Mid-Missouri Business Week: Changes at Columbia Regional Airport

The Columbia Regional Airport (COU) has two big projects in the works: a new terminal and a new security line.

In May, the Columbia City Council approved the location for the new terminal. It will be just south of the current terminal, where an airport hangar is now. The multi-million-dollar project will also include relocation of that hangar.

The TSA-approved security line could be in place as soon as July 2018, and will help reduce waiting time for passengers flying out of COU.

ABC 17’s Deborah Kendrick sat down with Mike Parks, the airport manager, who said the number of people using the airport continues to grow and that he is always trying to look at bringing new airlines to COU.

“The airlines now see the growth in Columbia, so we don’t necessarily have to seek out the airlines like we used to do in years past. The airlines are seeking Columbia. They see the growth, they see the numbers and they see the potential here,” Parks said.