Airports In Columbus, Ohio: How Many Are There?

Columbus, Ohio, is served by three airports: John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK), and Bolton Field Airport (TZR). John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Rickenbacker International Airport are both commercial airports, while Bolton Field Airport is dedicated to general aviation activities. Columbus previously had another airport, Columbus Southwest Airport, which is now closed.

Airports in Columbus, Ohio

John Glenn Columbus International Airport

Columbus, Ohio, is served by three airports: John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Rickenbacker International Airport, and Bolton Field Airport. John Glenn Columbus International Airport, formerly known as Port Columbus International Airport, is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus. It is primarily a passenger airport, providing 148 non-stop flights daily to 31 airports via nine airlines. The airport is named after astronaut and four-term U.S. senator John Glenn, following a unanimous vote by the airport's nine-member board in 2016.

The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of concourses, improved ground transportation, and enhanced security measures. The airport has three concourses, each with its own TSA security checkpoint, and a total of 29 usable gates. Concourse A is primarily used by Southwest Airlines, while Concourse B is utilised by American Airlines, Air Canada, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines. Concourse C caters to Alaska Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and Viva.

The airport is easily accessible by road, with direct access from Interstate 670 and alternative routes from the east and west. It also offers a range of parking options, including a six-story parking garage and lower-cost satellite parking lots. Additionally, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) provides a bus service between the airport and downtown Columbus.

Rickenbacker International Airport

Columbus, Ohio is served by three airports: John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Rickenbacker International Airport, and Bolton Field Airport.

The airport has a diverse range of users, including major air freight companies, logistics providers, and the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing. In addition, it is home to the Ohio Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 and the headquarters for the Ohio Military Reserve, one of the state defense forces of Ohio.

The airport has continued to evolve and expand its operations over the years. In 2001, construction began on a consolidated Navy and Marine Corps Air Reserve Center, reflecting the airport's diverse military usage. Additionally, the airport has attracted cargo airlines such as Cathay Pacific Cargo and Emirates SkyCargo, contributing to its growth.

The airport offers a range of services and facilities for pilots and passengers alike. These include ground handling, on-site customs, air traffic control, aircraft rescue, and general aviation services. The fixed-base operator provides fuel, conference rooms, a crew lounge, snooze rooms, showers, and courtesy transportation.

Bolton Field Airport

Columbus, Ohio, is served by three airports: John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Rickenbacker International Airport, and Bolton Field Airport. Bolton Field Airport (ICAO: KTZR, FAA LID: TZR) is a public airport in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to corporate and recreational aviation activities, serving the needs of area businesses, private pilots, and aviation enthusiasts.

The airport is named after long-time Port Columbus International Airport Superintendent Francis A. "Jack" Bolton and opened on October 24, 1970. It covers 1,500 acres (607 ha) and has one asphalt runway (4/22), which measures 5,500 ft × 100 ft (1,676 m × 30 m). Bolton Field is one of 12 general aviation reliever airports in Ohio recognised in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) and serves as a reliever airport for John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

Bolton Field is located 8 miles southwest of Columbus, Ohio, and is operated by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. The airport offers various services, including fueling, parking, transient hangar space, flight instruction, fixed-base operations, and air charter services. It also provides amenities such as a conference room, a crew lounge, snooze rooms, and a courtesy car.

For the 12-month period ending June 7, 2022, Bolton Field Airport recorded 26,932 aircraft operations, averaging 74 per day. The airport is home to regular events hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles Program. Several organisations, including Scioto Valley 99s and Central Ohio Balloon Club, are based on the grounds. Additionally, there is a barbecue restaurant on-site, offering dinner and airplane rides on Valentine's Day.

Rickenbacker Port Authority

Columbus, Ohio, is served by three airports: John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK), and Bolton Field Airport (TZR). The Rickenbacker Port Authority was formed in 1979 to redevelop land that was released by the military following the closure of the Rickenbacker Air Force Base. In 1990, the Rickenbacker Port Authority took over airport operations.

The Rickenbacker International Airport is a civil-military public airport located 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Columbus, near Lockbourne in southern Franklin County, Ohio. The airport extends into Pickaway County and is named after Eddie Rickenbacker, a flying ace and Columbus native. It is primarily a cargo airport, although it has been serving an increasing number of passenger flights and charter carriers since 2012. The airport is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also operates John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Bolton Field Airport.

Rickenbacker International Airport covers 4,342 acres (1,757 ha) and has two runways and one helipad. In the year ending December 31, 2022, the airport had 24,168 aircraft operations, averaging 66 per day. The airport is equipped with a fixed-base operator that offers fuel and services such as conference rooms, a crew lounge, snooze rooms, showers, and courtesy transportation.

The facility opened in June 1942 as Lockbourne Army Airfield, named after the nearby village of Lockbourne. It provided basic pilot training and military support and also trained the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) to fly B-17 bombers. After World War II, the airfield switched to developing and testing all-weather military flight operations. During the Cold War, the facility was renamed Lockbourne Air Force Base and was assigned to the USAF Strategic Air Command. In 1974, it was redesignated Rickenbacker Air Force Base to honour Eddie Rickenbacker, the leading American fighter pilot of World War I.

In 1980, the base was transferred from the Strategic Air Command to the Air National Guard and redesignated Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. The military facilities were renamed Rickenbacker Air National Guard Station in 1994. In 2001, construction began on a consolidated Navy and Marine Corps Air Reserve Center at the airport, with nearly 1,000 reservists shifting their activities to the new facility.

In 2003, the Rickenbacker Port Authority merged with Port Columbus and Bolton Field to create the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which now manages the strategic operations and development of all three airports in Columbus, Ohio.

Columbus Regional Airport Authority

Columbus, Ohio, is served by three airports: John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK), and Bolton Field Airport (TZR). The first two are managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA), while Bolton Field Airport is dedicated to general aviation activities.

The Columbus Regional Airport Authority connects Ohio with the world by managing and operating John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Rickenbacker International Airport, and Bolton Field Airport. The CRAA ended 2023 with one of the best years in Columbus history for passenger air service, with 8.7 million passengers travelling through John Glenn Columbus International Airport and the Rickenbacker Passenger Terminal. The former is primarily dedicated to commercial passenger service, while the latter serves as a premier air cargo gateway.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport is located within minutes of downtown Columbus. In addition to commercial passenger service, several general aviation providers offer a full spectrum of services. In 2023, the airport saw a 23% increase in available charging outlets with the deployment of new power units. The airport also saw renovations to six retail locations and the expansion of five food and beverage outlets.

Rickenbacker International Airport supports the world's largest aircraft. Its exclusive ground handler, Rickenbacker Aviation, is accustomed to servicing corporate and leisure travel, and general aviation services are customizable. The airport has a healthy diversification of shipments, ranging from fashion to electronics, automotive and medical supplies. In 2023, the CRAA facilitated 1.39 million square feet of new warehouse development in the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park. The airport's USDA-certified live animal Export Inspection Facility had its busiest year to date in 2023, exporting over 7,800 live animals.

Frequently asked questions