Moore County Airport Economic Output Soars to over $135 Million
Airport Director and Authority Board Focus on Growth and Expansion for the Future
CARTHAGE, NC—The first of the year at the Moore County Airport is usually a quiet time based on the seasonality of the Pinehurst and Southern Pines resort communities, but business as usual is not in the DNA of Airport Director Rick Cloutier.
That is because Cloutier is in full throttle, business development mode for the future, knowing that the Moore County Airport just observed 2024 as its busiest year since the original airfield was established in 1929.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation recently released their biannual State of Aviation report ranking Moore County in the top 16 of all North Carolina airports for economic output at $135,520,000, a 26.5% increase over the previous study. The collected data was through 2023, which does not take into account the epic level of aircraft arrivals and departures in 2024.
Focusing on the infrastructure of the airport has been a priority for the Moore County Airport Authority, which oversees the management of the airport operations. Expansion with new general aircraft hangars and the development of larger corporate aircraft hangars is an ongoing process, and the local airport has had several of these hangars completed within the few years. One corporate hangar is currently under construction and several more are in the planning stages for the airport’s immediate future.
A substantial waiting list to occupy the new hangar spaces from individuals with their own aircraft, businesses and military defense contractors already at the airport is a “good problem” to have for Cloutier. But with new hangars come the need for expanded taxiways, and at the same time, the airport is preparing for a major conversion for the airport ramp from the existing asphalt to a state-of-the-art cement surface, providing a longer life for the tarmac and the ability to accommodate heavier aircraft, especially in the warmer months.
“We are pleased to see the positive level of growth at the airport and an increase in customers that are based here,” said Airport Authority Chairman Adam Kiker. “We are seeing more local business with a desire to base larger aircraft at Moore County, and we are working hard to accommodate their needs with larger hangars.”
The recent expansion of the United States Golf Association (USGA) to Pinehurst has, and will continue to, impact the airport for years to come. The 2024 U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst generated record numbers of flights and passengers routing through Moore County Airport with nearly 1800 flights in a seven-day period. Knowing that this Championship will return every five years, along with other USGA Championships during the intervening years, the
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airport is laser-focused on making the arrival and departure experience the best possible for the thousands of anticipated passengers.
Cloutier was pleased with how well the staff and volunteers handled the massive influx of aircraft and passengers during the Open week this past June.
“The feedback we received from the pilots and passengers that traveled to Moore County for the U.S. Open was very
positive,” stated Cloutier, adding that, “We were told that the Moore County Airport experience was superior to
other major sporting events, including the NCAA Basketball Championships, the Masters and the Super Bowl. This a tribute to our dedicated staff and volunteers who worked to welcome the world to Moore County for the U.S. Open Championship.”
One of the major goals for the short-term future of the airport is to enhance the airport terminal, which no longer can effectively support the amount of traffic and onsite businesses that are based within the current physical facilities. The Airport Authority has charged Cloutier with the proper due diligence to develop a new terminal that is slated for completion in 2027. The Alliiance architectural firm based in Minneapolis, MN, has been chosen for their expertise in airport design by Cloutier who has worked with them at other airports he has operated.
The firm is currently working with a committee of local business stakeholders, including local resorts; Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB); Moore County Economic Development Partnership; the USGA and local elected officials for the various towns and villages adjacent to the airport. They have been holding visioning workshops to ascertain a “sense of place” and theme for the new terminal design. The facility is targeted to be much larger that the one which currently exists, at 15,000 square feet, with the focus on creating an exceptional arrival and departure experience. The master plan and design will be completed later this year, with construction expected to begin in early 2026 and completion in 2027. Elements of the new design will be made public in the coming months.
“Allowing area businesses and officials to assist in the framing of the new airport design will equip our architects with the needed background from a community that is steeped in history and tradition,” added Cloutier. “There is great value in storytelling within their architectural designs, especially for first time visitors to Moore County. We are thankful for the federal and state grant funding we have received for this project and look forward moving forward later this year.”
Fueled by the rapid increase in tourism in the county and record economic numbers, the airport is currently researching opportunities for Moore County commercial air service, which ended several years ago. The airport contracted with Volaire Aviation Consulting to complete a Catchment Area Study for the Moore County community, which examines the travel patterns of area residents and those in neighboring counties as well as the arriving passengers and travelers routing into Moore County.
