Where we are: A legacy of air travel
Let’s take a trip back to where it all began. It’s 1929, and the excitement is palpable at the grand opening of our original terminal building. Thousands gathered July 8 to witness history as passengers boarded two Ford Tri-Motor aircraft. Among them was none other than the legendary Amelia Earhart, embarking on a transcontinental journey.
Fast forward to 1958 – Columbus was booming, and Port Columbus was the 16th busiest airport in the country. It was time for a new terminal to keep up with demand. An astounding 130,000 people joined us to celebrate the opening of the terminal we still use today.
For more than six decades, this terminal has served us well. We’ve made renovations and expansions, but the time has come to look ahead.
Where we are now: Building for the future
Columbus has always been at the forefront of air travel. But our current terminal is over 60 years old and, even with updates, it’s showing its age. That’s why we’re thrilled to be working on a brand-new terminal for John Glenn Columbus International Airport.
We officially announced the news to the public in 2023, and since then have released renderings (currently at 60% design completion), a new terminal website, and a map showing the layout of what the airport grounds will look like come 2029.*
But the work for the new terminal didn’t start there.
In 2021, we opened the new rental car center. The facility was strategically positioned so it will connect directly to the new terminal. While you take a shuttle to get there now, in 2029, it will be easily accessible via a pedestrian bridge.
When are we breaking ground? Early 2025, although you might already be seeing some enabling projects happening around the airport. These projects are setting up our grounds for a successful process once the new terminal construction begins.
Construction will take place alongside current operations, so you can still catch your flights without a hitch. We’ll keep you updated on any access road changes along the way through CMHNext.com and on social media.
Where we're going: A terminal for generations to come
This isn’t just a renovation or an expansion – it’s a whole new terminal. Once the new building opens in 2029, the current terminal will be retired (read: demolished) and the grounds will be used for additional overnight aircraft parking meaning planes can be onsite and ready for their first flight the next day.
Here’s what else you can look forward to:
- Effortless travel: One centralized security checkpoint means no more disconnected concourses, making even more amenities available to all travelers.
- Parking made easy: A new 5,000-car parking garage with plenty of accessibility options, including electric vehicle chargers.
- Seamless connections: A pedestrian bridge will link the terminal to the transportation center, parking garage, and rental car center. The transportation center will house shuttles, rideshares, taxis, and busses.
- A welcoming atmosphere: A central marketplace with breathtaking views of the airfield and skyline offers a place for passengers to connect and relax.
- Delicious dining: We’re bringing in exciting new food and beverage options. More to come!
- Eco-friendly design: The terminal will incorporate energy-efficient technology, such as smart glass, and a reclaimed water system.
We’ve seen a lot of questions come through over the past few months. We love our community’s interest in this project, and we want to be sure you have all the info. Here are some answers to your burning questions:
- What will happen to the current garage? It will stay open for airport parking. Plus, we’ll have the addition of our new 5,000-space garage located across from the new terminal.
- Will flights be affected during construction? No, we expect normal flight schedules throughout the project.
- Do we need new runways? Nope, our existing runways can handle the growth. In 1997, the north runway was extended from 6,000 to 8,000 feet, and in 2013 the south runway was relocated to provide sufficient distance between the two runways to accommodate simultaneous arrivals and departures.
- Why one concourse instead of three? One concourse means easier access to all amenities and a more streamlined experience.
- How will the new terminal be different than what we have now? The capacity of this new terminal is going to be unlike what we have or have had. The new terminal is projected to be 1 million square feet and will be able to handle 51% more passengers daily.
- How many gates will there be? 36 gates, 7 more than we have now, with room to grow in the future.
- Does this mean we’ll finally have international flights?! A new terminal is just that – a new building with new opportunities. New routes, including international ones, are always at the forefront of our airline business development team’s minds. Ultimately airlines decide what routes they fly, but we stand ready and willing to partner with them to expand flight options.
- How is this being funded? The airport is self-sustaining meaning funding comes from airlines, federal funding, parking, and more.
We’re excited to build an airport that reflects the vibrant spirit of Columbus and will serve our community for generations to come.
Stay tuned for more updates on our social media – and, if you ever miss an update, you can always find the latest info on cmhnext.com.
*The map is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent a to-scale idea of what the new terminal will look like compared to the rest of the airport property.
