Charleston, SC, January 22, 2026
Charleston International Airport continues to grow as a vital economic engine, despite the recent discontinuation of BermudAir’s non-stop service to Bermuda. The airport plays a key role in connecting the Lowcountry to various destinations, supporting tourism, and promoting economic development in the region. With robust annual passenger traffic and ongoing expansion efforts, Charleston remains committed to enhancing its air connectivity, ensuring that local businesses and residents have access to a wide range of travel options.
Charleston’s Air Routes: A Dynamic Landscape of Growth and Adaptation
BermudAir’s Departure Highlights the Ever-Evolving Nature of Air Travel While Charleston International Continues its Trajectory of Expansion and Economic Impact.
Charleston, SC, has long been recognized as a hub of entrepreneurial spirit and robust economic activity in the Lowcountry. The city’s continuous growth is often a testament to the proactive efforts of local businesses and a welcoming environment for innovation. In this dynamic landscape, connectivity, particularly through air travel, plays a pivotal role in fostering economic growth, supporting tourism, and enabling residents to engage with broader markets. Charleston International Airport (CHS) stands as a vital artery, connecting our community to diverse destinations and serving as a critical economic engine for the entire region.
The fluidity of the airline industry, influenced by market demands and operational considerations, occasionally brings changes to route offerings. While new connections are frequently celebrated for the opportunities they unlock, the discontinuation of a service underscores the ongoing need for adaptability and strategic planning within the aviation sector. Such adjustments, while prompting reflection on specific routes, do not detract from the overall vigorous expansion and resilience that characterize Charleston’s economy and its air travel infrastructure.
BermudAir’s Journey: A Brief Presence in Charleston’s Skies
The non-stop service between Charleston International Airport (CHS) and L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) in Bermuda was officially announced on November 14, 2024, by BermudAir and Charleston International Airport. The new route marked a significant milestone for the Charleston region, representing CHS’s second international route and offering a direct link to a highly sought-after island destination. The inaugural flight took off on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Initially, BermudAir operated the route once a week, with flights departing every Saturday, utilizing a 70-seat Embraer E175 jet. This service was expected to not only facilitate travel for Charlestonians but also drive visitation to the Charleston region. For the late summer season, BermudAir updated its schedule, expanding to a twice-weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays, effective August 7, 2025, with the final Saturday flight operating on August 2, 2025. This revised schedule was set to run through October 2025. However, BermudAir ended its services to Charleston. The route has been marked as inactive in flight databases since October 26, 2025, indicating that the service operated for approximately six months.
Charleston International Airport: A Pillar of Lowcountry Economic Growth
Charleston International Airport is a crucial component of the Lowcountry’s economic framework. The airport is designated as an SC I Commercial Service Airport within South Carolina’s aviation system, playing a significant role in connecting the community and serving as a highly-rated decision-making factor for businesses considering relocation or expansion. Annually, the Charleston International Airport supports an estimated $10.2 billion in economic benefit. More broadly, the total economic impact of CHS is estimated to be approximately $10.8 billion annually on the Charleston Region, a figure that increases to nearly $11.2 billion for the state of South Carolina as a whole. This economic activity supports 34,234 jobs across the Charleston Region and generates $1.4 billion in labor income.
The airport’s growth trajectory is robust, serving 13 airlines and connecting to 46 cities. In 2023, CHS exceeded 6 million travelers for the first time, with 6,153,540 passengers passing through. This momentum continued into 2024, with traffic rising by 2% to 6.30 million passengers, setting a new record. This impressive growth is attributed to a post-pandemic uptick in travel and the introduction of new destinations. Ongoing expansion projects are in motion, including additional terminal space, new flight routes, and the construction of a new state-of-the-art parking garage and rental car center, all aimed at accommodating the increasing number of travelers.
Analyzing Market Dynamics in Regional Air Travel
The aviation industry, particularly the regional segment, is characterized by its responsiveness to market demands and operational efficiencies. Regional aviation focuses on short-haul flights, employing smaller aircraft, and frequently serving less-trafficked routes. While the global airline industry anticipates a positive 2025 with passenger demand and capacity expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels, it also faces persistent challenges. These include supply chain disruptions, geopolitical uncertainties, and rising operational costs, such as wage inflation and maintenance expenses. Aircraft delivery delays and grounded planes also continue to constrain expansion across the industry.
