Columbia Metropolitan Airport celebrates 2018
December 12, 2018
Columbia Metropolitan Airport is ending 2018 with a number of accomplishments to include an increase in passengers each month. The number of departing passengers for November is up over 17.5% versus October and up 10.14% year to date as compared to 2017. Total passengers, to include departing and arriving, is up over 16% for November and almost 10% year to date.
Total capacity, or the number of airline seats available at CAE, is up over 57,000 seats, an 8% increase over 2017. From December 2018 through February 2019, the number of available airline seats is expected to increase 21% at CAE.
On June 7th, American Airlines began mainline service on their nonstop flights to Dallas and increased seat capacity by 40%. United Airlines increased their nonstop service to Chicago and Washington Dulles. And, Delta Airlines upgraded the remainder of their regional jet service to all Delta mainline service.
In October, Air Wisconsin, a regional carrier for United Airlines operating as United Express, opened their newest flight crew base at CAE. The new base added approximately 150 new crew members consisting of pilots and flight attendants. Air Wisconsin also operates an aircraft maintenance facility at CAE for their fleet of CRJ 200 aircraft.
As part of the SC Airports Coalition, CAE co-hosted a small business event at which over 250 small, women-owned, minority-owned and locally owned businesses attended. These businesses received information about upcoming opportunities with the state’s four commercial airports and the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport as well as the local and national DOT totaling nearly $2B.
The COLA (Columbia Opportunity Leasing Agreement) Kiosk Program was initiated this year as an opportunity for local small businesses and independent merchants to showcase and extend retail merchandise and food service product offerings to our travelers. The program is a short-term, low-risk opportunity for small businesses. Those interested are required to submit an “Expression of Interest” form and a business plan. Participants in the program will kick-off their kiosk presence in 2019.
On December 21, Via Airlines begins nonstop service to the Orlando Sanford International Airport with four flights weekly. This will bring the number of nonstop destinations out of CAE to 10. Including Orlando, those nonstop destinations are Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Washington Dulles, Washington National, Philadelphia, New York/LaGuardia, Atlanta, Charlotte and to over 350 + connections worldwide.
Mike Gula, CAE’s new Executive Director who took over the helm in May, said, “I am proud of the work that we have accomplished this year. 2019 is shaping up to be another great year of opportunities and growth for the Airport. I appreciate the dedicated work of my team and to all of our community partners for their support of CAE.”
