Columbus, Ohio: Airport Hub Or Hassle?

Columbus, Ohio is served by four airports, two of which offer commercial services. The John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus and is the largest passenger terminal in central Ohio. The airport offers 148 non-stop flights to 31 airports via nine airlines daily. The other airport offering commercial services is Rickenbacker International Airport. The two general aviation airports, Bolton Field and The Ohio State University Airport, are used as reliever airports for corporate and personal aircraft.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport

Columbus, Ohio, is served by the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus. The airport is accessible by road, with direct access from exit number nine on Interstate 670 to International Gateway. Alternatively, drivers can enter from the east via Hamilton Road, just south of Interstate 270, or from the west via Stelzer Road.

The airport is named after John Glenn, an astronaut and four-term U.S. senator. It was formerly known as Port Columbus International Airport and opened on July 8, 1929, as the Columbus Municipal Hangar. The airport's original terminal building and hangars remain, with the hangars still in use today. The site was selected by Charles Lindbergh as the eastern air terminus of the Transcontinental Air Transport air-rail route from New York to Los Angeles. During World War II, the U.S. Navy took over most of the facility, establishing the Naval Air Station Columbus in 1942. The airport was returned to civilian authorities in 1946.

The airport offers various ground transportation options, including long-term and short-term parking in a connected six-story parking garage. Lower-cost satellite parking options with free shuttle services are also available in the Blue, Red, and Green parking lots along International Gateway. The airport is served by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), which provides bus services between the airport and downtown Columbus. Additionally, taxi and ride-sharing services are available at the airport.

Rickenbacker International Airport

Columbus, Ohio, is served by the Rickenbacker International Airport, located 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Columbus, near Lockbourne in southern Franklin County. The airport is named after flying ace and Columbus native Eddie Rickenbacker. It is primarily a cargo airport, but it has been serving an increasing number of passenger flights and charter carriers since 2012.

The airport has a fixed-base operator, Rickenbacker Aviation, which provides expert ground handling services. The airport offers 24/7 ground handling, on-site customs, air traffic control, and airport operations staff. Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting is provided by the Air National Guard. The airport has a variety of facilities, including conference rooms, a crew lounge, snooze rooms, showers, and courtesy transportation.

Commercial service availability

Columbus, Ohio, is served by four airports that create exceptional travel experiences for passengers. Two of these airports, John Glenn Columbus International Airport (formerly Port Columbus International Airport) and Rickenbacker International Airport, offer commercial services. The other two, Bolton Field and The Ohio State University Airport, are general aviation airports that act as reliever airports for corporate and personal aircraft.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus, Ohio. The airport is named after astronaut and four-term US senator John Glenn, who passed a bill to change the airport's name from Port Columbus International Airport in May 2016. The airport's code, "CMH", stands for "Columbus Municipal Hangar", the airport's original name.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport is the largest passenger terminal in central Ohio and the second busiest in the state, after Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The airport offers 148 non-stop flights to 31 airports via nine airlines daily. It has three concourses and a total of 29 usable gates. The airport has its own police and fire departments.

In 2013, the airport completed a $140 million runway improvement project that moved the south runway further from the north runway. This allowed for simultaneous take-offs and landings, increasing air traffic volume. After this improvement, the airport was named the Most Improved Airport in North America by the Airports Council International.

The airport offers a range of dining and shopping options, including American classics like Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Burger King, and Chili's Too. Complimentary WiFi is available through a consumer-dedicated guest network with speeds averaging 12 megabits per second.

Transport to and from the airport

Columbus, Ohio has an international airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport (formerly known as Port Columbus International Airport). It is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus.

The airport is accessible by car via Interstate 670, or from the east via Hamilton Road, just south of Interstate 270, where you can enter at Sawyer Road. Alternatively, you can approach from the west via Stelzer Road. The airport has a six-story parking garage for short- and long-term parking. There are also lower-cost satellite parking options in the Blue, Red, and Green parking lots, with a free shuttle service to the airport.

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) provides a bus service between the airport and downtown Columbus. The 7 Mt. Vernon bus route runs from downtown, with every other bus serving the airport. The GoBus Rural Inter-City Bus Service also operates a thrice-daily schedule to Athens, via Lancaster, Logan, and Nelsonville.

Taxis are available at the ground transportation level of the airport. There are also ridesharing options, such as Uber and Lyft. These can be reserved in advance and are available at the arrivals level.

There are also various shuttle services available, such as Prime Time Shuttle and SuperShuttle, which offer shared rides, private cars, and luxury vehicles.

Airport history

John Glenn Columbus International Airport, formerly known as Port Columbus International Airport, is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus, Ohio. The airport is named after John Glenn, an astronaut and four-term U.S. senator. The airport's history dates back to July 8, 1929, when it first opened as the Columbus Municipal Hangar. The site was selected by Charles Lindbergh as the eastern terminus of the Transcontinental Air Transport air-rail route from New York to Los Angeles. During World War II, the U.S. Navy took over most of the facility, establishing the Naval Air Station Columbus in 1942. After the war, in 1946, the facility was returned to civilian control.

Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate increasing air traffic. In 1958, a new $12 million terminal building was opened, and jet airline flights commenced in 1964. In the late 1970s, a $70 million renovation project was initiated to upgrade the airport's capacity to 250 flights per day, with the addition of Concourse B. Further expansions in the 1990s included the construction of Concourse C and improvements to parking and ground transportation facilities.

In 2012, the airport embarked on a Terminal Modernization Program, which included enhancements to flooring, ceilings, restrooms, and security lanes. In 2013, a significant runway improvement project was completed, allowing for simultaneous takeoffs and landings, thereby increasing air traffic volume. More recently, in 2019, construction began on a new car rental facility, which opened in late 2021, providing additional parking spaces for travellers.

The airport has continued to expand its routes and services, attracting new airlines and destinations. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport has seen a recovery in air travel demand and is preparing for continued growth with plans for a new terminal building. John Glenn Columbus International Airport currently offers non-stop flights to 31 airports via nine airlines, serving a growing number of passengers each year.

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