Roberta Aguirre
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is the main commercial airport for Columbia and the Midlands region of South Carolina, USA. The airport is located in West Columbia, five miles (8 km) outside of downtown Columbia, and is surrounded by the city of Cayce and the towns of Springdale, Pine Ridge, and South Congaree. CAE is the airport's IATA code.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Columbia Metropolitan Airport |
| IATA Code | CAE |
| ICAO Code | KCAE |
| FAA LID | CAE |
| Location | West Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina, United States |
| Distance from Downtown Columbia | 8 miles |
| Cargo Airlines | UPS Airlines |
| Passenger Airlines | Delta Air Lines, Eastern Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, Southern Airways, American Airlines, United Airlines, Freedom Airlines, Northwest Airlines, American Eagle, US Airways Express, PeopleExpress, Continental Airlines, United Express |
| Year of Construction | 1940 |
| Year of Conversion to Military Airfield | 1941 |
| Year Passenger Service Began | 1962 |
| Year of Terminal Expansion | 2024 |
| Number of Passengers (2024) | 1,362,374 |
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What You'll Learn
CAE is the main commercial airport for Columbia, South Carolina
The acronym CAE stands for Columbia Metropolitan Airport, which is the main commercial airport for Columbia, South Carolina. It is located in West Columbia, five miles (8.0 km) southwest of the city, in Lexington County. The airport is surrounded by the city of Cayce and the towns of Springdale, Pine Ridge, and South Congaree.
CAE was built in 1940 as Lexington County Airport, and it was originally used by the United States Army Air Corps as part of the buildup of its forces after the start of World War II in Europe. The earliest recorded Air Corps use of the airport was when the 105th Observation Squadron began flying Douglas O-38 and North American O-47 light observation aircraft on September 24, 1940. The airport came under formal military control in 1941, and a program began to turn the civil airport into a military airfield.
In 1945, training at the Columbia Army Air Base was phased down, and the base was returned to civil authorities, who converted it back into an airport. In 1947, most frontline passenger service relocated to Lexington County Airport, and it was renamed Columbia Metropolitan Airport. A new terminal was built at the airport in the early 1950s.
Passenger service at CAE began with Delta Air Lines, which has served Columbia for over 70 years. Delta DC-9 jet flights began on March 7, 1966, with Flight 521 from Charleston continuing to Atlanta. Eastern Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, and Southern Airways also operated flights to and from CAE in the 1960s.
Today, CAE offers more than 25 daily non-stop flights to and from 9 major airports in 8 cities. The airport's partner airlines include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. Nonstop flights are available from Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. (Reagan and Dulles), Atlanta, New York (LaGuardia), Chicago, and Miami. CAE also serves as a regional cargo hub for UPS Airlines.
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It is also known as Columbia Metropolitan Airport
The airport code CAE stands for Columbia Metropolitan Airport, which is located in West Columbia, South Carolina, in the United States. The airport is situated 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Columbia, in Lexington County, and is surrounded by the towns of Cayce, Springdale, Pine Ridge, and South Congaree.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (IATA: CAE, ICAO: KCAE, FAA LID: CAE) is the primary commercial airport serving Columbia and the Midlands region of South Carolina. It is a significant transportation hub, accommodating approximately 1 million passengers annually, with a record-breaking 1,362,374 passengers passing through in 2024. The airport also serves as a regional cargo hub for UPS Airlines, with a dedicated air cargo terminal called CAE Park.
The history of Columbia Metropolitan Airport dates back to World War II. Before the war, Owens Field served as Columbia's main civil airport. However, its proximity to downtown limited expansion possibilities, prompting a shift to the Lexington County Airport in 1947, which was subsequently renamed Columbia Metropolitan Airport. The airport was formally under military control from 1941 until November 30, 1945, when it was returned to civil authorities for conversion back to an airport.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport has undergone significant development over the years, including a new terminal built in the 1950s and a $45 million terminal expansion and renovation project completed recently. The airport is currently undergoing a multi-million-dollar checkpoint expansion project, aiming to enhance accessibility and improve the overall travel experience for passengers.
Several airlines have provided passenger services at Columbia Metropolitan Airport over the years, including Delta Air Lines, Eastern Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, Southern Airways, American Airlines, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and US Airways Express, among others. The airport continues to expand and enhance its facilities, ensuring a seamless travel experience for its growing number of passengers.
