SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR
It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating our best year ever with more passengers, more seats, more routes, more frequency, upgauged aircraft, record sales, and more. We were moving forward with expansion plans because our growth was pushing the limits on our facilities. We were confident that more growth was on the way and nothing could stop it. Our path forward was clear and our confidence never higher. The year 2019 was truly a great year for us, but it is not so significant now.
2019 gave us a strong foundation that has allowed us to withstand the crushing impacts of the devastation that we as a country and the aviation industry have faced so far in 2020. Good numbers, passengers, flights, routes, and revenues don’t seem as important today as we reflect on 2019. What is important is the health and welfare of all the employees and businesses that are the backbone of this airport. They have been and remain motivated, productive and committed to their jobs and this community. They know that what’s important are the basics of operating an airport, the things we have to get right every day to ensure we are the safest and most secure airport possible. What is important is holding the airport together in beyond- extraordinary times and showing leadership in the face of adversity.
So, let us look back at 2019 carefully and thoughtfully, knowing now how quickly fate can change the course of success. Let us also look forward and know that we will build our business back much sooner rather than later. We have been shaken, but we are not broken. I wish each of you the best as we work hard to carefully navigate our way through a very challenging year ahead.
GREGORY B. KELLY, A.A.E. | Executive Director
STEPHEN S. GREEN | Chairman
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
A WORD FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
By all accounts, 2019 was a great year for Savannah/Hilton Head International. While we achieved success on many fronts, the most notable achievement was breaking through the 1.5M enplanement threshold. This is quite a milestone for us, and it is indicative of our overall growth and our ever-improving ability to serve as the aviation gateway to the Coastal Georgia and South Carolina Lowcountry region.
Breaking the 1.5M threshold capped off five straight years of unprecedented growth for SAV. In 2013, when our enplanements were stalled in the 800,000 range, the Savannah Airport Commission developed a strategic plan with the goal of expanding air service at SAV. Efforts included more than doubling our investment in air service development, bringing on a new consultant, and forming strong regional alliances. Since implementing these changes, we’ve continued to see improvements in passenger totals year-over-year. We fully expected to build on those successes in 2020 and beyond, but sadly, the coronavirus pandemic devastated our industry. Our focus shifted as we worked hard to ensure the safety of our employees and to ensure our airport continued to operate and provide basic transportation services in a COVID-safe environment.
Now we need to refocus on rebuilding our air service and to try to recapture the momentum we had in 2019. We will succeed on this front while at the same time ensuring our employees and those who use our facilities are safe and healthy. Together we will achieve success on all fronts in the post-COVID environment.
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The year 2019 was one of notable growth and expansion, as well as praise and honors for Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV). Throughout the year, a total of 3,021,077 passengers passed through the airport – making 2019 the fourth consecutive record-breaking year for passenger numbers at SAV. Not only did the airport receive the Hospitality Business of the Year Award from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, but SAV was also named the Number 4 Airport in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure and ranked the Number 2 Airport in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler.
The year began with the start of SAV’s terminal apron expansion project. This momentum continued as the airport launched a parking revenue control system and welcomed new additions inside the airport including a nursing mother’s room, locally-owned boutique Satchel, and a new USO center. One of the year’s biggest highlights came when Allegiant announced it would establish a two-aircraft base at SAV, investing $50M to establish the new base linking travelers in small-to-medium cities in the region. Allegiant also announced new nonstop service from SAV to five new markets. Another pillar for 2019 came in August, when SAV received a $4.2M FAA Program Grant for the final phase of its Federal Inspection Services (FIS) Facility and Apron. The airport ended the year with its 6th annual Home for the Holidays contest, sending five well-deserving service members home to celebrate this special time of the year with their families.
While there were many highlights to celebrate in 2019, the year also helped position SAV in a better place to navigate the major unexpected changes and difficult times to come in 2020. It is with the same hard work and dedication, paired with a unique new perspective for substantial changes to the airline industry, that will allow the Savannah Airport Commission and staff to move forward, look upward, and serve its travelers better than ever before in the years to come.
SECTION 2. STATISTICS
AIRLINE MARKET SHARE
SECTION 2. STATISTICS
PASSENGER STATISTICS
ENPLANEMENTS
DEPLANEMENTS
AVAILABLE SEATS
| Load Factor % | ||
|---|---|---|
| 84% | 2015 | 1,017,0671,010,2001,214,269 |
| 82% | 2016 | 1,089,2221,101,1841,333,669 |
| 82% | 2017 | 1,228,7611,234,1201,504,029 |
| 79% | 2018 | 1,395,0401,404,4861,768,310 |
| 79% | 2019 | 1,502,9741,518,1031,903,143 |
AIRLINE PASSENGERS
TOTAL CARGO
AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS
SECTION 2. STATISTICS
SOURCES OF AIRPORT REVENUE
2019 TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE:
SECTION 3. YEAR IN REVIEW
2019 YEAR IN REVIEW
SECTION 4. AIR SERVICE
AIR SERVICE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ALLEGIANT LAUNCHES SERVICE TO:
SECTION 4. AIR SERVICE
AIRLINES & NONSTOP DESTINATIONS
* SEASONAL SERVICE
SECTION 5. AWARDS & INITIATIVES
GREEN INITIATIVES
SECTION 5. AWARDS & INITIATIVES
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Southeast Disaster Operations Group (SEADOG) Receives Prestigious
AAAE Chair’s Award
For the 20th Consecutive Year, the Savannah Airport Commission Receives the
CAFR Award (Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting)
SAV Receives Hospitality
Business of the Year Award
from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce
SECTION 6. COMMISSION, STAFF & FINANCIALS
COMMISSION & STAFF
SAVANNAH AIRPORT COMMISSION MEMBERS
MR. RANDY HOUSTON
Member
MR. LOWELL KRONOWITZ
Member
MRS. SHIRLEY JAMES
Vice-Chairman
MR. STEPHEN S. GREEN
Chairman
MR. TED KLEISNER
Member
SAVANNAH AIRPORT COMMISSION SENIOR STAFF
GREGORY B. KELLY, A.A.E.
Executive Director
GEORGE A. FIDLER, JR., P.E.
Director of Engineering
LENARD ROBINSON, A.A.E.
Director of Landside Facilities
DAWOUD STEVENSON, C.M.
Director of Program Management, Information Technology
LORI LYNAH
Director of Marketing and Air Service Development
FRED McCOSBY, A.A.E.
Director of Operations
SECTION 6. COMMISSION, STAFF & FINANCIALS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Provided through the link below are the financial statements of the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport for the year ending December 31, 2019. These financial statements are provided by management and are for information only. They have not been audited.
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE BEING PROVIDED:
- Statements of Net Position
- Statements of Revenues, Expenses & Changes in Net Position
Questions concerning the financial statements and any other information provided should be directed to:
Gregory B. Kelly, A.A.E. Executive Director
Savannah Airport Commission
400 Airways Avenue · Savannah, GA 31408 · (912) 964-0514 · flySAV.com