(GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA) – Pitt-Greenville Airport is using $4.5 million in new state money to chase a second airline, a move that could give eastern North Carolina more nonstop options and less dependence on Charlotte.

Travelers who use PGV now have one commercial choice, and the airport wants to widen that menu.

Governor Josh Stein signed North Carolina’s state budget on July 7, 2026, setting aside the money for a revenue guarantee agreement.

The airport says the goal is simple: make Greenville look less risky to airline planners and more attractive for new service.

Today, American Eagle is the only scheduled carrier at PGV, with commuter flights to Charlotte. That leaves local flyers tied to one hub, one schedule, and one airline’s pricing on most trips.

A second carrier would change the math for travelers who book through Greenville. More competition often pushes fares down, gives frequent flyers more earning choices, and opens up better one-stop connections on award tickets.

Airports this size usually have to buy attention from airlines. PGV is doing that here with a state-backed safety net instead of a straight subsidy, a structure that gives carriers protection if early sales are weak.

Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines have both been mentioned locally as possible additions, but no carrier has been confirmed. There is no timeline for a launch either, so this is still a search, not a done deal.

The revenue guarantee agreement is the key piece. If an airline comes in and revenue falls short of the projection, the money can cover the gap.

If demand is stronger than expected, the unused funds go back to the state.

That setup lowers the early risk for an airline testing a small market.

It also gives PGV a better shot at landing a route that might otherwise get passed over in favor of Raleigh-Durham or another larger airport.

Brandon Craft, PGV’s executive director, said the airport is actively seeking new airlines and wants to grow into a larger hub for eastern North Carolina.

Greenville Mayor P.J. Connelly said the funding should help during negotiations by giving carriers financial reassurance in the opening months of service.

Craft also said the airport is pursuing additional FAA and federal grants to improve facilities. Those upgrades matter because airlines look at gates, ramp space, and operational support before they commit aircraft and crews.

Competitive pressure is the real backdrop here. Raleigh-Durham sits about 80 miles west of Greenville, and that airport already offers far more nonstop choices.

PGV is trying to keep more local travelers from driving west before they fly.

There is also a loyalty angle if a second airline arrives. Delta would open SkyMiles earning and redemption options, while Southwest would bring Rapid Rewards and flexible award pricing.

American flyers would still have Charlotte access, but another carrier would give travelers a second program to compare on fares, schedules, and award space.

If Southwest gets the call, short-haul domestic awards could become especially useful on this market, since Southwest points are tied to cash fares.

Delta service would be more valuable for travelers chasing Medallion status, since even a small regional route can add qualifying miles and segments.

PGV is still at the beginning of the process. No airline has signed on, and no start date has been set.

Travelers who use the airport regularly should watch for carrier announcements this year, because the first new route will shape how much competition Greenville gets for years to come.

This route is ideal for travelers who want more than one airline choice out of eastern North Carolina and are willing to book quickly if a new carrier enters the market.