Official: New Columbia airport terminal on schedule

Plans for a new terminal at the Columbia Regional Airport paid for in part by a 1 percent increase in hotel taxes are on track, city officials said Friday.

Columbia Regional Airport Manager Mike Parks told the Columbia Chamber of Commerce members Friday morning that the new terminal construction is on schedule for 2022. Parks was not available afterward for comment as officials continue to work toward reopening the airport runway next week.

City spokesman Steve Sapp said he didn’t have time to comment on the new terminal because the city is focused on opening the to all air traffic as soon as possible. The runway was shut down earlier this week to fix a bump that was causing safety concerns for pilots. Regional carriers for United and American Airlines had already canceled flights because of the issue when the city shut down the runway for repairs.

According to a document provided by the city Finance Department through a records request, the amount of revenue from the hotel tax increase from February 2017 through now is about $1.38 million. The terminal project will cost about $38 million.

The Finance Department document said revenue fell short of expectations in 2018 but is trending toward meeting 2019 projections.

The Columbia City Council also has three items on its agenda for Monday approving a portion of funding for the project. The mayor and city council members did not respond to requests for comment.

The airport will host a forum Thursday to answer questions about the airport’s new terminal and ongoing projects.