Rickenbacker International Airport
Columbus, United States
Rickenbacker International Airport
Former Air Force base turned international cargo and charter hub.
- ›Named after World War I ace and Columbus native Eddie Rickenbacker.
- ›Originally opened as Lockbourne Army Air Base in 1942.
- ›Features runways over 12,000 feet long, a legacy of its military past.
- ›Home to the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing.
- ›Designated as a Foreign Trade Zone, attracting logistics and distribution businesses.
Rickenbacker International Airport, named after World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker, is a former U.S. Air Force base located on the southeast side of Columbus, Ohio. The airport transitioned to civilian use and has grown into a significant cargo and freight hub serving the broader Midwest region. While passenger operations are limited, its uncongested runways and strategic location make it a preferred gateway for charter and seasonal leisure flights.
- Passenger Terminal — A small, streamlined terminal handling seasonal charter and leisure flights with basic passenger amenities.
- Cargo Facilities — Extensive freight and logistics infrastructure supporting major cargo carriers including UPS and other freight operators.
- Taxi and rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) available curbside
- Rental car agencies on-site and nearby
- Private shuttle services to downtown Columbus
- Personal vehicle with ample free parking on airport grounds
- Comfort Suites Rickenbacker
- Holiday Inn Express Columbus South
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus
- Hampton Inn Columbus South
Dining options inside the passenger terminal are minimal given the airport's limited commercial flight schedule, so travelers are advised to eat before arriving. The surrounding southeast Columbus area offers a range of casual dining chains and local restaurants within a short drive. Food trucks and nearby fast-food options along Alum Creek Drive provide convenient alternatives.
- Confirm your flight is departing from Rickenbacker (LCK) and not Columbus's main airport, John Glenn (CMH), as both serve the city.
- Parking is spacious and generally less expensive than at larger commercial airports nearby.
- Arrive early for charter flights as staffing and check-in procedures may differ from standard commercial operations.
- The airport is approximately 15 miles southeast of downtown Columbus; plan for 20–30 minutes of drive time depending on traffic.
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Rickenbacker International Airport is a civil-military public airport 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Columbus, near Lockbourne in southern Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The south end of the airport extends into Pickaway County. The base was named for flying ace and Columbus native Eddie Rickenbacker. It is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also operates John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Bolton Field. Rickenbacker International is primarily a cargo airport for the city of Columbus, although since 2012 it has served an increasing number of passenger flights primarily by Allegiant Airlines as well as charter carriers.
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