Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is preparing for a critical runway rehabilitation project to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations for years to come. Just like highways, runways require periodic maintenance, and it has been 17 years since Runway 4/22 was last paved and 30 years since the shoulders were addressed. This project will include repaving more than 6,500 feet of runway and 11,001 feet of shoulder and safety areas, repair concrete panels, and replace runway markings. By investing in this work now, GSP can maintain the highest standards of safety and service while minimizing long-term impacts for travelers, airlines, and the community.
In order to complete this important project, nightly runway closures will begin in the summer of 2026. This work is scheduled to take place after the last scheduled arrival each night. In addition, the airport will close for two weekends, September 11–13 and September 18–20, 2026. We’re sharing this news a year in advance to allow plenty of time for planning future travel. While we understand the temporary closures may cause some inconvenience, these upgrades are essential to maintaining safe and reliable travel experiences for many years to come.
Phase 1: Pre-Closure
Dates: July 27 – September 4, 2026
Schedule: Nightly closures from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
During this phase, preliminary work for the runway rehabilitation project will take place overnight. All activity will occur after the final scheduled flight of the day to avoid disruptions to normal air service.
Phase 2: Full Runway Closures
Dates: September 11–14, 2026, and September 18–21, 2026
Schedule: Two full 72-hour runway closures
Phase 2 will involve intensive pavement rehabilitation requiring two weekend-long closures of Runway 4/22. The airport will close the runway from 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 11, through 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 14, and again from 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 18, through 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21.
Phase 3: Post-Closure Work
Dates: September 14 – November 12, 2026
Schedule: Nightly closures from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
The final phase will include remaining rehabilitation and finishing work. All activities will take place overnight to limit impacts on flight operations. Once complete, the project will ensure the long-term safety and reliability of Runway 4/22.
The Runway was last paved in 2009. Just like highways, runways need periodic maintenance to function effectively. The normal lifespan of asphalt requires repaving every 15-20 years. It has been 17 years since the runway was last paved and 30 years since the shoulders have been addressed. Delaying work will increase costs of the project and the length of runway closures.
September is typically one of the driest months of the year. It is also a slower month for air travel for the airlines. The project schedule allows airlines to operate all Friday morning flights before 8am and welcome arrivals after 8am on Monday. For travelers, this accommodates trips departing Friday morning and returning the following Monday on both closure weekends.
The rehabilitation project is a critical component of GSP’s future. We anticipate passenger activity to increase around 5% per year for the next 10 years. Likewise, we anticipate general aviation and cargo flights to increase. To serve the needs of the region, GSP will need to have a well-maintained airfield infrastructure.
Airlines are already making plans to accommodate the two 72-hour closures. Most airlines will begin selling tickets up to 300 days in advance.
Yes, rental cars will be available during the closure. Rental cars companies are located in the new Garage C and their operations will not be interrupted.
No, since there will be no flights offered during the 72-hour closures, the terminal will not be open to the public. We will use that time to complete maintenance projects that are difficult to complete when the terminal is busy.
Yes, other regional airports will not be impacted by this runway project.
Our general aviation partner airports will also operate normally during the two 72-hour closures.
Cargo flights will not operate during the 72-hour closures. However, they will resume as soon as possible after the closure.
Please call our Information Center at 864-877-7426 or text us at 864-485-8885.