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The $23-million new terminal at Columbia Regional Airport is expected to be done in September (rendering courtesy of COU website)

Columbia airport officials continuing discussions about service to Charlotte; hoping for return of Denver service

A $23 million new terminal project is underway at Columbia Regional Airport (rendering courtesy of COU website)

Columbia Regional Airport’s (COU) director is hopeful that daily flights to Charlotte will begin in 2022. COU director Michael Parks tells 939 the Eagle that they’re continuing discussions with American Airlines about the timing of the Charlotte route.

Just before the pandemic started, COU received an $800,000 federal grant (Small Community Air Service Development Program) for twice-daily service to Charlotte. Columbia’s city council has approved the proposed agreement.

COU staff are also hopeful for the quick return of daily United service to Denver, which was temporarily suspended last year due to the pandemic.

Dallas-based American Airlines currently has five daily flights out of COU: three to Dallas and two to Chicago O’Hare. United is offering twice daily service to O’Hare.

There are several major improvement projects underway at Columbia Regional Airport.

The $9 million runway extension project is expected to be done by mid-December, and contractors are also working on a $23 million new terminal project. That’s expected to be done by 2022.

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