Columbia Airport Refreshes Brand

Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) boasts a refreshed look, feel and direction while trying to build on a 24% growth in passenger traffic since 2018. That’s the message Capital Rotarians heard March 11 from guest speakers (left to right in photo) Kim Jamieson and Mike Gula. Jamieson heads marketing and air services development, while Gula has been the aviation facility’s executive director for six years. They said CAE’s customers are 70% business fliers, 20% college, government or military passengers, and 10% family-based travelers. To compete with larger airports in Charleston, Charlotte and Savannah, CAE emphasizes a “fly with ease” theme of comfort and convenience. Gula said 91% of passengers move from the terminal’s entrance to security screening stations within five minutes. CAE also has local pride of ownership. Along with businesses operating on its campus, the airport generates over 1,800 fulltime jobs, more than $80 million in labor income and $535 million in economic output in South Carolina. CAE handles over 132 million pounds of cargo each year as a regional hub for UPS Airlines – the world’s third-largest airfreight operation. Gula said strong local support allows the airport to work for bigger planes, new air service and better fares.