Sachin Walls
John Glenn Columbus International Airport, formerly known as Port Columbus International Airport, is located six miles east of downtown Columbus, Ohio. The airport code CMH stands for Columbus Municipal Hangar, the airport's original name. The airport is owned and operated by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority and is the largest passenger terminal in central Ohio.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
CMH Airport's original name
The airport code "CMH" stands for "Columbus Municipal Hangar", the original name of the airport. The airport is now known as John Glenn Columbus International Airport, formerly known as Port Columbus International Airport. The Ohio General Assembly passed a bill in May 2016 to rename the airport in honour of astronaut and four-term U.S. Senator John Glenn.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gives each commercial airport a three-letter designation. Some of these are very obvious, like MSP for Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport, and PIT for Pittsburgh International Airport. Some refer to historical names, like Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, which has the code ORD, after the nearby town of Orchard Place, IL, where aircraft manufacturer Douglas Company opened a plant during World War II.
Port Columbus opened in 1929, and by 1940, the Curtiss-Wright Corporation had leased 83 acres of airport property on behalf of the government. The airport produced planes that made the first attack on Rabaul during World War II. During the war, the U.S. Navy took over most of the facility, establishing Naval Air Station Columbus in 1942. In 1946, the Navy left, and the facility was handed back to civilian authorities.
In 1952, larger airplanes were able to land at Port Columbus after the east-west runway was extended from 4,500 to 8,000 feet. In 1958, a new terminal building opened, and jet airline flights began in 1964. By 1953, it was clear that the airport needed to be better positioned for future growth, so operations were moved from the Fifth Avenue terminal to a more central location on the airport property.
Orlando International Airport: MCO Abbreviation Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CMH's ownership and management
The John Glenn Columbus International Airport, formerly known as Port Columbus International Airport, is owned and operated by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA). The airport is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus, Ohio. It is the largest passenger terminal in central Ohio and the second busiest in the state after Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
The CRAA also manages the operations of two other airports in the region: Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field. The Authority is committed to partnering with local businesses, including small and minority-owned firms, to foster economic growth. Additionally, the CRAA prioritizes safety and security, requiring all employees and individuals accessing secure areas to possess airport-issued access badges.
The John Glenn Columbus International Airport has a rich history, dating back to World War II when most of the facility was taken over by the U.S. Navy, which established Naval Air Station Columbus in 1942. After the war, in 1946, the facility was returned to civilian authorities. During the war, the government also established a government-owned aviation factory on the airport grounds, known as Air Force Factory 85, which was eventually operated by North American Aviation.
The airport has undergone several name changes throughout its history. It was originally named Columbus Municipal Hangar, which is what the airport code "CMH" stands for. On May 25, 2016, the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill to rename the airport from Port Columbus International Airport to John Glenn Columbus International Airport, honouring astronaut and four-term U.S. Senator John Glenn. The name change was unanimously approved by the airport's nine-member board on May 24, 2016.
Airports and Warrants: Can You Be Arrested While Traveling?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CMH's history
The John Glenn Columbus International Airport (IATA: CMH, ICAO: KCMH, FAA LID: CMH) is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus, Ohio. The airport's code "CMH" stands for "Columbus Municipal Hangar", the original name of the airport.
During World War II, the US Navy took over most of the facility and established the Naval Air Station Columbus in 1942. NAS Columbus was closed and the facility was returned to civilian authorities in 1946. During the war, the government also established a government-owned aviation factory on the airport grounds known as Air Force Factory 85, which was eventually operated by North American Aviation. The plant produced several aircraft, including the F-100 Super Sabre, RA-5 Vigilante, and T-28 Trojan.
In 1952, larger airplanes were able to land at Port Columbus after the east-west runway was extended from 4,500 to 8,000 feet. By 1953, it was recognised that the airport needed to be better positioned for future growth, and operations were moved to a more central location on the airport property. A new 10-story control tower was constructed in the middle of the property, which operated for 50 years until a new tower was built in 2004. On September 21, 1958, a new terminal building opened, and by 1964, jet airline flights had commenced.
In 1997, the airport's capacity for aircraft operations increased following the completion of a $20 million north runway extension to 8,000 feet. In 2000, a new six-level parking garage, an atrium, and rental car operations were constructed to accommodate growing passenger numbers. In 2013, CMH completed a $140 million runway improvement project, allowing for simultaneous takeoffs and landings and increasing air traffic volume. In 2016, the airport was renamed from Port Columbus International Airport to its current name, honouring astronaut and four-term US Senator John Glenn. The following year, after an $80 million terminal renovation, the airport was named the Most Improved Airport in North America by the Airports Council.
The airport currently offers 148 non-stop flights daily to 31 airports via nine airlines, serving over eight million passengers annually. A new terminal is planned to open in early 2029, featuring a centralised passenger security checkpoint and environmentally sustainable design elements.
Changi Airport: Lockers for a Seamless Travel Experience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CMH's passenger capacity
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (IATA: CMH, ICAO: KCMH, FAA LID: CMH) is an international airport located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus, Ohio. The airport is the largest passenger terminal in central Ohio, and the second busiest in the state after Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
In 2019, over 8 million passengers travelled through CMH. For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2021, the airport had 98,185 aircraft movements, an average of 269 per day. This was made up of 65% commercial, 19% general aviation, 16% air taxi, and less than 1% military.
CMH offers 148 non-stop flights to 31 airports via nine airlines daily. The airport has three different concourses to cater to their 12 different airline carriers. In 2013, CMH completed an $80 million terminal renovation, which expanded the airport's capacity to 250 flights per day.
The Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) is set to embark on a significant development project at the airport, involving the construction of a new passenger terminal and adjacent parking garage, with an estimated investment of $2 billion. The new terminal will encompass an area of one million square feet and will feature a centralised passenger security checkpoint. The new terminal is expected to become operational in early 2029 and will bolster the airport's capability to accommodate more than 13 million passengers a year, a 51% increase in daily passenger capacity.
North Bay's Airport: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CMH's facilities
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is located six miles east of downtown Columbus, Ohio. The airport is owned and operated by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) and is the largest passenger terminal in central Ohio. CMH offers 148 non-stop flights daily to 31 airports via nine airlines.
CMH has a range of facilities for passengers, including dining and shopping options. American classics like Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Burger King, and Chili's Too are available for travellers looking for a quick bite before their flight. The airport also provides complimentary WiFi through a consumer-dedicated guest network with speeds averaging 12 megabits per second. For nursing mothers, there are four nursing rooms located near the Southwest baggage carousel, A2, B29, and C51.
CMH is also pet-friendly, with pet relief areas available outside the terminal. The airport has three concourses to cater to 12 different airline carriers, and a new $2 billion terminal is expected to open in early 2029. The new terminal will have 36 gates, including two for international passengers, and a parking garage with more than 5,000 spaces.
In addition to the new terminal, CMH has undergone several improvements over the years. In 2013, the airport completed a $140 million runway improvement project, increasing air traffic volume. A $20 million north runway extension in 1997 and a new Air Traffic Control Tower in 2004 further enhanced the airport's capacity for aircraft operations. CMH was also named the Most Improved Airport in North America by the Airports Council in 2017 after an $80 million terminal renovation.
Dallas Airport Delays: What to Expect When Traveling
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
CMH stands for Columbus Municipal Hangar, the airport's original name.
The airport's full name is John Glenn Columbus International Airport. It is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus, Ohio.
The airport's IATA code is CMH, ICAO code is KCMH, and FAA LID is CMH.
The airport is owned and operated by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA).
