Flights out of Columbia Regional Airport going as scheduled

Over the past week, states have been blasted by winter temperatures and snowstorms, causing delays at airports across the country, but flights in and out of Columbia Regional Airport have not been affected by weather recently.

Airport manager Mike Parks said there were a few delayed flights Wednesday but the delays were due to unrelated maintenance issues and crew availabilities.

Flights out of Columbia Regional Airport are done for the day and arrivals are going as scheduled as of 5 p.m., but Parks said people should have a general awareness and stay apprised of any changes.

“I would suggest everybody look ahead and look at the forecast to see the places they’re flying into — their connections and final destinations,” he said.

When it comes to safety, airports will be busy from now until Jan. 4 but officials said the quality of security will remain high.

Background checks happen even before someone sets foot in an airport, and Transportation Security Administration has teams in Missouri paying close attention to security.

“We have a team of inspectors who travel around the state who are responsible for perimeter security and security procedures for airlines, airport employees,” said Missouri’s federal security director Jim Spriggs. “All of (that) forms a more comprehensive, secure facility.”

TSA employees are also recertified annually to make sure they understand new protocols and processes that evolve.

“They have the technology to make sure that nothing prohibited can get on an airplane,” said Spriggs.

To check on your flight’s status, you can click here, or here.