The discontinuation of a route like Charleston-Bermuda, despite its initial promise, often reflects the intricate balance airlines must strike between projected demand, operational costs, and the overall profitability of their network. BermudAir, a regional airline, had been expanding its network, adding routes to multiple U.S. destinations in 2025. While Bermuda’s tourism sector has shown growth in tourist arrivals (projected to rise to 939,000 by 2028 from 856,000 in 2023), it also faces challenges such as limited hotel room inventory and travel-capacity constraints. Such factors can influence the viability of specific routes. The decision to ground a route can stem from a variety of factors, including lower-than-expected passenger numbers, competitive pressures, or a strategic reallocation of resources to more profitable segments of an airline’s network.
Charleston’s Enduring Appeal and Future Connectivity
Despite the adjustment in BermudAir’s service, Charleston’s overall air connectivity remains robust and continues to expand. In 2024, Charleston International Airport welcomed several new routes, including international non-stop service to Toronto from Air Canada, and new domestic connections from Spirit Airlines and Breeze Airways. Breeze Airways, for instance, is a leading operator at CHS, known for its network breadth with 25 routes in Summer 2025. The airport’s commitment to attracting diverse airline partners and expanding its route map ensures that residents and businesses in the Lowcountry retain extensive travel options.
The strong performance of Charleston’s tourism economy, with the hospitality trade climbing to $12.8 billion in 2022 and annual visitors reaching 7.7 million, provides a solid foundation for continued air service demand. Furthermore, Charleston’s reputation as a top place for jobs, boasting a growing pool of over 400,000 skilled workers and a burgeoning tech sector dubbed “Silicon Harbor”, underscores the demand for both leisure and business travel. The significant employment growth in Charleston County, which outpaced the state average between 2001 and 2021, further highlights the region’s economic vitality and its attractiveness as a destination for investment and talent.
Conclusion: Resilience and Vision for Charleston SC Business
The withdrawal of a particular flight route, while noteworthy, serves as a reminder of the competitive and adaptive nature of the airline industry. For Charleston, SC, it is a testament to the fact that even as specific connections evolve, the broader trajectory of economic growth and expanding connectivity at Charleston International Airport remains strong. The community’s resilience, coupled with the foresight of airport authorities and local economic development leaders, ensures that the Lowcountry continues to thrive as a center for business, innovation, and tourism.
We encourage all our readers to continue supporting Charleston small business and to stay engaged with developments shaping the Charleston County economy. By fostering an environment that encourages South Carolina entrepreneurs and champions thoughtful growth, we collectively contribute to the enduring prosperity of our region and enhance Lowcountry economic growth for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did BermudAir launch its non-stop service from Charleston to Bermuda?
- BermudAir officially launched its non-stop service between Charleston International Airport and L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
- How long did BermudAir’s Charleston route operate?
- BermudAir’s Charleston route operated for approximately six months, from its launch on April 19, 2025, until the route was marked as inactive in flight databases by October 26, 2025.
- What was the initial frequency of BermudAir flights from Charleston?
- The initial frequency of BermudAir flights from Charleston to Bermuda was once a week, operating on Saturdays.
- What is the annual economic impact of Charleston International Airport?
- Charleston International Airport supports an estimated $10.2 billion in economic benefit annually. The total economic impact of CHS is estimated to total approximately $10.8 billion annually on the Charleston Region, which increases to nearly $11.2 billion for the state of South Carolina as a whole.
- How many passengers did Charleston International Airport serve in 2024?
- Charleston International Airport served 6.30 million passengers in 2024, representing a 2% increase compared to 2023, and setting a new record.
Key Features of BermudAir’s Charleston Route and CHS Impact
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| BermudAir Route Launch Date | April 19, 2025 |
| BermudAir Route Discontinuation Date (Inactive) | October 26, 2025 |
| BermudAir Initial Frequency | Once weekly (Saturdays) |
| BermudAir Expanded Frequency (Seasonal) | Twice weekly (Thursdays and Sundays) from August 7, 2025, through October 2025 |
| BermudAir Aircraft Type | 70-seat Embraer E175 jet |
| CHS Annual Economic Benefit | Estimated $10.2 billion |
| CHS Total Economic Impact (Charleston Region) | Approximately $10.8 billion annually |
| CHS Total Economic Impact (State of South Carolina) | Nearly $11.2 billion annually |
| CHS Passengers Served (2024) | 6.30 million |
| CHS Designation | SC I Commercial Service Airport |