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Columbia Regional Airport
Columbia, United States
Columbia Regional Airport
Mid-Missouri's primary commercial gateway serving Columbia.
- ›Located roughly five miles southeast of downtown Columbia, Missouri.
- ›Serves the University of Missouri community, a major demand driver for air service.
- ›Competes with Kansas City International and St. Louis Lambert airports, both within two hours by car.
- ›Has received Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidies at various points to maintain commercial connectivity.
- ›Elevation is approximately 889 feet above mean sea level.
Columbia Regional Airport (COU) serves Columbia, Missouri, home to the University of Missouri and a thriving mid-Missouri community. Originally developed as a general aviation field, the airport has grown to offer scheduled commercial service connecting the region to major hubs. Its compact, passenger-friendly layout makes it a convenient alternative to larger Missouri metros for local travelers.
- Main Terminal — A single modern terminal handling all commercial and general aviation operations with check-in, security, and gate areas under one roof.
- Rental car agencies available on-site (Enterprise, Hertz, Avis)
- Taxi and rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) available curbside
- Pre-arranged shuttle services to downtown Columbia and University of Missouri
- Personal vehicle pickup via short-term and long-term parking lots
- Courtyard by Marriott Columbia
- Hilton Garden Inn Columbia
- Holiday Inn Express Columbia
- Graduate Columbia
- Hampton Inn Columbia
Inside the terminal, dining options are limited given the airport's compact size, with a small café serving basic meals, snacks, and beverages. Travelers are encouraged to explore Columbia's vibrant downtown restaurant scene, roughly 10 minutes away, which offers everything from local farm-to-table eateries to national chains.
- Arrive at least 90 minutes before departure as the single security checkpoint can back up during peak travel times.
- Rental cars are limited in availability — book well in advance, especially during University of Missouri home football weekends.
- Parking is affordable and close to the terminal, making drop-offs and pickups straightforward.
- Check flight connections carefully, as most routes operate through regional hubs like Chicago O'Hare or Dallas/Fort Worth.
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Columbia Regional Airport is a commercial passenger airport serving Columbia, Missouri. Located about 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Columbia in Boone County, Missouri, it is the only commercial airport in Mid-Missouri and also serves the state capital of Jefferson City. Commercial passenger service is provided by American Airlines subsidiary American Eagle and United Airlines via its regional airline contractor SkyWest branded as United Express. The airport opened in 1968, replacing the Columbia Municipal Airport off of Interstate 70. It is frequently used for charter flights by college athletic teams visiting the University of Missouri and for MU team flights.
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