Charleston AFB / International (KCHS), South Carolina
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Charleston AFB / International (KCHS) is a joint military-civil airfield in Charleston, South Carolina, sitting roughly 6 nautical miles from the metro area. As a Tier 1 facility, it handles substantial annual traffic, with business aviation accounting for a significant share of the 108,461 total operations recorded in 2025 per FAA TFMSC data. The field operates under active Air Force management alongside its civilian terminal, which shapes many of the operational procedures and restrictions dispatchers will encounter when planning into KCHS.
Runways
Charleston AFB / International has two paved runways. The longest, 15/33, is 9,001 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Charleston AFB / International has Jet A1+ and 100 available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Charleston AFB / International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Charleston AFB / International recorded 31,241 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in April and October. Business aviation traffic at KCHS is somewhat concentrated in the spring and fall months, with April and October showing the highest monthly operations counts.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 3,110 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Charleston AFB / International averages 21.4 days above 90°F in July, 9.1 freeze days in January and 0.1 snow days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 91.3°F, and January the coldest, at 60.2°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Charleston AFB / International has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, emergency arresting systems, construction and other notes.
Prior permission is required for parking of general aviation aircraft on the terminal ramp; contact the field.
Restriction: AMC aircraft operations are restricted during Bird Watch Condition Moderate, when takeoff or landing is permitted only when the departure or arrival route avoids identified bird activity, and no local IFR or VFR traffic pattern flying is allowed. During Bird Watch Condition Severe, takeoffs and landings are prohibited without operations group or command approval. Contact Palmetto Ops for the current Bird Watch Condition.
Restriction: non-AMC aircrews requiring remain-overnight service must contact the Command Post, Palmetto Ops, prior to arrival. The terminal apron is restricted to commercial air carrier aircraft and aircraft requiring customs clearance, with prior permission required.
Caution: migratory bird season Phase II runs April 1-15 and August 1 through November 30. Runway 15/33 has a raised approach light in the overrun; runway 03/21 has an 800-foot overrun.
Miscellaneous: temporary storage of classified materials is limited. A 24-hour prior notice is required with Airfield Management, and prior coordination is required. Contact Base Ops 24 hours before arrival. No classified storage is available at the Command Post. For top secret storage, contact the 437th Special Operations Squadron 24 hours before arrival.
Caution: runway 15/33 has 1,000-foot overruns with frangible raised approach lights.
Transient aircraft heading to the military ramp require a follow-me escort. Military aircraft requiring FBO parking or service require prior permission.
Restriction: prior permission is required, except for aeromedical evacuation, Special Air Mission, and AMC GDSS II mission aircraft. For numbers and local training flight transient alert support, contact Airfield Management.
Miscellaneous: the passenger terminal operates 0930-0330Z daily. After hours, contact the terminal directly. C-17 engine-running onloads and offloads are available with 24-hour prior notice; contact the 437th Aerial Port Squadron for coordination and approval. Passenger and cargo information should be passed to Palmetto Ops 3 hours prior to arrival.
Service/lighting: runway 15 ALSF-2 approach lighting system also operates as SSALR during visual meteorological conditions.
Miscellaneous: for combat off-load operations on the north end of taxiway D, ensure pallets land prior to the lead-in line to the runway 15 approach end. Contact Ground if a pallet lands beyond the lead-in line.
Lights for both runways are Air Force specification type.
Restriction: runway 03/21 is closed the second Tuesday of each month from 1330 to 2200Z. Runway 15/33 is closed the last Tuesday of each month during the same window.
Caution: a fuel pit and switch obstruction, 36 inches high, is located 75 feet left of taxiway D centerline, north of taxiway E.
Runway condition code (RWYCC) is not reported.
Restriction: expect runway 15/33 operations suspended daily from 1230 to 1300Z for an air-to-ground inspection.
Miscellaneous: runways 15/33 and 03/21 are grooved.
Type-H BAK-12A(B) arresting device, 1,260 feet.
Type-H BAK-12A(B) arresting device, 1,460 feet.
Caution: runway 21 has frequently parked train cars at 25 feet above ground level, a construction and utility storage yard at 20 feet above ground level 1,000 feet from the threshold, and gravel piles at 50 feet above ground level 1,500 feet from the threshold.
Liquid oxygen servicing is available to military aircraft.
No student solo touch-and-go landings are allowed.
Intensive heavy military jet and other aircraft activity occurs, including numerous cargo and personnel drops, high-speed low-level formation flights, and miscellaneous air-to-ground operations.
Parking on the terminal apron is restricted to commercial air carrier aircraft and aircraft requiring customs clearance, by prior arrangement only.
Fluid: soap. Routine soap samples are not available. Special products available: PRESAIR, LHOX, LOX.
Oil: non-detergent oil is not available for piston aircraft. Available grades: O-128, O-133, O-148 (military).
See FLIP AP/1 supplementary airport remarks.
