Overview:
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is being reminded to prepare for the winter season by ordering bulk salt for runway maintenance. In early 2025, flight operations were severely disrupted for days after a light snowstorm revealed the airport’s lack of proper snow removal resources. Presence News investigated firsthand, discovering unsafe practices and confusion over responsibility between the airport and the neighboring Air Force base.
As the fall chill settles over the Lowcountry, Charleston International Airport (CHS) is being reminded that now is the time to prepare for winter weather. The region experiences around 20 days per year with below-freezing temperatures. Aviation safety experts recommend ordering at least 50 tons of bulk salt — an inexpensive but essential safeguard to keep runways clear.
Earlier in 2025, Charleston’s airport operations ground to a halt for several days following just one inch of snow. Thousands of passengers were stranded as crews struggled to clear the runways using skid steers equipped with grading buckets. This method was both inefficient and dangerous.
Process
“Seeing skid steers scraping ice 72 hours after snowfall was alarming,” said a Presence News reporter on site. “At that point, it’s not just a delay — it’s a safety hazard.”
Operating a skid steer with a grading bucket on concrete poses serious risks. At speeds of just 10 miles per hour, hitting a crack can bring the 8,000-pound machine to a sudden stop. This can send the operator head-first into the glass cab enclosure.
Under normal standards, a one-inch snowstorm should take about three hours to clear. The process involves plowing or pushing the surface, spreading several yards of salt, and allowing the runway to dry.
Response
When Presence News reached out to Charleston Airport management, officials responded that snow removal wasn’t their direct responsibility. They cited that the land is leased from the U.S. Air Force.
To verify, Presence News then visited the adjacent Charleston Air Force Base, which shares the same airfield. However, Air Force personnel asked the news team to leave the property, stating civilian access restrictions.
Persistence led to contact with a base commander, who confirmed that a “Deuce and a Half” military truck loaded with bulk salt was being deployed. Presence News questioned whether that would be sufficient. The truck’s 10,000-pound payload limit meant it could carry roughly five tons of salt, far below the recommended minimum for current runway conditions.
“You need more than five tons,” the reporter noted. “You have a half-inch sheet of ice from scraping and refreezing every night.”
CHS leases property from Air Force
The commander responded with curiosity about how the news outlet knew the truck’s capacity. “Because we’ve worked in logistics — and this is a CDL-level operation,” Presence News replied. “Snow removal is high liability work. It’s recommend to be subcontracted out.”
The investigation highlights an urgent need for Charleston’s airport to improve its winter operations planning. Proper preparation not only prevents flight cancellations but also ensures the safety of staff and passengers.
Presence News recommends Charleston International Airport secure at least 50 tons of bulk salt ahead of the coming winter season — a simple, cost-effective step to avoid another costly shutdown.
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