Ohio's Capital City Airport: What's In A Name?

what is columbus ohio airport called

Columbus, Ohio is served by three airports: John Glenn Columbus International Airport (formerly known as Port Columbus International Airport), Rickenbacker International Airport, and Bolton Field. John Glenn Columbus International Airport is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus and is the second busiest airport in the state. It is primarily a passenger airport, providing 148 non-stop flights to 31 airports daily. Rickenbacker International Airport, on the other hand, is located 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Columbus and is primarily a cargo airport, although it has been serving an increasing number of passenger flights since 2012. Bolton Field is the third airport serving Columbus, Ohio.

Characteristics Values
Name John Glenn Columbus International Airport
Former Name Port Columbus International Airport
Airport Code CMH
Location 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus, Ohio
Year Opened 1929
Owner/Operator Columbus Regional Airport Authority
Number of Runways 2
Area 2,265 acres
Number of Non-Stop Daily Flights 148
Number of Destinations 31
Number of Passenger Airlines 9
Parking Six-story parking garage with long-term and short-term parking options
Public Transport Bus service to downtown Columbus

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John Glenn Columbus International Airport (formerly Port Columbus)

John Glenn Columbus International Airport (IATA: CMH, ICAO: KCMH, FAA LID: CMH), formerly known as Port Columbus International Airport, is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus, Ohio. It is one of three airports in Columbus, the others being Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field, both of which are also managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport is primarily a passenger airport, serving as the largest passenger terminal in central Ohio and the second busiest in the state, after Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The airport offers 148 non-stop flights to 31 airports via nine airlines daily. In 2019, over 8 million passengers travelled through the airport. The airport is open 24/7, with security opening at 4:30 a.m. and remaining open until the last flight departs.

The airport was opened on July 8, 1929, as the Columbus Municipal Hangar, with the original terminal building and hangars still remaining on-site. The airport code "CMH" is derived from the airport's original name. A $70 million renovation of the airport facilities was completed in 1981, upgrading the airport's capacity to 250 flights per day with the addition of Concourse B and fully enclosed jetways at every gate. Further expansions were completed in 1989, 1996, and 2002, with a north concourse being added, and an $80 million terminal renovation completed in 2017.

On May 25, 2016, the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill to rename the airport from Port Columbus International Airport to its current name, in honour of astronaut and four-term U.S. senator John Glenn. The name change was signed into law by Ohio Governor John Kasich on June 14, 2016, and became official 90 days later.

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Rickenbacker International Airport

Rickenbacker International is primarily a cargo airport for Columbus, although it has served an increasing number of passenger flights since 2012. The airport was ranked as one of the most cost-effective small commercial airports in the country for passengers in 2020. Monthly international arrivals peaked in 2020 and 2021, with airlines bringing in medical cargo during the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport's role in the pandemic led to it being named the 2021 Airport of the Year by the Ohio Aviation Association.

The Rickenbacker Passenger Terminal offers free Wi-Fi and charging stations for devices. On-site parking is available 24 hours a day, including ADA-designated spaces. The airport also provides assistance for travellers with disabilities, medical conditions, or other special circumstances through TSA Cares.

The airport is accessible from the I-270 outer belt, and taxis and rideshares are available at the curbside of the passenger terminal. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is also available for passengers travelling through the terminal.

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Columbus, Ohio, is served by three airports: John Glenn Columbus International Airport (formerly known as Port Columbus International Airport); Rickenbacker International Airport; and Bolton Field.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport

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 is owned and operated by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also manages Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field. The airport code "CMH" stands for "Columbus Municipal Hangar," the airport's original name.

The airport is accessible by road from the east via Hamilton Road, just south of Interstate 270, with entrances at Sawyer Road and from the west via Stelzer Road. The airport offers both long-term and short-term parking in a six-story parking garage connected to the terminal. Lower-cost satellite parking options are also available in the Blue, Red, and Green parking lots, with a free shuttle service to and from the terminal. The Columbus Metropolitan Area's bus service, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), provides bus transportation between the airport and downtown Columbus.

