Charleston International Airport (KCHS)
Large airport · Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Airport data
| Name | Charleston International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KCHS |
| IATA | CHS |
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 32°53'46" W 80°2'17" 32.89616, -80.03815 |
| Location | Charleston, South Carolina, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/21 | 7,000 ft (2134 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 15/33 | 9,001 ft (2744 m) | 150 ft | CON | Yes |
Charleston International Airport at a glance
Charleston International Airport is a large airport in Charleston, South Carolina, United States, known to airline systems as CHS. The field elevation of 46 ft (14 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KCHS are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 15/33 — offers 9,001 ft (2744 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 15 points roughly 150° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KCHS shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Charleston International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field | KNBC | 79 km (43 NM) |
| Hilton Head Airport | KHXD | 97 km (52 NM) |
| Orangeburg Municipal Airport | KOGB | 99 km (53 NM) |
| Shaw Air Force Base | KSSC | 126 km (68 NM) |
| Mc Entire Joint National Guard Base | KMMT | 134 km (72 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Charleston International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 46 ft field elevation of Charleston International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Charleston International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Charleston International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Charleston International Airport is KCHS, and its IATA code is CHS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Charleston International Airport above sea level?
Charleston International Airport sits at an elevation of 46 feet (14 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Charleston International Airport located?
The airport lies at 32.8962, -80.0382 — in Charleston, South Carolina, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field, about 79 km away.
Does KCHS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KCHS appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Charleston International Airport?
Charleston International Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 15/33, measures 9,001 ft (2744 m) with a CON surface.