Both major airlines now flying out of COU

United and American Airlines resumed flights out of Columbia Regional Airport on Tuesday morning after the airport shut down last week.

The airport closed to air traffic on April 9 due to necessary runway repairs because of concerns about the “crown” where runway 2-20 intersects runway 13-31. The crown helps drain water off the runway but can cause the feeling of hitting a bump on takeoff or landing

The Airport announced on Saturday that the runway was repaired and was open to air traffic. United Airlines resumed service on Sunday. American Airlines resumed flights Tuesday morning.

ABC 17’s Connor Hirsch was on board a United flight to Chicago Tuesday morning.

A TSA employee said Tuesday was his first day doing security checks after the the closure to air traffic, but that he still reported to work last week.

The pilot of flight UA3778 said Tuesday was his first time flying into and out of Columbia Regional Airport, so he never experienced the bump. However, he was warned by other pilots about landing and taking off from COU and was told to warn passengers about the bump before it was fixed.

The pilot said he was surprised at how fast the runway was fixed and how there was little to no bump during take-off and landing.

A passenger on flight UA3778 said he booked this flight before the closure last week. He is a business owner in Columbia and said he uses the airport regularly for business trips. He also commented on the smooth take-off.

ABC17’s Connor Hirsch flew back into Columbia Regional Airport around 12:30p.m. He landed at 2p.m.

There did not seem to be a bump, after speaking to some other passengers on the flight on the flight. There was one bumpy patch while taxiing, and passengers could see construction workers continuing to work.

The pilot and flight attendant on this flight did not give a comment.

Check back for more after the next flight lands.