Modernization and Updates In The Works At Columbus Airport Terminal

COLUMBUS, GA: It has been more than two decades since the main terminal at the Columbus Airport has seen an upgrade. However, a list of improvements and modernization is about the change the face of the airport terminal.

During last week’s Columbus City Council meeting, Amber Clark, The Interim Director of the Columbus Airport was on hand at the meeting. Clark was joined by members of the Columbus Airport Commission who gave Mayor Tomlinson and members of the city council an update on a plan to make improvements and modernize the terminal at the airport ahead of a list of other goals the airport has set in place.

Clark advised members of council that the Columbus Airport is in the process of modernizing the existing terminal. Clark who is a native of Kennesaw, Georgia north of Atlanta has been in Columbus about three years and has fallen in love with the city. She has worked in other positions at the airport prior to being named as the Interim Director.

Clark told council members that the terminal at the Columbus Airport was designed in the 1980’s and construction was completed in 1991. Since that time there has been no major upgrades to the facility. Clark noted that the Airport is in a new campaign called, “Forward with Focus”. The campaign is an initiative of projects to move the Airport forward over the next few years with one of the biggest being the terminal updates.

The list of upgrades to the Airport include an update to the building system, new interior and exterior atmosphere upgrades, enhanced security features, foster air service development, increase passenger efficiencies and comfort at the airport, and to the showcase the city through the facility. Clark told council members that the architects the airport has hired has come up with ways to incorporate the city of Columbus into the design of the terminal.

Clark told council members that the natural beauty and earth tones of Columbus caught the eye of the architects and will be incorporated into the new design. “The Architects looked at the city and fell in love with the river,” said Clark as she noted that new banners will hang from the ceiling of the first floor of the airport. They will have a unique design that closely resemble the river. Clark also noted the natural brick color and earth tones of Columbus will be incorporated into the design of the airport both inside and out.

The outside area of the airport near the main loading terminal will have a woodgrain paneling added to the design. While a woodgrain design and elements of the river will be incorporated to the interior design of the airport. The overall earth tone themed colors of the Chattahoochee Valley will be incorporated into the design of the airport.

The following images were shown during the council meeting on Tuesday that show proposed upgrades to the Columbus Airport

The airport is also set to get other upgrades include additional meeting space. Clark noted that a new meeting area is being put in place on the first floor of the facility as well as one upstairs that will overlook the taxiway and allow visitors in the meeting space to watch the aircraft while having their meeting. The meeting rooms will be available for rental once completed. The airport is also adding additional sitting space to the airport this will include more space for diners at the airport to enjoy their meals.

Security upgrades and a more efficient TSA system is being put in place in the updates as well. The baggage system at the airport is set to be updated to a more automated system. The ticketing counters at the airport will be more condensed in the new design as well. The airport will move its holding room downstairs from its present location upstairs, while little change will be put in place to the administrative offices and FAA offices presently in the Airport.

During the council meeting Clark did not disclose any information about the possibility of a new airline starting service to the airport in the near future. Clark did mention that the airport has been working hard to foster air service development at the airport though but did not elaborate on any upcoming announcements for new air service.

The Columbus Airport Terminal is a total of 66,000 square feet that includes 7 gates according to the Columbus Airport website. There are two runways at the facility and the total airport covers 680 acres. The airport has more than 1,200 public parking spaces and employees more than 600 people in airline, ground transportation, concessions, security, federal government, and Airport tenant employees. The website indicates the airport has an impact of more than $70.1 million for the Columbus Metro area economy.

Clark did not give any details on how soon the updates to the terminal will begin. She did note that the airport has funding through the Federal and State Airport Improvement Programs. Air service in the city of Columbus dates back to August of 1944 when Eastern Airlines began service to the city on August 1, 1944 as a stop between Atlanta and Montgomery. Just three years later in July of 1947 Delta added Columbus as a stop along a route between Atlanta and Fort Worth, Texas that had recently started. Delta still serves the city to this day through its Delta Connection service to Atlanta.