Anderson Regional Airport has a new terminal, a new charter airline now provides flights for the public and a way to keep commercial transportation running.

Since the airport announced plans for a $6.7 million renovation in 2018, the new terminal is an important step in a series of improvements.

The new offices waiting to be filled extend along the corridors of the new terminal building and include the office of pilot John Von Kaenel.

The pandemic has shaken the entire flying industry, but it has paved the way for von Carnell to try what he has always wanted to do and provide the public with on-demand flights. 

Von Kaenel started his aviation career for more than 15 years with charter flights, and he has a sporadic schedule, which is not static. 

He enjoyed the days of charter flights, but wanted a more rigorous experience, which allowed him to enter the business world, where he spent more than five years.

He said: "The real shock is the new coronary pneumonia."

In the first few months of the pandemic, the uncertainty in the aviation industry forced von Canel to face an important question: What do you really want to do with your life? 

He wanted to fly locally and connect with people, so he launched the Clemson charter company. 

Von Kaenel bought a Beechcraft Baron 58, which he calls a "flying SUV", which can comfortably seat four people.

He completed the 18-month process of obtaining the concession certificate. In August, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified his business outside the Oconee County Regional Airport.  

He said: "It's fun to get this adventure project started and started." 

curious? : This is all the contents of the Part 135 Charter Certificate

Anderson’s airport manager Brett Garrison heard about the Clemson charter company through his brother who manages the Oconee County Regional Airport. Garrison said he saw an opportunity to bring him to Anderson. In November, von Kenel moved his business to Anderson and started using the new office space.

Garrison said he was happy that the Anderson community now does not have to drive to Greenville for a private flight, and it is now easier to reach.

Garrison said that charter flights have been busier than at any time in history. With the delays and congestion of commercial airlines, companies are seeking consistency more than ever. 

According to data from the Federal Transport Agency, from August 2020 to August 2021, 15% of flights at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport were delayed, diverted or cancelled.

During the same period, 12% of flights were delayed, diverted or cancelled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and 10% of flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Interested in data from other airports? : Check here for the percentage of delays at other airports

Von Carnell regularly flies from Anderson to North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The flight time is usually one or two hours and the cost is about $2,000. 

From attending business meetings to delivering machine parts for the company, he delivers people and parts for various reasons. He also flew medical organs by plane.

The broker service hires him to transport organs from donors to patients. He usually has a time window of about 12 hours, so it makes more sense to take an airplane instead of a truck. 

Urgency is a way to separate charter flights from commercial flights. 

Due to safety issues, the pandemic initially led to an increase in private charter flights. When you are the only passenger on a private flight, it is easy to avoid the crowds.

Now, as many Upstate companies face shortages of supplies and parts, Von Kaenel believes his job is more important.

"I see more direct impacts. We can help our community. Not only is it bringing customers to business meetings or events, but also in terms of medical flights, transporting organs, you are actually helping someone's life here. "

In his view, it is worthwhile to directly participate in making changes.

According to Von Kaenel, this also looks like shipping a box of bolts for a heavy equipment manufacturer. Although it is not a charming look, he knows that his plane will get there sooner than driving 12 hours.

Kaenel said that in the end, this difference may be what drove the business that day.

Ryan Waguespack is the senior vice president of the National Air Transport Association. He has witnessed the development and growth of the charter business. 

Waguespack said that when the pandemic hit the United States in March 2020, flying activity dropped sharply. In the following month, there was a continuous increase in private flights.

Recently, he has seen charter flight activity hit a record high, while aircraft inventory is at a historically low level. 

Waguespack said that private travel was once seen as a luxury form of travel, but now it is vital to some businesses due to the pandemic. He said that if a company wants to reduce exposure risk, private travel is the answer.

Example of reducing exposure: Due to the restrictions of the new crown virus, the US team will have to charter a flight to the Beijing Olympics

As he looked to the future, he saw the development of the on-demand aviation business.

He is not talking about private jets.

He said that as the company continues to steer the current economy, all charter flights, big or small, should continue to grow. 

Waguespack said that the more unstable things are, the more people want to charter flights to create stability.

BMW spokesman Steve Wilson said that in the past 12 to 18 months, the number of chartered flights at BMW's manufacturing center in Greer has increased.

When the supply chain faces challenges, the center has been using charter flights for many years.  

"If parts need to be delivered faster due to component issues or natural disasters, regular air or commercial air freight is the preferred mode of transportation," Wilson said. 

He said that charter flights are the fastest option to ensure that parts arrive on time and production will not be delayed. 

Von Kaenel said that it takes 18 months for his aircraft to be certified because he needs the FAA inspection and the staff is stretched. 

Waguespack says that there is a shortage of planes — tires, windshields, FAA staff, etc. — and, ironically, charter flights can fill this gap by moving parts and personnel faster.

He said that many people are not aware of all the contents of the charter.

"It is considered a rich way of traveling," Waguespack said.

He said that charter flights are the backbone of moving parts.

Delays in manufacturing plants may cause a chain reaction, the cost of which is several times the cost of aircraft startup. 

"Supply chain shortages highlight the need for on-demand travel," he said.

Sarah Sheridan is a community reporter for Anderson. She will appreciate your help telling important stories; contact her via ssheridan@gannett.com or Twitter @saralinasher.