MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recognized Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) as the 2021 Category II-IV Airport of the Year as part of the annual TSA Honorary Awards announced on March 10, 2022.
Myrtle Beach International was selected by TSA leadership for outstanding operational performance during the year. Passenger volume at the airport increased by 200% in July and August from 2020 to 2021 and approximately 40% from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Local leadership worked closely within the state and TSA headquarters to secure additional manpower and resources to maintain a strong security posture and screen passengers as efficiently and effectively as possible. This included the addition of personnel from the TSA National Deployment Officer (NDO) force and TSA Explosive Detection Canine Teams, who were deployed to the airport to assist with the dramatic increase in passenger volume, which surpassed checkpoint lane capacity by up to four lanes during busy periods last summer.
“It is a great honor to have an airport recognized but the true recognition goes to the workforce and the leadership that always comes in with a positive attitude and team spirit,” said David McMahon, TSA Federal Security Director for South Carolina. “The workforce at Myrtle Beach and supplementing deployment officers deserve to be recognized for their outstanding performance.”
Myrtle Beach shares the title of Airport of the Year with Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, which was selected as the winner among large airports. The full listing of TSA Honorary Award recipients and additional information can be found here.