Rickenbacker International Airport

Rickenbacker International Airport (IATA: LCK, ICAO: KLCK, FAA LID: LCK) is situated 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Columbus, near Lockbourne in southern Franklin County, Ohio. The airport is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also oversees John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Bolton Field. While Rickenbacker primarily serves as a cargo airport for Columbus, it has witnessed an increase in passenger flights and charter carriers since 2012.

Bolton Field

Bolton Field (TZR) is one of the three airports serving Columbus, Ohio, and is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.

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History and renovations

John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) serves Columbus, Ohio, and its metropolitan area. The airport is located about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus and is owned and operated by the City of Columbus.

The airport was originally known as Port Columbus when it opened in July 1929. It was the first airport in the United States to have a paved runway, which was made possible through a donation by Charles Lindbergh, who had surveyed the site for its potential just a year before his historic transatlantic flight. The airport's original art deco terminal building, designed by David Riebel, was constructed in 1929 and remains a landmark today, housing the airport's administrative offices. This terminal served commercial flights until 1958 when a new, larger terminal was constructed to accommodate the growing demand for air travel.

During World War II, the airport was used as a training base for the US Army Air Forces, and it saw significant expansion, including the construction of several hangars and other facilities. After the war, the airport returned to civilian control and continued to grow, with new runways and expanded facilities. In 1958, a new terminal building was constructed, which was then expanded in 1980 to accommodate increased passenger traffic. This expansion included a new concourse and additional gates, as well as improved baggage claim and ticketing areas.

In 2007, the airport underwent a major renovation and expansion project, which included the construction of a new passenger terminal and the renovation of existing concourses. The new terminal, designed by HOK Architects, features a modern design with improved passenger flow and enhanced amenities. It includes a spacious ticketing lobby, improved security screening areas, and a variety of dining and retail options. The project also involved the addition of a new parking garage, offering more convenient parking options for travelers.

Further renovations were carried out in 2016, with a focus on enhancing the airport's aesthetics and functionality. This included the installation of new flooring, updated lighting, and improved wayfinding signage throughout the terminal. The project also involved the addition of new art installations and exhibits, showcasing the rich history and culture of Columbus. These enhancements not only improved the overall passenger experience but also reflected the vibrant and dynamic nature of the city.

In October 2016, the airport was renamed John Glenn Columbus International Airport in honor of John Glenn, the former US Marine Corps pilot, astronaut, and US Senator from Ohio. Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth, and he had a strong connection to the state of Ohio, having grown up in New Concord, a small town about 70 miles (110 km) east of Columbus. The renaming ceremony was attended by Glenn and his family, with the airport's new name officially unveiled on the 55th anniversary of his historic orbital flight.

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Passenger and cargo services

Columbus, Ohio, has three airports: John Glenn Columbus International Airport (formerly known as Port Columbus International Airport), Rickenbacker International Airport, and Bolton Field.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport is primarily a passenger airport, providing 148 non-stop flights to 31 airports via nine airlines daily. It is the largest passenger terminal in central Ohio and the second busiest in the state after Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Over 8 million passengers traveled through the airport in 2019. The airport is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Columbus.

Rickenbacker International Airport, on the other hand, is primarily a cargo airport for the city of Columbus. However, it has also been serving an increasing number of passenger flights since 2012. The airport is located 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Columbus, near Lockbourne in southern Franklin County.

In terms of parking, John Glenn Columbus International Airport has a six-story parking garage that provides long-term and short-term parking. There are also lower-cost satellite parking options in the Blue, Red, and Green parking lots, with the Blue Lot being the closest to the terminal and the Green Lot being the furthest. Rickenbacker International Airport does not appear to have dedicated parking, but there are off-site parking options nearby, such as The Parking Spot on Stelzer Road, which offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.

For those traveling to and from the airport via public transportation, the Columbus Metropolitan Area's bus service, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), provides a bus service between John Glenn Columbus International Airport and downtown Columbus.

Both airports are managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.

Frequently asked questions

The airport in Columbus, Ohio is called John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

The airport code is CMH, which stands for Columbus Municipal Hangar, the airport's original name.

Rickenbacker International Airport is located 10 miles south of downtown Columbus, in Franklin County.

Rickenbacker International Airport is one of the fastest-growing cargo airports and was named the 2021 Airport of the Year.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport is the second busiest airport in Ohio, after Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

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