR is Beach Aviation Services.