PORT COLUMBUS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

'Port Columbus International Airport' , commonly shortened to 'Port Columbus', is an international airport located 6 miles (10 kilometers) east of downtown Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority which also oversees operations at Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field. The airport code 'CMH' stands for "Columbus Municipal Hangar" though that name is no longer used today.^[3]
Port Columbus is primarily a passenger airport, providing over 190 non-stop flights to 44 airports via 15 airlines daily.^[4] Traffic reached 6,733,990 passengers in 2006, a 1.9% increase over the previous year.² Due to an increase in flights by established carriers as well as the addition of Skybus Airlines in May and JetBlue in October 2006, however, the airport has seen a 13.4% increase in traffic the first seven months of 2007 and a 23% increase in passengers for the month of July.^[5] Port Columbus expects to top 8 million travellers by the end of the year.^[6][7] In addition, the airport also handles freight and US mail, with 10,411,920 units of freight and 8,537,279 units of mail passing through in 2006.²
Today, Port Columbus provides commercial air service to most all major airport hubs across the United States. The airport is the largest passenger airport in the central Ohio region, and is the second busiest in the state after Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.^[8] Port Columbus was also the 52^nd busiest airport in the United States in 2006.⁸
Accessing Port Columbus by road is possible by either of two bordering interstate highways: I-270 to the northeast and I-670 to the west. The main airport roadway, International Gateway, connects directly to I-670, making navigating to the airport relatively simple from anywhere in the area.^[9]
Port Columbus is also known for displaying a large amount of community artwork, including children's drawings, a photographic timeline, and other donated items. Most recognized is ''Brushstrokes in Flight'', a sculpture located directly in front of the Concourse B security checkpoint and designed by Roy Lichtenstein.^[10]

Contents

History

Early History

Recent improvements

Infrastructure

On-site facilities

Airfield

Future infrastructure

Current facility expansion

Western taxiway

Roadway improvement

Rental car facility

Runway relocation

New terminal

Airlines and destinations

Concourse A

Concourse B

Concourse C

Accessibility

Car

Bus

Taxi

Airport shuttle

References

External links

History

Early History

The airport opened July 8, 1929, on a site originally selected by Charles Lindbergh, as the eastern air terminus of the Transcontinental Air Transport air-rail New York to Los Angeles intercontinental route. Passengers traveled overnight on the Pennsylvania Railroad's luxury Airway Limited from New York to Columbus; by air from Columbus to Waynoka, Oklahoma; by rail again from Waynoka to Clovis, New Mexico; and finally by air from Clovis to Los Angeles. The original terminal building and hangars still exist, and are in use; the former terminal has been restored and is used for rental office space, while the original hangars are still used for airport operations.^[11]
By 1939, Port Columbus was handling fourteen flights per day. Ten of these flights were Transcontinental and Western Airlines (predecessor of Trans World Airlines), while the other four were American Airlines. TWA averaged twenty-one passengers per day at this time.¹¹

Recent improvements

A $70 million renovation of airport facilities was completed in 1979 for the airport's 50th anniversary. This upgraded the airport's capacity to 250 flights per day, and added fully enclosed jetways at every gate. Ten years later in 1989, a second, $15.5 million, seven-gate concourse was dedicated. The concourse was used exclusively by US Airways at the time. A third concourse was completed in 1995, which is now Concourse C.¹¹
Between 1998 and 2000 numerous airport expansion and renovation projects were completed, including a $25 million terminal renovation in 1998 which included additional retail shops, new flight information displays, enhanced lighting, upgraded flooring, and a new food court. Also new hangars and office spaces were completed for NetJets in 1999, as well as a $92 million parking garage including an underground terminal entrance, new rental car facilities, dedicated ground transportation area, improved eight-lane terminal access on two levels, and a new atrium and entrances in 2000.¹¹
On April 25, 2004, a new control tower directed its first aircraft, ushering in the beginning of several major facility enhancements to be constructed through 2025.¹¹

Infrastructure

On-site facilities

Port Columbus International Airport has two fixed-based operators on-site, Lane Aviation^[12] and Million Air^[13]. In 2001, Executive Jet Aviation (now known as NetJets Inc.) opened up a 200,000 square foot (18,580 m²) operational headquarters at Port Columbus International Airport.^[14]
In November 2006, Skybus Airlines began leasing 100,000 square feet (9,290 m²) of office and hangar facilities at the Columbus International AirCenter adjacent to Port Columbus.^[15]

Airfield

The original 1929 layout for the airport covered , with two runways extending 2,500 and in length.^[16] Since then, the runways have been expanded significantly. In 1952 the current south runway was lengthened to , making it the longest runway in the midwest at the time.¹¹ The north runway was also extended to in 1997,¹¹ though the south runway has since been extended to .^[17]
Port Columbus international Airport covers and has two runways:¹⁷

★ Runway 10R/28L: 10,125 x 150 ft. (3,086 x 46 m), air carrier runway, ILS equipped.

