Record July predicted for fast-growing Columbia Regional Airport

By Brian Hauswirth
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Columbia Regional Airport (COU) should see a record July, according to a member of the city’s airport advisory board.

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Columbia Airport advisory board chair Randa Rawlins speaks at the COU press conference about Charlotte (December 18, 2025 file photo courtesy of city of Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen)

Businessman Matt Jenne, the founder of Addison’s and Sophia’s restaurants, briefed business leaders and elected officials at this week’s Columbia REDI board meeting. Mr. Jenne expects about 30,000 people to fly out of Columbia Regional in July. That would be a record.

Aviation firm Mead and Hunt says COU is the nation’s fastest-growing airport. Columbia Regional Airport welcomed about 242,000 passengers in 2025, a record and a 17 percent increase over 2024 numbers.