Bryan County's $183 Million Airport Project Awaits GDOT Approval

The proposed airport must get the green light from the Georgia Department of Transportation before construction can begin.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Bryan County has established an airport authority board to oversee a proposed $183 million airport project, but the project still needs approval from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) before construction can begin. GDOT is conducting a regional study of 13 airports in Southeast Georgia, including analyzing current and future capacity needs, to determine if there is a need for an additional airport in the region.

Why it matters

The proposed airport is part of the region's efforts to keep up with rapid population and economic growth, including the addition of a new Hyundai Motor Group manufacturing plant. The GDOT study will provide guidance on whether the region's existing airports can accommodate the increased aviation demand or if a new airport is needed.

The details

The airport authority board was established after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority Act in 2025. The $183 million project cost is listed on Bryan County's website. GDOT's Southeast Georgia Regional System Plan will analyze 13 airports in the region, looking at factors like size and capacity, to determine if there is a need for an additional airport. If GDOT finds a need, the Bryan County airport authority can petition to have their proposed location considered.

  • In 2025, Gov. Brian Kemp signed the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority Act, enabling the county to establish an airport authority board.
  • Between October-December 2025, GDOT conducted outreach to airports in Southeast Georgia as part of its regional study.
  • On December 9, 2025, the Bryan County Commission passed a resolution to withdraw support from the airport authority.

The players

Bryan County Airport Authority

The county-established board overseeing the proposed $183 million airport project.

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)

The state agency that must approve the proposed airport project before construction can begin.

Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA)

The new Hyundai manufacturing plant in the region that is expected to drive increased aviation demand.

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What they’re saying

“The study will provide a foundation and guidance to GDOT and Federal Aviation Administration on future aviation capacity/demand in the region.”

— Cody Dupre, Aviation Planning Manager, GDOT (savannahnow.com)

“Growth in that area we expect will put pressure on the region's infrastructure, including the airport system. So, we look at 13 airports throughout the region and just study their current and existing infrastructure and see if we meet those needs.”

— Cody Dupre, Aviation Planning Manager, GDOT (savannahnow.com)

“The Hyundai plant, among other growth points such as the Port of Savannah, is expected to add economic growth to the region. The study will analyze the region's existing airports and whether those airports can accommodate that growth. The study will reflect added air cargo, air traffic, and additional aviation demand to the region.”

— Vento (savannahnow.com)

What’s next

GDOT will complete its regional study of 13 airports in Southeast Georgia and determine if there is a need for an additional airport in the region. If GDOT finds a need, the Bryan County airport authority can then petition to have their proposed location considered.

The takeaway

The proposed $183 million Bryan County airport project is part of the region's efforts to keep up with rapid population and economic growth, including the addition of a new Hyundai manufacturing plant. The project's fate now rests in the hands of GDOT, which is conducting a comprehensive study of the region's aviation infrastructure and capacity needs.