Columbia, Missouri: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Columbia, Missouri is served by the Columbia Regional Airport (IATA: COU, ICAO: KCOU), a commercial passenger airport located about 12 miles (19 km) southeast of the city in Boone County. The airport is served by American Airlines, which operates non-stop flights to Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago O'Hare International Airports. Columbia Regional Airport is the only commercial airport in Mid-Missouri and also serves the state capital, Jefferson City.

Columbia Regional Airport's location and history

Columbia Regional Airport (IATA: COU, ICAO: KCOU) is located in Missouri, about 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Columbia in Boone County. It is the only commercial airport in Mid-Missouri and also serves the state capital, Jefferson City. The airport covers 1,538 acres (622 ha) at an elevation of 889 feet (271 m) and has two runways.

The airport opened in 1968, replacing the Columbia Municipal Airport off of Interstate 70. Columbia Municipal Airport was founded in 1928 and was located on US Highway 40 at the western edge of Columbia. The site today is part of Cosmo Recreation Center, managed by Columbia Parks and Recreation, and the roadway is known as Business Loop 70 West. The land was leased from the Allton Brothers, who had previously operated a flying service there. The Columbia Airport consisted of 470 acres purchased at a cost of $154,000, of which only $8,723.47 was contributed by the Federal Aviation Agency.

In 1962, the National Airport Plan recommended that Columbia have a 5,300-foot runway to accommodate the Convair CV340 at Columbia Municipal Airport. The estimated cost for the improvement was $3,000,000 for clearing, grading, runway extension, taxiway, apron, acquisition of the south instrument approach zone, and a terminal building.

Twenty-three sites were examined for the potential new airfield, and the search was narrowed to five: Highway K, Fulton Road, Highway M, Highway DD, and Highway H. On October 23, 1963, Horner and Shifrin Consulting Engineers of St. Louis submitted a report to the City of Columbia recommending the Highway H (Elkhurst) site. The estimated cost of the entire development was $3,410,000, of which $1,515,000 was expected to come from a grant under the Federal Aid Airport Program.

The Columbia City Council called for a bond election, which was approved in January 1964. In May 1966, the Federal Aviation Agency approved a federal grant to pay part of the cost of buying the airport site. In November 1966, the city had obtained 183 acres for the airport site. Construction on the Columbia Regional Airport officially began on August 11, 1967. The airport opened in December 1968 and the bond was paid off in the spring of 1986.

Airlines and flights

Columbia, Missouri is served by Columbia Regional Airport (IATA: COU, ICAO: KCOU). It is located about 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Columbia in Boone County, and it is the only commercial airport in Mid-Missouri. The airport covers 1,538 acres (622 ha) at an elevation of 889 feet (271 m). It has two runways: 2/20 is 7,401 by 150 feet (2,256 x 46 m) concrete, and 13/31 is 5,500 by 100 feet (1,641 x 30 m) asphalt.

As of 2022, commercial passenger service is provided by American Airlines subsidiary American Eagle, with non-stop flights from Columbia to Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago O'Hare International Airports. Additional flights by American Airlines began in April 2024.

In the past, the airport has been served by several other airlines, including Trans World Express (Trans States Airlines), American Connection (Trans States Airlines), US Airways Express (Air Midwest), Northwest Airlink (Mesaba Airlines), Delta Connection (Pinnacle Airlines), ExpressJet Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. These airlines offered flights to various destinations such as St. Louis, Kansas City, Memphis, Atlanta, and Orlando.

The airport has a new terminal that opened in October 2022, offering improved facilities and expanded capacity. The terminal features additional square footage for future expansions, a new ticketing lobby, baggage claim, larger security checkpoints, larger restrooms, mothers' rooms, a sensory room, an animal relief area, and room for concessionaires.

Terminal facilities and amenities

Columbia Regional Airport (COU) offers a variety of terminal facilities and amenities to enhance the travel experience for its passengers. The airport's new terminal, which opened in October 2022, provides additional features and an expanded space of 56,000 square feet.

Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, allowing them to stay connected for work or entertainment. There is also a comfortable waiting area with seating to relax before flights. For dining options, the airport features Tailwinds Market, located post-security, offering an upgraded selection of food and beverages, including sandwiches, salads, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Tailwinds Market is open 24/7 and allows for quick purchases using innovative technology. A comfortable seating area is available near the market, featuring TVs and easy access to the gates. Additionally, the airport plans to add kitchen space in the terminal for a hot grill, further expanding the dining options.

The terminal also includes a larger security checkpoint with room to add more lanes, larger restrooms with gender-neutral and family options, mothers' rooms for nursing, a sensory room, and an animal relief area. For added convenience, the airport provides parking facilities close to the terminal, with options for both short-term and long-term parking. Car rental services are also available on-site, making it easy for travellers to secure transportation upon their arrival.

Parking and transportation

Columbia Regional Airport (IATA: COU, ICAO: KCOU) is located about 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Columbia, Missouri, in Boone County. It is the only commercial airport in Mid-Missouri and also serves the state capital, Jefferson City.

If you have a flight from Columbia Regional Airport, there are several transportation options available to you. If you don't want to worry about parking, you can ask a friend or family member to drive you to the airport and take advantage of short-term parking. Alternatively, you can meet your colleagues at the office and share a taxi ride to the airport for a curbside drop-off. If you have no other choice but to drive yourself, rest assured that Columbia Regional Airport (COU) provides long-term parking that is safe and secure for your vehicle.

The airport covers 1,538 acres (622 ha) at an elevation of 889 feet (271 m). It consists of two runways: 2/20, which is 7,401 by 150 feet (2,256 x 46 m) concrete, and 13/31, which is 5,500 by 100 feet (1,341 x 23 m) asphalt.

For those driving themselves to the airport, there are a few parking options available. The airport offers long-term parking for those who need to leave their car for an extended period. Short-term parking is also available for those who are dropping off or picking up passengers and only need to park for a short duration.

In addition to driving, travellers can also take a taxi or a rideshare to the airport. This option is convenient for those who do not have access to a car or prefer not to drive. Ridesharing can also be a more cost-effective option for those travelling with others.

The airport is easily accessible and provides a relaxed flying experience. It is served by American Airlines, with non-stop flights to Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago O'Hare International Airports. With American Airlines at COU, travellers are just minutes away from safe, reliable, and convenient travel to hundreds of cities and dozens of countries worldwide.

Accidents and incidents

Columbia, Missouri, is served by the Columbia Regional Airport, which has been the region's only commercial airport since it opened in 1968. Here are some details of accidents and incidents involving the airport:

January 30, 1990

A Hawker Siddeley HS-125 operated by Slender You Ltd. crashed about 2 miles east of Columbia Regional Airport. The crash was caused by fuel starvation, low levels of deice fluid, and ice blockage of the fuel filters. Sadly, one crew member died, and there were only two other occupants on board.

January 11, 2019

American Eagle Flight 5766, en route from Dallas-Fort Worth, slid off the runway after landing in icy and snowy conditions. The Bombardier CRJ-900, operated by Mesa Airlines, was the first flight to attempt landing at the airport after the ground crew cleared the runway of ice and snow. Reports indicate that the runway was still very slick with ice. Fortunately, all passengers and crew were unharmed.

Frequently asked questions