What Cub Means For Airports And Why It Matters

The IATA and ICAO airport code CUB refers to the Jim Hamilton–L.B. Owens Airport, which serves Columbia, South Carolina, in the United States. The airport, located in the Rosewood area, opened in 1930 and is known as the crown jewel of Richland County.

Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport

The Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport, locally known as Owens Field, is a county-owned public-use airport in Richland County, South Carolina, United States. It is located two nautical miles (3.7 km) south of the central business district of Columbia. The airport covers an area of 182 acres (74 ha) at an elevation of 194 feet (59 m) above sea level. It has one runway designated 13/31 with an asphalt surface measuring 5,011 by 75 feet (1,527 x 23 m).

The airport was renamed in 2008 to honour former airport manager Jim Hamilton. Before this, it was known as the Columbia Owens Downtown Airport, and prior to World War II, it was the main municipal airport serving Columbia, South Carolina, under the name Columbia Municipal Airport. During the war, it was used by the Army Air Forces Third Air Force as a training field for reconnaissance and observation pilots, while also serving as a commercial and military airport. It was the commercial airport for Columbia until airline service was relocated to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport in 1947.

The Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport is conveniently located in the Rosewood area, with quick access to several Columbia destinations, including the State Capital, the University of South Carolina, and the Colonial Life Arena. The airport's state-of-the-art terminal opened in September 2005 and features 8,200 square feet of floor space, including conference rooms, offices, a pilot's lounge, a flight planning room, and a snooze room. For the 12-month period ending March 30, 2021, the airport recorded 25,000 aircraft operations, averaging 68 per day.

IATA and ICAO codes

IATA Codes

IATA codes are three-letter airport codes that are widely recognised and used for airline travel. They are issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are used for flight schedules, bookings, ticketing, boarding passes, flight status, and baggage tags. IATA codes are considered easier and more intuitive for passengers and shippers. They are also assigned to non-airport locations connected to air travel, such as train and bus stations, and to cities and metropolitan areas.

ICAO Codes

ICAO codes are four-letter codes assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). They are used globally in flight operations and air traffic control. ICAO codes are considered concise and unambiguous for pilots and ATC. The first one or two letters of an ICAO code are allocated to a specific country, and the remaining two or three letters are assigned by each country to airports within its boundaries. ICAO codes are also used to identify other aviation facilities, such as air traffic control facilities, weather stations, and area control centres.

LID Codes

LID is an abbreviation for "local identifier," meaning local to the country in which they are assigned. LID codes are similar to ICAO codes in that they are used to uniquely identify airports for operational reasons by air traffic control. However, not all countries assign LID codes, and they are only used for domestic flight operations. In the United States, many airports have the same IATA and LID codes, which can lead to confusion between the two.

CUB

CUB is the IATA and ICAO code for the Jim Hamilton–L.B. Owens Airport, serving Columbia, South Carolina, United States.

Cuba airport codes

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country in the Caribbean. It has 52 airports with IATA and ICAO codes. The airport codes in Cuba are denoted by CUB. Here is a list of some of the airports in Cuba, along with their codes:

Havana

Playa Baracoa Airport: UPB/MUPB

San Nicolas de Bari, Mayabeque

San Nicolas de Bari Airport: QSN/MUNB

Mariel

Mariel Airport: MUML (abolished)

Varadero

Kawama Airport: MUKW

Pinar del Rio

• Pinar del Rio Airport: QDP/MUPR
• La Coloma Airport: LCL/MULM

Trinidad

Alberto Delgado Airport: TND/MUTD

Sancti Siritus

Sancti Spiritus Airport: USS/MUSS

Cienfuegos

Jaime Gonzales Airport: CFG/MUCF

Santiago de Cuba

Antonio Macoa Airport: SCU/MUCU

Manzanillo de Cuba

Sierra Maestra Airport: MZO/MUMZ

These airport codes are essential for aviation navigation, flight planning, and air traffic control. They help identify specific airports, especially when multiple airports share the same name or are located in close proximity.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport

The term "cub" can refer to the young of certain large predatory animals, such as big cats and bears. In the context of airports, "CUB" is the IATA and ICAO airport code for Cuba, which has 52 airports in total.

Now, for some detailed information on the Columbia Metropolitan Airport:

The airport has seen significant passenger traffic, with 1,362,374 passengers passing through in 2024, surpassing a previous record set in 2019. During the first half of 2024, the airport saw 646,013 passengers. The airport also maintains an air cargo terminal, the Columbia Airport Enterprise Park (CAE Park), and has two fixed-base operators serving various charter flights.

Richland County Airport Commission

The Richland County Airport Commission is responsible for overseeing the operations and development of the airports within Richland County. The commission is dedicated to ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable air travel for its citizens and visitors.

One of the critical aspects of the commission's work is to maintain and enhance the county's airports' infrastructure. This includes regular inspections and upgrades to runways, taxiways, and terminal buildings. By doing so, they aim to provide a safe and modern aviation environment for pilots, passengers, and staff.

The commission also plays a pivotal role in promoting economic development in the county. They actively seek to attract new airlines and businesses to the airports, fostering increased connectivity and creating job opportunities for the local community. Additionally, they work closely with local businesses and tourism boards to market the county as an attractive destination for travellers.

Community engagement is another key focus for the Richland County Airport Commission. They strive to be good neighbours to the communities surrounding the airports by actively involving residents in decision-making processes and implementing noise abatement procedures to minimise the impact of aircraft noise. The commission also prioritises environmental sustainability by adopting eco-friendly practices and promoting green initiatives.

Furthermore, the commission places a strong emphasis on safety and security. They work in close collaboration with local law enforcement and federal agencies to ensure the highest standards of protection for passengers and staff. This includes regular emergency response drills and the implementation of advanced security technologies.

By diligently carrying out these responsibilities, the Richland County Airport Commission contributes significantly to the smooth functioning and growth of the county's aviation industry, ultimately benefiting the local community and economy.

Frequently asked questions