Exploring The Vastness Of Columbia, Sc Airport

The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in South Carolina is a far cry from its early days as a landing area in the 1940s. With a record-breaking 1,362,374 passengers in 2024, CAE is expanding with a multi-million-dollar checkpoint expansion project. The airport has come a long way since its days as the Lexington County Airport, which was turned into a military field during World War II. In the 1950s, the city of Columbia formed a group to manage and support the airport, which later became the official Richland-Lexington Airport District Commission. CAE has since grown to offer nonstop flights to various destinations and is praised as one of the best airports in the country.

Passenger numbers

The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in West Columbia, South Carolina, has seen substantial growth in passenger numbers over the years, with records being broken and new milestones being reached.

In 2022, the airport welcomed over 1 million passengers, marking a significant recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic-induced dip in 2020, when passenger numbers dropped to 577,187. The airport saw a notable spike in summer 2022, with June, July, and August collectively attracting nearly 300,000 passengers. This trend continued into 2023, with January through June seeing a total of 646,013 passengers, and May alone registering an increase of nearly 19,000 passengers compared to the previous year.

The airport's efforts to enhance accessibility and convenience for travellers have likely contributed to its growing popularity. CAE has been committed to expanding its services and improving the terminal experience. This includes additional flight services to destinations like New York City, Chicago, and Charlotte, as well as infrastructure and terminal updates.

In 2024, the airport continued to thrive, recording 1,362,374 passengers as of March, surpassing its previous record set in 2019. This growth prompted plans for further expansion, with a multi-million-dollar checkpoint expansion project underway. Additionally, the airport is committed to accessible travel, introducing an inclusive online experience for passengers to access information easily through their website.

While Columbia Metropolitan Airport has experienced impressive growth, it is not the only South Carolina airport attracting more travellers. Charleston International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in the state, reported record-breaking passenger numbers in 2024, with 6,295,439 travellers. Other airports, such as Myrtle Beach International Airport and Greenville-Spartanburg Airport, have also seen significant increases in passenger traffic, contributing to the overall growth of aviation in South Carolina.

History

The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in South Carolina has come a long way since its early days as a landing area in the 1940s. Known then as the Lexington County Airport, it was located in Lexington County and served as a civil airport until it came under formal military control in 1941. With the onset of World War II, the United States Army Air Corps expressed a need for the airfield to bolster its forces, and thus, the Lexington County Airport became the Columbia Army Air Base.

The Columbia Army Air Base played a significant role in World War II, with the 17th Bombardment Group, consisting of 24 B-25 bomber crews, embarking on a daring and secretive mission known as the Doolittle Raid on Japan in 1942. This group of brave men became known as the Doolittle Raiders, leaving their mark on history. After the war, in 1945, the airfield reverted to its civil airport status and resumed its original name, the Lexington County Airport.

However, a fire in 1947 destroyed the wooden terminal building, leading to the construction of a new terminal. The city of Columbia stepped up and built a new terminal, which unfortunately also burned down in the early 1950s. Undeterred, the city rebuilt it once more. During this time, Delta Air Lines and Eastern Air Lines made the move to Lexington County Airport, recognising the need for a larger facility to accommodate their operations.

In 1962, the Richland-Lexington Airport District was established to manage the airport, with a governing commission consisting of nominations from Lexington County, Richland County, and the Columbia city council. The airport continued to grow and evolve, with various airlines offering their services over the years, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and more. CAE, as it is commonly known, has also embarked on expansion projects to enhance the airport's functionality and capacity, such as the CAE Enterprise Park announced in 1985.

Today, Columbia Metropolitan Airport is a bustling hub, with over 1.1 million passengers passing through each year. It has appeared in films such as the opening scene of "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" in 2006, and it continues to serve the region with pride.

Layout and design

The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in South Carolina has come a long way since its early days as a landing area in the 1940s. During World War II, the civil airport was transformed into a military airfield, known as the Columbia Army Air Base, playing a significant role in the buildup of US forces. Today, CAE is a full-service facility, providing clearance for international cargo shipments and private, commercial, and charter aircraft entering Columbia from overseas.

The layout and design of CAE have evolved over the years, reflecting its changing purposes. In the early 2000s, the airport's logo featured an abstract, airplane-like graphic, which was later replaced by a design inspired by the newly constructed parking garage. This logo served the airport well for nearly two decades, appearing on news releases, the website, external communications, and social media.

The physical layout of CAE has also undergone significant changes. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, a "test commission" task force managed several projects, including the rebuilding of the Lexington County Airport terminal, which had burned down in 1947. This group ensured that the airport served both Richland and Lexington counties and celebrated its success in attracting just over 99,000 air passengers between 1951 and 1954.

Today, CAE continues to expand and improve its facilities. It recently launched an inclusive online experience, providing passengers with barrier-free access to content and airport information through its website. Additionally, CAE is in the midst of a multi-million-dollar checkpoint expansion project, with construction moving inside the terminal. While CAE is described as a small airport, it is easy to navigate, with one entrance leading to all the main gates.

Airlines and destinations

Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) serves the city of Columbia, South Carolina. The airport is a hub of activity, with a steady stream of passengers travelling through each year. In 2024, the airport is on track to surpass its previous record of 1,353,788 passengers set in 2019, with 646,013 passengers travelling through the airport in just the first six months of 2024.

American Airlines is a prominent carrier at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, offering flights to various destinations across the United States. Seasonal nonstop services to Miami International Airport (MIA) are available, providing convenient travel options for those seeking a tropical getaway or business trip to the vibrant city of Miami. American Airlines also connects Columbia to other major hubs, including New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Indianapolis International Airport (IND), and Harry Reid International Airport. The airline offers a seamless travel experience with competitive pricing, as evidenced by their $246 fare for a round trip between Columbia and JFK in May 2023.

Delta Air Lines is another key player at CAE, providing travellers with connections to destinations like Miami International Airport (MIA). A round trip with Delta from Columbia to Miami in September 2023 was priced at $286, showcasing the affordable options available to passengers.

United Airlines also operates from Columbia Metropolitan Airport, with flights to destinations such as Indianapolis International Airport (IND) and Liberty International Airport. Their pricing is competitive, with a round trip to Indianapolis in August 2023 costing $198.

The airport serves as a gateway to a range of destinations, catering to both leisure and business travellers. With a mix of full-service and low-cost carriers, CAE offers convenient and affordable travel options for passengers.

Services and facilities

Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is one of South Carolina's largest air facilities, located 11km (7 miles) southwest of central Columbia. The airport has a tall air traffic control tower that stands at 105 feet (32m). More than 1.1 million passengers travel through the airport each year, with a record-breaking 1,362,374 passengers passing through in 2024.

The airport provides a range of services and facilities for passengers, including:

• A business centre located in the main lobby of the terminal, which includes a small conference area, computer workstations, fax and photocopy machines, a lounge, and a kitchen area. The business centre is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays.
• Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal.
• Two ATMs are located in the terminal—one in the main lobby before the TSA security check and the other airside near the gift shop.
• A small business centre in the baggage claim area.
• A chapel and a games room located on the upper level of the terminal building.
• A variety of shops, including gift shops and news stands. Duty-free shopping is not available as only domestic routes are served.
• Skycap porters are available to assist with luggage.
• Ramps, lifts, and disabled parking spaces are provided for travellers with limited mobility. Some signage is in Braille.
• Bus, shuttle, and taxi services are available for transport to and from the airport.
• A dedicated air cargo terminal, the Columbia Airport Enterprise Park (CAE Park), handles commercial cargo services.
• A post office (Air Mail Facility).

Frequently asked questions