Restriction: all inbound VIP Code 7 or higher, passenger, and cargo aircraft must contact Palmetto Ops no later than 30 minutes prior to landing.
Restriction: all aircraft must contact Palmetto Ops before entering the military ramp for a parking assignment.
Traffic pattern altitudes: rectangular pattern 1,200 feet, overhead pattern 1,700 feet, light aircraft 700 feet, C-5A aircraft 2,000 feet.
Miscellaneous: contact Airfield Management for coordination. When out of office hours, contact the alternate number. If the civilian side of the airport is the final destination, the aircraft commander will indicate this on the DD Form 175. Dangerous cargo aircraft should contact the airport traffic control tower primarily, and Palmetto Ops secondarily. All AMC mission aircraft should contact Palmetto Ops when within radio range.
Miscellaneous: PMSV radio is unavailable. PMSV phone patch is available through the 628th Command Post. The weather flight is closed on weekends, holidays, and down days. Military weather field airfield support is available around the clock for severe weather. Mission weather support hours are 1100-2300Z Monday through Thursday and 1100-2100Z Friday, closed weekends, holidays, and down days. Mission weather support briefings for aircrews are available via the 260th Weather Squadron at Barksdale AFB during military weather flight closure hours.
Service/lighting: the airfield beacon is not visible from the northwest.
Service: the military side of KCHS provides no security and no aircraft services at the FBOs or commercial terminal.
Caution: aircraft on the military ramp must contact Charleston Ground Control for engine start and taxi.
Restriction: RVR is available via the FAA air traffic control tower.
Miscellaneous: airfield surface weather observations are taken in accordance with FAA criteria, not Air Force criteria.
Service fuel: all aircraft requiring fuel should have in their possession the white DD Form 1896 fuel card, US government air card, or base billing information.
Caution: fire support is reduced for C-5 and An-124 aircraft, resulting in degraded firefighting capability. C-5 and An-124 aircraft experiencing an emergency must closely coordinate their requirements with Palmetto Ops.
Caution: military side wingtip clearance lines are located at taxiway D, 161 feet from the taxiway centerline, and at the ramp inter-taxiway, 115 feet from the centerline.
Restriction: C-5, B-747, and An-124 aircraft must taxi with outboard engines at idle.
Fuel: A++ grade for military use; A+ grade available through the field's civilian fixed base operator (also listed as 100LL and A1+).
All aircraft should use the upper antenna until airborne.
Airfield grass cutting operations are conducted in the controlled movement area year-round; contact Airfield Management for the daily location.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Charleston AFB / International has five airfields within 31 NM. The closest is Charleston Executive (KJZI), 12.01 NM south.
Part of the Charleston, South Carolina area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KCHS
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KCHS.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the runway configuration at KCHS?
Charleston AFB / International operates two paved concrete runways. Runway 15/33 is the longer of the two at 9,001 feet, with a width of 150 feet. Runway 03/21 measures 7,000 feet long and is also 150 feet wide. Both runways are grooved, and both are equipped with a Type-H BAK-12A(B) arresting system. KCHS is a towered field, and RVR data is available through the FAA ATCT.
Is fuel available at KCHS for civilian aircraft?
Charleston AFB / International carries both 100LL and Jet A fuel in its listed fuel types. Military-grade A++ fuel is provided on the military side, while A+ fuel for civilian users is offered separately from the FBO operation on the field. Non-detergent oil is not available for piston aircraft. Anyone requiring fuel is expected to have proof of payment method in hand, such as a government fuel card or base billing information, since this is a shared military-civil airfield.
Are there parking restrictions for general aviation aircraft at Charleston AFB / International?
Yes, parking on the terminal apron at Charleston AFB / International is restricted to commercial air carrier aircraft and aircraft requiring customs clearance, and only by prior arrangement. General aviation aircraft need prior permission to park on the terminal ramp. Any aircraft entering the military ramp must contact Palmetto Ops beforehand for a parking assignment. Transient aircraft heading to the military ramp also require a follow-me escort. These layered restrictions reflect the field's dual military and civilian operating structure.
Does KCHS have scheduled runway closures?
Yes, Charleston AFB / International schedules recurring monthly runway closures. Runway 03/21 closes on the second Tuesday of each month between 1330 and 2200Z. Runway 15/33 closes on the last Tuesday of each month during the same window. Separately, runway 15/33 operations are also suspended daily from 1230 to 1300Z for an air-to-ground inspection. Dispatchers planning arrivals or departures at KCHS should account for these recurring windows.
What customs and border procedures apply at Charleston AFB / International?
Charleston AFB / International has CBP inspection services available onsite, allowing customs clearance directly at the field. Aircraft requiring customs processing are directed to the terminal apron, and this parking is granted only by prior arrangement alongside commercial air carrier traffic. Because KCHS shares military and civilian operations, coordination with Palmetto Ops or the terminal is typically required ahead of arrival. This dual-use structure means customs procedures at KCHS run alongside active military airfield operations rather than through a standalone civilian facility.