Columbia Regional Airport officials discuss plans for new terminal

Columbia is moving forward onitsplans for amultimilliondollar terminal despite an airline pullingitsservices next week.

Officials with Columbia Regional say despite Frontier Airlines endingitsservice inmid-Missourisix months after it got here, the airport is still generating money with just one carrier.

Not enough members attended Wednesday’s meeting to vote, but the voting members present agreed they would like to see more detailed plans for a new terminal.

The new terminal requires building a newinfrastructure allowingfor double the amount of planes andanew parking structure for additional parking.

Remodeling the current terminal would cost nearly $18.5 million, while building a new terminal would costan additional $24 million.

The Chamber of Commerce said the total price of the new terminal would be $42 million.

“As we move forward we want to make sure we are building and remodeling for the future. That it is going to meet the needs of not just the citizens of Columbia but Secure TSA, FAA and all the things they require,” Mike Glascock said,cityof Columbiapublic works director.

Gloscock says the current terminal was built before9/11and TSA regulations and lackingin updated security measures.

Columbia CityManagerMike Matthes said the airport expected a loss in the semi annual budget of nearly$5,000. They ended upsurprised,ending almost $200,000over.

Wednesday, MayorBob McDavidagreed,saying the airport is continually selling out flights and doing well.

The airport’s “Guarantee Fund” with American Airlines requires the airport to pay the airline if not enough revenue is brought in.

This March, the airport did not need to pay the airline.