Columbia Regional Airport unveils new terminal

The Columbia Regional Airport is taking off after the official opening of its new airport terminal.

“We’re proud of the grant opening, we’re proud of what Columbia has meant to us,” said Dale Morris, Government Affairs at American Airlines.

Through American Airlines, the new 52,000-square-foot terminal includes four gates, a restaurant, and an interior service animal relief area. The $23 million project also includes artwork from lots of local artists, and a new execution of funding.

“They were able to use about 10.8 million of Cares Act funding. Not only is it the first in the region, I believe it was the first in the nation to be able to do that. and having that money enables this project to move up to get done sooner,” said Debra Sanning, Deputy Regional Administrator of the Federal Aviation Association.

Attendees of the opening were able to tour the terminal, which Governor Parson and many officials alike say he hopes will boost tourism in the show-me state.

“You look at all the new businesses that have moved into the Columbia area and how important they are and the expansions you’re seeing, and that’s going to continue to grow. And I think again, you’re going to find this is gonna be a much larger destination not only in the state of Missouri but other states,” he said.

Flights through the new terminal have already begun through Dallas and Chicago, and will expand in the coming weeks.