Artist’s rendering showing the new information desk at Port Columbus airport. Image: courtesy of Columbus Regional Airport Authority.
Port Columbus terminal modernisation is expected to be completed by March 2016. Image: courtesy of Columbus Regional Airport Authority.
The total cost of the Port Columbus airport modernisation programme is estimated to be $80m. Image: courtesy of Columbus Regional Airport Authority.
The existing terminal at Port Columbus airport handles approximately 6.3 million passengers a year. Image: courtesy of Columbus Regional Airport Authority.

Columbus airport

Port Columbus International Airport, located seven miles from downtown Columbus, Ohio, US, is owned and operated by Columbus Regional Airport Authority. The airport offers 150 daily departures to 34 destinations from Columbus city.

The airport provided a service to 6.35 million passengers and handled 8.28 million pounds of cargo in 2014.

A terminal renovation and modernisation programme was initiated in November 2012 in order to create an exceptional travel experience for passengers and enhance functionality of the existing Port Columbus terminal, which was built in 1958. The multi-phase project is scheduled to be completed by March 2016.

Details of terminal modernisation at Port Columbus International Airport



Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in Wake County, North Carolina, US, has had its modernised Terminal 1 opened, marking the end of several development projects at the facility over a 20-year period.


The terminal modernisation programme includes renovation of the ticket lobby, baggage claim, and concourses A, B and C. Concourses A and C are completely renovated and concourse B upgrades will be completed by summer 2015.

Each concourse reflects modernisation elements such as terrazzo flooring, tile wainscoting, new hold room carpeting, natural and LED lighting, a family restroom and new men’s and women’s restrooms.

New concessions opened in concourse A and others will open soon in concourse B. Jet bridge upgrades are also included in the modernisation programme.

Renovations in the ticket lobby are in progress and include roof replacement, new skylights and other natural lighting enhancements, as well as LED fixtures, terrazzo flooring, new airline ticket counters and the expansion of checkpoint A from three to four lanes. Likewise, similar modernisation elements are under way in the baggage claim area.

Contractors involved with the Port Columbus airport terminal modernisation

"A terminal renovation and modernisation programme was initiated in November 2012 in order to create an exceptional travel experience for passengers and enhance functionality of the existing Port Columbus terminal."

URS Corporation was awarded the contract to provide planning, architectural design and engineering services for the Port Columbus airport modernisation programme. Messer Construction Company was awarded the concourse A construction contract, and Gilbane Building Company was contracted to carry out renovation in concourses B and C.

Turner Construction was selected as construction manager for the extensive ticket lobby modernisation and Corna Kokosing was chosen to manage baggage claim modernisation.

Financing

The total investment for the terminal modernisation is estimated to be $80m. The same is funded primarily by passenger facility charges as well as capital reserve and operating funds.

Other improvements at the Port Columbus international airport

In addition to the terminal modernisation programme, Columbus Regional Airport Authority in association with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) carried out south runway improvement at the airport. It included relocation of the existing south runway and conversion of the old south runway into a taxiway. The project was completed with an investment of $140m in 2014.

As part of the airport infrastructure improvement, Fairfield Inn & Suites, a Marriott brand hotel, was opened near the Port Columbus terminal in 2014 with an investment of $12.6m.

Runways

The airport has two runways; the first runway (10R/28L) is 3,036m long and the second runway (10L/28R) is 2,438m long. Both the runways are paved with asphalt.

Facilities at the existing passenger terminal

The passenger facilities at the existing terminal include Jake Brewer USO lounge, smoking areas, mediation room, ATMs, and restaurants. The terminal also offers free internet service with 20Mbps capacity, and has more than 2,000 power outlets and USB ports.