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The airport was built in 1940 as Lexington County Airport
The Columbia Metropolitan Airport, also known by the IATA, ICAO, and FAA LID codes CAE, is the primary commercial airport serving Columbia and the Midlands region of South Carolina, USA. The airport is situated in West Columbia, five miles (or eight kilometres) southwest of the city, in Lexington County. It is surrounded by the city of Cayce and the towns of Springdale, Pine Ridge, and South Congaree.
The airport was constructed in 1940 as Lexington County Airport. This was due to the United States Army Air Corps' need for an airfield as part of the buildup of its forces after World War II broke out in Europe. The earliest recorded use of the airport by the Air Corps was when the 105th Observation Squadron began flying Douglas O-38 and North American O-47 light observation aircraft on September 24, 1940.
In 1941, the airport was placed under formal military control, and work began to convert the civil airport into a military airfield. During World War II, the Columbia Army Air Base served as a training facility for the Army Air Forces. However, as the war drew to a close in the summer of 1945, training at the base was phased down, and it was eventually inactivated and returned to civil authorities in November of that year.
In 1947, most frontline passenger service relocated from Owens Field, Columbia's previous main civil airport, to the Lexington County Airport due to expansion limitations at Owens Field. A new terminal was constructed at the airport in the early 1950s, and in 1962, the Richland-Lexington Airport District was established to operate the airport. That same year, Delta Air Lines began passenger service to the airport, offering flights to Charleston, Asheville, Jacksonville, Augusta, Savannah, and New York–La Guardia.
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It is located 8 miles outside of downtown Columbia
The CAE airport stands for Columbia Metropolitan Airport, which is located 8 miles outside of downtown Columbia, in Lexington County, South Carolina. It is the main commercial airport for Columbia and the Midlands region of South Carolina, United States. The airport is surrounded by the city of Cayce and the towns of Springdale, Pine Ridge, and South Congaree.
The history of the airport dates back to the early 20th century. Before World War II, Columbia's main civil airport was Owens Field. However, due to its proximity to downtown, expansion was not feasible. As a result, in 1940, the United States Army Air Corps recognised the need for an airfield as part of their force buildup after the onset of World War II in Europe. This led to the establishment of the Lexington County Airport, which would later become the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
In 1947, recognising the limitations of Owens Field, most frontline passenger services were relocated to the Lexington County Airport. This marked the beginning of the airport's transformation into a hub for civil aviation. The city of Columbia constructed a new terminal at the airport in the early 1950s, further solidifying its role as a key transportation centre for the region.
The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. In 1996, UPS Airlines opened a regional hub at the airport, offering next-day, second-day, and third-day air service. More recently, the airport completed a $45 million terminal expansion and renovation project, reflecting its commitment to accessible travel and enhancing the overall travel experience for its passengers.
Today, the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) offers a range of amenities, including natural light and relaxing rocking chairs, creating a pleasant and comfortable environment for travellers. The airport is easily accessible via various transportation options, including ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft, making it a convenient gateway to the city of Columbia and the surrounding region.
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CAE recently completed a $45 million terminal expansion and renovation
CAE, also known as Columbia Metropolitan Airport, is the main commercial airport for Columbia and the Midlands region of South Carolina, USA. It is located in West Columbia, five miles southwest of Columbia, in Lexington County. The airport was built in 1940 as Lexington County Airport and was renamed Columbia Metropolitan Airport in 1947.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) recently completed a $45 million terminal expansion and renovation. The airport has been undergoing a multi-phase expansion project, with the second phase involving the implementation of a common-use and checked baggage inspection system in the main lobby and entrance. This system allows for a seamless transaction process for both airlines and passengers, regardless of the airline they are travelling with.
The next phase of the expansion project will involve construction inside the terminal, with temporary walls being installed near the security screening and exit lanes. This will reroute departing and arriving passengers, with directional signage used to ease the flow of traffic and minimise inconvenience.
Upon completion, the checkpoint will increase security screening lanes from two to four lanes, providing a more efficient experience for the increasing number of passengers projected to use the airport in the coming years. The expansion project also includes a commitment to accessible travel, with the launch of an inclusive online experience for passengers to access content and airport information barrier-free through the CAE website.
Annually, the airport serves about 1 million passengers, though this number was higher before the Great Recession. CAE saw a record number of passengers in 2024, with 1,362,374 passengers travelling through the airport, surpassing the previous record of 1,353,788 set in 2019.
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Frequently asked questions
CAE is the IATA code for Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
The CAE airport is located in West Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina, United States.
The airport was built in 1940 as Lexington County Airport. In 1947, most frontline passenger service relocated to the airport, which was renamed Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
