93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Columbia’s interim city manager says the federal government will pay for most of the runway repairs at the airport.
Columbia Regional Airport is closed until Tuesday, because the crown of the runway is making landings and takeoffs too bumpy.
The Daily Tribune reports John Glascock said Wednesday the project may cost $500,000, but the FAA will cover 90 percent of the bill.
Glascock says the crown was built to FAA standards. It helps to drain water off the runway.
Repairs to the runway are secondary. This problem just goes to show how lacking Columbia airport actually is for providing valued service to this area. Travel to Springfield and you’ll see a much smaller market with a much larger airport, providing service to a much larger area.
No, we don’t use COU due to the ridiculous extra it costs to make connections. Yes, it’s not as convenient but when you take a family on a vacation to Florida or Atlanta, or anyplace other than the 3 areas serviced from COU, you can rack over $1000 in additional travel costs thru COU. And don’t even try reasonable connections for international.
Allegiant or some small carrier needs to come in for real competition. Round trip to Florida for under $200 direct flights from Springfield. And Allegiant just opened service to the STL area for those folks at a reduced price.
The only things keeping COU alive over there are the universities. And now with this close down I would question real hard before booking any important trip from there.
Follow the money trail though. A small group of folks are calling the shots for COU to try and advance their local agenda not the common public or elected officials.