Columbia Regional adding new flight to Dallas next month; new restaurant about to go to bid

American Airlines will be adding an additional flight from Columbia Regional Airport (COU) to Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW) in April.

COU manager Mike Parks says the new daily flight will begin on April 6 at 11:59 am, giving COU five daily departing flights: three to DFW and two to Chicago O’Hare.

“Demand has definitely increased here in Columbia, just like it has nationwide and American has noticed that. So we’re excited that they decided to add that flight back into the schedule,” Parks says.

Parks says a new $23-million terminal being built at Columbia Regional is expected to open in late summer or early fall. It will be 52,000 square feet, compared to the current 16,000 square feet facility.

Meantime, Mr. Parks says they’ll go out to bid this week for a new restaurant at COU. He tells 939 the Eagle that airline passengers and local residents who aren’t flying will be able to eat there.

“It’s going to serve the both the sterile area, so on the passenger side of the terminal and also the public side,” says Parks.

The restaurant will be located in the new COU terminal.