(AP) -- Beaufort County and town officials have agreed to extend the Hilton Head Island airport runway to as much as 5,400 feet.
The Island Packet of Hilton Head reported the idea was approved Wednesday despite opposition from some nearby residents.
The two councils passed a joint resolution approving a consultant's 20-year master plan for the airport. It calls for extending the runway from 4,300 feet to 5,400 feet in two phases.
The work would be done on existing airport property so there is no threat to a 120-year-old black church nearby.
The consultants say the extension is needed to ensure future air service. Their report concluded that because of the existing runway length and nearby trees, the airport is only marginally adequate for service to Charlotte and Atlanta.
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