★ Runway 10L/28R: 8,000 x 150 ft. (2,438 x 46 m), air carrier runway, ILS equipped.

Future infrastructure

In 2005, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority unveiled the details of their capital improvement program for Port Columbus, dubbed "Progress is Building." It consists of six major elements designed to provide an increase in passenger capacity as well as improved customer service and convenience. The project is being funded entirely by airport revenue bonds, capital reserves, customer facility charges, FAA Airport Improvement Program Grants and other federal funds, with no funds coming from local taxes.^[18]

Current facility expansion

To facilitate an anticipated passenger increase, the current terminal capacity will be maximized to extend its life until a new facility is constructed. These improvements include expanding security checkpoints, adding restrooms, enhancing the current baggage handling system, adding concessions, and revamping the International Gateway interchange. Capacity improvements are ongoing, beginning in 2005 and scheduled to be completed by 2012.^[19]

Western taxiway

With the movement of International Gateway and other airport improvements, another taxiway will be built to provide more efficient airfield movement for airfield vehicles between the north and south runways. This taxiway will be built on the west side of where the runways currently sit, and follows the same timeline as the International Gateway project.¹⁹

Roadway improvement

In order to provide better traffic flow for an expected increase in passengers, transportation improvements will be made including a grade separation of International Gateway and Stelzer Road, eliminating two of the traffic lights that currently lie along International Gateway, and shifting International Gateway to the north. This final transportation improvement is also designed to allow room for the new terminal to be built in the future. Construction began in 2005 and is expected to finish in 2008.¹⁹

Rental car facility

Currently, the rental car facility is located within the passenger parking structure attached to the terminal. The airport is beginning to outgrow the current facility, and moving rental cars to a dedicated facility will allow for use of the current structure until a new one is built. This facility will be built on the west side of the airport, and will help to reduce traffic and serve both the current and planned new terminal. The facility is currently planned to be complete by 2012.¹⁹

Runway relocation

To support simultaneous arrivals and departures on both runways and make room for a planned new terminal, the southern runway will be removed, and an identical runway will be constructed south of its current location. When completed in 2012, the current runway will be converted into a taxiway.¹⁹

New terminal

A large new terminal, in conjunction with the existing terminal, is in the planning stages. The new facility will be constructed gradually to accommodate demand. Phase 1 will include an 8-10 gate terminal that will function in unison with the existing terminal. In addition, a new parking structure will be built to add parking spaces for passengers, which will eventually replace the old structure. This four-year project is largest element planned for Port Columbus, but will be the last to break ground. Construction is not expected to begin until 2014. The new terminal will gradually replace the existing terminal and will ultimately consist of 75 gates once passenger numbers reach 20 million, projected to be sometime in the 2030s decade.¹⁹

Airlines and destinations

The first major airline to fly into Port Columbus was TWA, and it kept a presence at Columbus over the next seventy years during the era of airline regulation.¹¹ TWA offered a club for exclusive passengers up until 2000 when America West took over a gate held by TWA and the club itself due to financial problems.²⁰
Port Columbus International Airport was formerly a hub of America West Airlines in the 1990s, but the company closed the hub in 2003. America West eliminated the Columbus hub as result of financial losses at the hub, overall financial losses at the airline, and a weak airline market after September 11, 2001.^[20]
The airport is currently the home base of Skybus Airlines, who began operations from Port Columbus on May 22, 2007. The airline is self-touted as the cheapest airline in the United States, offering a minimum of ten seats for $10 on every flight.^[21]
Port Columbus has 3 concourses containing a total of 44 gates.

Concourse A

Concourse A has 7 Gates A1 - A7

★ Continental Airlines Gates A5 - A7 (Houston-Intercontinental, Newark)⁴

★
★ Continental Connection operated by CommutAir (Cleveland)

★
★ Continental Express operated by Chautauqua Airlines (Cleveland, Houston-Intercontinental)

★
★ Continental Express operated by ExpressJet Airlines (Cleveland, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark)

★ Southwest Airlines Gates A2 - A4 (Baltimore/Washington, Chicago-Midway, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, St. Louis, Tampa)⁴

Concourse B

Concourse B has 25 Gates: B15 - B18A, B18B, B19 - B30A, B30B, B31 -B34A, B34B, B35, B36

★ Air Canada Gate B30⁴

★
★ Air Canada Jazz (Toronto-Pearson)

★ American Airlines Gates B32 - B34 (Dallas/Fort Worth)⁴

★
★ AmericanConnection operated by Chautauqua Airlines (St. Louis)

★
★ American Eagle (Boston, Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York-LaGuardia, Raleigh/Durham)

★ Midwest Airlines Gate B18⁴

★
★ Midwest Connect operated by SkyWest (Kansas City, Milwaukee)

