South Carolina has made a name for itself as a place that can not only make high-quality products, but can ship them around the world. And, for centuries, the state's ports have played an integral role in South Carolina's global connectivity.
Today, another tool will officially be added to the state's economic development arsenal when British Airways debuts its first non-stop flight between London's Heathrow Airport and the Charleston International Airport. Not only does the twice-weekly flight represent the first direct trans-Atlantic flight from the Palmetto State, it also represents an increased ability for South Carolina to reach worldwide markets with a direct connection to Western Europe.
These flights will further enhance the state's marketability for international business and, specifically, will strengthen the state's position as a major player for headquarters facilities and other office operations that often need their workers to be highly mobile with access to other major business hubs around the world.
I'm confident these new flights will boost South Carolina's global profile, ensuring our state's economic prosperity for years to come.