The study was sponsored by the CVB, with the results very favorable in indicating that the airport and community could support commercial service in the future. Senior leadership from the airport, CVB and economic development have continued to research the opportunities for commercial service and and have attended several meetings around the country interviewing various potential commercial carriers to gage their interest in partnering with Moore County Airport.
Phil Werz, President and CEO of the CVB, pointed out that the return of commercial air service to the Moore County Airport would complement the positive growth in tourism that the area has experienced over the past few years.
“With the USGA having a base in Pinehurst and the addition of more national Championships being held at our local premier golf courses, commercial air service would be a welcome addition to the Home of American Golf,” Werz added.
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Kiker stated that the Moore County Airport is here to serve the residents and businesses within the Moore County community.
“Our goal is to provide a positive experience and high level of service for the customers who base their aircraft at the airport and to those the travel in and out of the airport daily,” Kiker declared. “The re-establishment of commercial air service is a complicated process, but we are pleased with the results of the research we have conducted and the progress that is being made for this opportunity.”
The airport is owned by Moore County; however, the airport operations budget is primarily funded by fuel sales, hangar rentals, landing and other fees. The infrastructure and capital improvements are mostly funded from state and federal Airport Improvement Grants (AIP). The Airport Authority has oversight of the business side of the airport, with the Airport Director and his staff handling the day-to-day operations, as well as the development of new business and project management.
The recently established Business Advisory Committee, made of community business leaders, assists the Authority and senior staff with input and guidance for the strategic planning for the airport and fulfill the mission of the airport to be an engine of economic growth and opportunity for the people of Moore County and the region. Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Pinehurst Resort Eric Kuester is Chairman of the committee which includes the CVB, Moore County Economic Development Partnership, Sandhills Community College, First Health, the USGA and Lee Electric.
“We are pleased at the path the Airport Authority and staff are following for the future of the airport,” stated Kuester. “The recent release of the state economic figures and results of the research we have conducted in the past year, serves as validation to strengthen the facilities and services for our airport. I believe our best days are in front of us as we continue executing against our collective vision.”
In late September 2024, hours after the devastation of Hurricane Helene to the western region of NC, the airport was called into action to serve as a depot for donated relief supplies. What started as a simple drop and go operation quickly became one of the largest relief efforts that Moore County has ever seen. An army of local citizens, businesses and area pilots jumped into action and were responsible for putting together thousands of emergency supply kits and distributing over 36 tons of donated supplies to the areas that were damaged or destroyed by the storm.
Cloutier added: “As we continue to serve those residents who enjoy flying for business and for pleasure, we know the airport is here for all the citizens of Moore County and the region. We are pleased to provide opportunities for local Red Cross blood drives and host upcoming events like the “Smokin in the Pines” Barbecue competition in the Spring, Young Eagles Kids Fly Free days, and our signature event– the Festival D’Avion which continues to honor the men and women of the armed forces, celebrating its 7th year in October. The state of the airport is strong, and an exciting future is ready to take off.”
About Moore County Airport
The Moore County Airport was established in 1929 when the Tufts family, founders, and operators of the Pinehurst Resort, opened a dirt runway and named it “Knollwood Airport.” The airport was acquired by Moore County in 1935 and was later leased to the U.S. Army Air Corps until 1945, when it transitioned from a military airfield to a commercial
airfield. The Pinehurst-Southern Pines Airport enjoyed limited commercial airline service from Piedmont Airlines (later USAir) but that service was discontinued following September 11, 2001.
Moore County Airport (KSOP), located just minutes away from Pinehurst and Southern Pines, North Carolina, is the “Gateway to the Home of American Golf.” The premier general aviation jetport welcomes pilots and passengers to a
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destination that is rich in history, tradition, and true southern hospitality. The airport offers a full range of amenities and services for private aircraft and provides flight training, aircraft maintenance and charter flight services.
Connect with Moore County Airport:
Website: www.moorecountyairport.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/moorecountyairport
Instagram: www.instagram.com/moorecountyairport/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCVktedXWy4lybikKPy_um2w