★ Northwest Airlines Gates B35, B36 (Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul)

★
★ Northwest Airlink operated by Pinnacle Airlines (Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul)


★ Skybus Airlines Gates B15, B17, B19, B21 (Bellingham (WA), Burbank, Chicopee/Springfield (MA), Fort Lauderdale, Greensboro, Kansas City, Oakland, Portsmouth (NH), Richmond, St. Augustine, San Diego)^4[22]

★ United Airlines Gates B28 - B31 (Chicago-O'Hare, Denver)⁴

★
★ United Express operated by Chautauqua Airlines (Washington-Dulles)

★
★ United Express operated by Shuttle America (Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Washington-Dulles)

★ US Airways Gates B20, B22 - B26 (Charlotte, Orlando [seasonal], Philadelphia, Washington-Reagan)⁴

★
★ US Airways operated by America West Airlines (Las Vegas, Phoenix)

★
★ US Airways Express operated by Air Wisconsin (New York-LaGuardia, Philadelphia)

★
★ US Airways Express operated by Chautauqua Airlines (Charlotte, New York-LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Washington-Reagan)

★
★ US Airways Express operated by Mesa Airlines (Charlotte)

★
★ US Airways Express operated by PSA Airlines (Charlotte)

★
★ US Airways Express operated by Republic Airlines (Charlotte, Philadelphia)

Concourse C

Concourse C has 12 Gates: C46 - C53A, C53B, C54 - C56

★ Delta Air Lines Gates C47-C49, C53A, C53B-C56 (Atlanta, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City [seasonal])⁴

★
★ Delta Connection operated by Chautauqua Airlines (Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Hartford, New York-JFK, Orlando, Tampa, Washington-Reagan)

★
★ Delta Connection operated by Comair (Boston, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Fort Myers, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Washington-Reagan)

★
★ Delta Connection operated by Freedom Airlines (Orlando)

★
★ Delta Connection operated by Shuttle America (Atlanta)

★
★ Delta Connection operated by SkyWest (Salt Lake City) [seasonal]

★ JetBlue Airways Gates C50, C51 (Boston, New York-JFK)⁴

★ USA 3000 Airlines Gate C46 (Cancún)⁴

Accessibility

Car

The airport is accessible directly by taking exit number nine on Interstate 670 to International Gateway. Alternately, drivers located south of the airport can also get to the airport via Hamilton Road, just south of Interstate 270, and enter at Sawyer Road.⁹
Parking is available long-term and short-term in the six-story attached parking garage, though the first two levels are dedicated to rental cars. Additional long-term parking is also available in three outdoor lots along International Gateway, named blue, green, and red. All three lots access the terminal via free shuttle, which run continuously throughout the day.^[23]

Bus

Port Columbus can be accessed by bus via the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA). Two routes are offered to and from the airport, route 92 which serves the east side of Columbus throughout the day and route 52 which serves the Ohio State University during school breaks. Those wishing to take the bus from other regions of central Ohio to the airport must take other busses and transfer to either route.^[24]

Taxi

Inbound taxi services are offered through numerous taxi businesses in the Columbus area. All outbound taxi services, however, are offered through Dulles Airport Taxi, Inc.^[25]

Airport shuttle

Shuttle services are offered every twenty minutes taking passengers to the heart of Downtown Columbus. Other shuttle services transports passengers to other directions other than downtown.^[26]

References

★ Port Columbus International Airport (official site)

★ Port Columbus International Airport (unofficial site)
1.
FAA Airport Master Record for CMH

2.
Port Columbus International Airport 2006 Traffic Report

3.
Airport ABCs: An Explanation of Airport Identifier Codes

4.
Port Columbus Non-stop Destinations

5.
Port Columbus breaks record Marla Matzer Rose

6.
Tickets flying as Skybus boosts schedule Marla Matzer Rose

7.
Port Columbus Sets Passenger Record for Sixth Consecutive Month

8.
2006 North America Final Traffic Report : Total Passengers

9.
Google Map of Port Columbus International Airport

10.
Art Displays and Children's Postcards

11.
Port Columbus Milestones

12.
Lane Aviation: About Us

13.
Welcome to Million Air

14.
Executive Jet, Inc. Inaugurates New Operations Center

15.
Skybus will establish headquarters at Columbus International AirCenter

16.
75 Years of Flight in Columbus

17.
75 Years of Flight in Columbus

18.
Port Columbus Master Plan Executive Summary

19.
Port Columbus Master Plan

20.
America West in Columbus

21.
Taft Announces Skybus Airlines Chooses Ohio As Best Place to Do Business

22.
Notice of Action Taken - Docket OST-2007-28587

23.
Parking Maps

24.
COTA Map

25.
Taxi Services

26.
Shuttle Services

External links

★ National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) CMH Local

★
★ Live ATC from Port Columbus

★
★ Real-Time Flight Information for Port Columbus