Flying to Kiawah Island? Try These Airports on for Size

Two busy airports serve the Charleston area and make for ideal landing spots for a visit to nearby Kiawah Island.

Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 10:49 AM ET

Verified

A visit to Charleston, South Carolina, pictured here, and neighboring Kiawah Island combines the sites, sounds, and culture of a big city with the respite of a beach resort. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

While Kiawah Island lacks its own airstrip, pilots have two primary airport options in Charleston, South Carolina: Charleston Executive Airport (KJZI) and Charleston Air Force Base/International Airport (KCHS).
Charleston Executive Airport (KJZI) is the closest and generally preferred by general aviation pilots for its GA focus, two runways (longest 5,350 ft), and friendly, less challenging environment, despite wildlife hazards.
Charleston Air Force Base/International Airport (KCHS) is a larger, joint-use facility suitable for commercial flight transitions or alongside military aircraft, but is more complex with extensive NOTAMs, military traffic patterns, and prohibits student solo touch-and-gos.

See a mistake? Contact us.

While there is no public-use landing strip on Kiawah Island, the city of Charleston, South Carolina, offers two large airports from which to choose, just for starters. While most general aviation pilots opt for the GA-focused Charleston Executive Airport (KJZI), you may find it more convenient to use KCHS if you have passengers to transition to commercial flights—or you just fancy landing alongside a C-17 based there.

READ MORE: Discover Kiawah Island

Charleston Executive Airport (KJZI)

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston Executive Airport is located 6 miles southwest of Charleston, South Carolina, basically just down the road from Kiawah Island. It’s the closest of two regional airports to the island. KJZI is described by the locals as a busy general aviation airport.