Columbia Regional Airport

Columbia Regional Airport is a public airport located in Boone County, Missouri, serving the city of Columbia, Missouri and the surrounding Mid-Missouri region. Owned by the City of Columbia, it functions as a vital transportation hub for the University of Missouri and the broader central Missouri area. The airport features scheduled passenger service operated by major carriers and supports general aviation, corporate, and military flight operations.

History

The airport's origins trace back to the 1960s when community leaders sought to replace the original Columbia Municipal Airport located near the University of Missouri campus. The current site was selected and developed, with the facility opening for service in the late 1960s. For decades, it was served by smaller regional carriers like Trans World Airlines and Ozark Air Lines, connecting the region to hubs such as St. Louis and Kansas City. A significant expansion and modernization project was completed in 2012, which included a new terminal building designed by the architectural firm Burns & McDonnell, greatly enhancing passenger capacity and amenities to accommodate growing demand from the University of Missouri System and local businesses.

Facilities

The airport sits on 1,538 acres of land and has two asphalt runways: Runway 2/20 and Runway 13/31. The passenger terminal, opened in 2012, features two gates, a TSA security checkpoint, rental car services from companies like Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and a restaurant. The airport is also home to fixed-base operators such as Signature Flight Support, which provide fueling, maintenance, and hangar services for general aviation. Other facilities support the Missouri Army National Guard and units of the Missouri Air National Guard, which occasionally conduct training operations at the field.

Airlines and destinations

As of 2024, the airport is served by two major airlines providing non-stop jet service to key domestic hubs. American Airlines operates flights to its major hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport using aircraft from its regional affiliate, Envoy Air. United Airlines, through its regional partner GoJet Airlines, provides service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Denver International Airport. These connections provide travelers with access to the global networks of the Oneworld and Star Alliance alliances, facilitating travel throughout North America and internationally.

Statistics

In 2023, the airport served approximately 150,000 passengers, making it one of the busiest commercial airports in central Missouri. It recorded around 33,000 total aircraft operations, a mix of air carrier, general aviation, and military flights. The top domestic destinations beyond the hub cities include Orlando, Las Vegas, and Phoenix, accessed via connecting flights. Cargo operations are limited but handled by carriers like FedEx Feeder. The airport is a designated port of entry for general aviation, with customs services available through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has maintained a strong safety record with no major fatal accidents involving commercial air carriers. In 2004, a Beechcraft King Air operated by Air Midwest on a positioning flight experienced a landing gear malfunction but landed safely without injuries. A more notable incident occurred in 2011 when a Cessna 210 crashed during approach in poor weather conditions near Jefferson City, Missouri, claiming the life of the pilot, who was a former executive with University of Missouri Health Care; the National Transportation Safety Board investigation cited spatial disorientation as a factor.

Category:Airports in Missouri Category:Transportation in Boone County, Missouri Category:Buildings and structures in Columbia, Missouri