These SC airports have collision ‘hot spots,’ the FAA says. Here’s where, what that means

Statistically, flying is one of the safest modes of transportation, with a risk of injury or death far lower than that of traveling by car. Nevertheless, passengers are right to expect the highest standards of safety from the airport they are using.

Some airports don’t meet these expectations, according to a recent report from the Federal Aviation Administration, the nation’s aviation authority.

The FAA report flagged more than 150 airports across the country for safety concerns and tracked the airports’ collision ‘hot spots.’

A hot spot is a location at an airport with a history or potential risk of collision or runway incursion, and where heightened attention by pilots and drivers is necessary, according to the FAA. Several South Carolina airports were included in the report.

These are the four SC airports that pilots need to be cautious at:

SC airports flagged as collision hot spots

Charleston International Airport

According to the FAA’s report, there are two collision hot spots at the Charleston International Airport.

The first hot spot is at the airport’s taxiway A, taxiway F and runway 15-33. These areas have confusing intersections that may affect a pilot’s ability to safely maneuver around the airport.

Pilots also have to be extra cautious when crossing runway 21 from Taxiway E to Taxiway A or Taxiway A1.

In the first two months of 2026, the Charleston International Airport has boarded more than 383,000 travelers.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport

There are also two collision hot spots at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

Pilots are warned to be extra vigilant when departing on Runway 23. Eastbound traffic on Taxiway A can cause pilots to miss the turn onto Taxiway C and inadvertently enter Runway 23.

At the second collision hot spot, pilots need to maintain vigilance due to the taxiway’s complex geometry. Taxiway D enters Runway 29 behind the runway’s threshold, which indicates the beginning of the portion of the runway that is available for landing. Additionally, Taxiway D7 requires aircraft to turn parallel to Runway 29 before Taxiway D.

The Columbia Metropolitan Airport flew over 1.3 million travelers in 2025.

Florence Regional Airport

The Florence Regional Airport has only one collision hot spot. The FAA’s report advises pilots to be aware when they are taxiing eastbound on Taxiway B3, because pilots sometimes miss the turn onto Taxiway B and enter Runway 01/19 without authorization.

In 2025, the Florence Regional Airport employed 428 people and had an economic output of $58.2 million.

Greenville Downtown Airport

The Greenville Downtown Airport is the state’s busiest general aviation airport, and the FAA noticed one area of concern in their report. The agency wants pilots to be extra vigilant at this airport because of its complex runway and taxiway intersection.

This airport employs more than 547 people and has a direct annual economic impact of $68.8 million in SC.

This story was originally published April 3, 2026 at 6:00 AM.