Photos courtesy of Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport is growing right alongside the city of Columbus.
In 2015, the airport, with more than 30 nonstop destinations and 300 arrivals and departures each day, had its fourth best year for travel: 6.7 million passengers used its services.
The years 2007 and 2008 also saw high travel numbers, but were inflated with Skybus Airlines carrying 1 million passengers. Skybus, which used Port Columbus as its home base, closed shop in 2008.
“In some ways, 2015 feels like there was more sustainable growth,” says David Whitaker, vice president of business development and communications for Port Columbus. “We believe 2016 will be our second-best year.”
The influence of Columbus’ own growth as a city is not lost on Whitaker.
“We’re feeling really good about the trajectory,” he says. “It has a lot to do with the quality of the market. Columbus is doing well, so other entities are doing well. We’re economically strong as a whole.”
Eight airlines fly out of Port Columbus, with Frontier Airlines the latest to join in May. There used to be about 12.
“We’re still achieving near-record passenger numbers,” Whitaker says, adding the decrease in available airlines isn’t unique to Columbus. “The number of airlines nationwide has decreased. It’s just the state of the industry.”
Even as available airlines have decreased, Port Columbus continues to expand its nonstop options. Daily service to Oakland International Airport, close to the San Francisco Bay Area, started in August 2015 with Southwest Airlines.
“That service was instantly popular,” Whitaker says. “That’s the first service we’ve had to the Bay Area in recent years.”
Service to Dallas Love Field began in April 2015, and Southwest Airlines expanded its flights to Boston’s Logan International Airport and Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to once a day. Flights to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport jumped from two to three flights per day.
“We started with seven daily nonstop (flights), and today, we are up to more than 40 departures a day (at Port Columbus),” says Dan Landson, spokesman for Southwest Airlines. “The gross has been quite consistent with the demand we’ve seen in Columbus. It’s allowed us to add more (flights) for business and leisure.”
Seasonal flights to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic are offered through Vacation Express, and while this isn’t exactly a new service, Whitaker says it’s not been offered in recent years. It’s expected to continue through 2016.
There are also weekly and seasonal nonstop flights through Rickenbacker Inland Port, which sits in south Columbus near Lockbourne. Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport are the newest destinations as of 2015, and are offered through Allegiant Air.
There’s been a 6.8 percent increase in passenger activity, Whitaker says, with the airport attracting patrons from areas such as Dayton. Columbus residents sometimes choose other nearby airports, but 93 percent of Columbus travelers will book their flights from Port Columbus, Whitaker says.
“People are motivated to drive a greater distance for price reasons, primarily, and also service reasons, like nonstop versus a connecting flight,” Whitaker says.
Looking into the future, Whitaker says he’d like to see the airport offer flights to its largest unserved market: Seattle.
“It’s very important we secure service to Seattle as soon as possible,” Whitaker says, adding that Kansas City and Milwaukee are two other cities that will eventually need nonstop service to and from Columbus.
Hannah Bealer is an editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Port Columbus’ $80 million terminal renovation was completed March 23. The renovation connects the airport with the Columbus region in new and exciting ways.
“We’re working closely with Experience Columbus in terms of bringing representation of the region to the airport,” Whitaker says. “Ohio is known for its aviators. (We’re) highlighting some notable aviators with a display, like a museum. One of Port Columbus’ unique elements is its place in aviation history. It was commissioned in 1929 and is one of the oldest in the United States.”
San Francisco Travel
San Francisco Bay Area
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
What to see: The Treasure Island Flea, an open-air flea market, 1 Avenue of the Palms
Where to eat: Forbes Island, French cuisine served in an island lighthouse, 39 Piers
Dallas
Dallas Love Field (DAL)
What to see: The Bishop Arts District
Where to eat: The Grape Restaurant’s Sunday brunch, 2808 Greenville Ave.
Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Boston
Logan International Airport (BOS)
What to see: Go on a tour of the Samuel Adams brewery for a suggested $2 donation, 30 Germania St.
Where to eat: Eastern Standard, European and New England cuisine, 528 Commonwealth Ave.
Washington, D.C.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
What to see: News junkies will love the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave.
Where to eat: Ben’s Chili Bowl, chili, hamburgers and sandwiches, 1213 U St.
Atlanta
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
What to see: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s home, 501 Auburn Ave.
Where to eat: Gunshow, roving carts and communal tables, 924 Garrett St.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Punta Cana
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)
What to see: Go on the Marinarium Snorkeling Cruise, which includes an open bar and a professional guide, www.puntacanatravel.org
Where to eat: La Yola Restaurant, Mediterranean cuisine and seafood with a great view, Puntacana Resort and Club
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
What to see: Take a tour with Fort Lauderdale Ghost Tours, 600 E. Las Olas Blvd.
Where to eat: Mai Kai, Polynesian dishes and a dinner show, 3599 N. Federal Highway
Visit Savannah
Savannah
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
What to see: Bonaventure Cemetery, famous for its appearance in John Berendt’s 1994 novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and the 1997 film based on it, 330 Bonaventure Rd.
Where to eat: You won’t have to choose if you go on the Savannah Foody Tour, which offers a taste of classic Southern Comfort dishes and takes attendees through the city’s Historic District, www.savannahmovietours.com
New Orleans Visitors Convention Bureau
New Orleans
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
What to see: Travel off the beaten path – literally – with New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours, www.neworleanskayakswamptours.com
Where to eat: Breakfast food that’s perfect after a night out, Green Goddess serves up Creole tomatoes, spiced almonds and barbecue peaches, 307 Exchange Pl.
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