Columbia Regional Airport provides nonstop flights to Charlotte as journey choices increase

COLUMBIA — Columbia Regional Airport continues to evolve right into a transportation hotspot in Central Missouri.

Friday, COU had an early launch of its new nonstop flights to Charlotte, NC, following a schedule change by American Airlines.

This launch, together with a number of different latest updates, was initially halted by the pandemic.

“Ironically, Charlotte was very, very close to being announced during the pandemic as well. And of course, that put that flight on hold as well,” stated Airport Manager Michael Parks.

With airport updates and enhancements constantly underway, COU is now reaching a broader viewers whereas assembly the wants of native vacationers.

“We’ve had passenger growth every month. We know that we’re going to continue that through this year,” stated Parks.

Flights to Orlando and Destin are set to kick off subsequent month after the latest addition of Allegiant Airlines.

In the midst of enlargement, Parks stated there may be additionally a aim of enhancing the comfort for Mid-Missouri residents and past.

This means including two new overflow parking heaps, additionally opening in June, with a complementary shuttle service.

“That parking lot is going to add about 700 parking spaces to our current capacity. In addition to that, we’re also looking at constructing a new parking lot to the north. That new parking lot will be a paved parking lot, and we’ll add about an additional 250 spaces,” stated Parks.

That’s why mid-Missouri residents like Antonio fly COU.

“I always prefer to travel from Colombia, so I don’t need to travel or drive a long distance,” stated traveler Antonio Pimentel.

He was headed to Brazil.

The latest addition of flights to Charlotte solely provides to the attract.

“I used to travel to Charlotte in the past, so I went to Chicago and then Chicago, Charlotte. Now with a direct flight, it’s much easier,” stated Pimentel.

Some say the one factor lacking is a pre-boarding snack.

However, because the airport makes every day strides for lodging, Parks stated that is already on the docket.

Bids are about to roll out for a scorching meals kitchen.

Parks is hopeful that building on that may begin as quickly as this summer season.

“That kitchen is going to be offering a hot food menu to both the public and the secure side of the airport. So, whether it’s pre-security or post-security, people are going to have options for hot food,” stated Parks.

One large issue that outweighs comfort is value.

Parks added that as flights and passenger numbers develop, so will the chance for extra aggressive costs.

He stated some have already dropped considerably.

“The more seats that we fill, is going to add more options out of Columbia. As we’ve seen these flights increase in Colombia, we’ve also seen fares decrease. And so you’re going to notice now that the fares out of Columbia are very consistent with those that you find in St. Louis and Kansas City. So, I like to remind everybody, if you haven’t used the airport in the past, please check these fares because you’re going to find that Columbia is just as competitive on fares as what you’re going to see at the other airports,” stated Parks.