John Glenn Columbus International Airport Guide

John Glenn Columbus International Airport sits 10 km east of downtown Columbus, Ohio. Originally opened in 1929 as Columbus Municipal Hangar — its site selected by Charles Lindbergh as the eastern terminus of the first transcontinental air-rail route — it was renamed in 2016 to honor astronaut and U.S. senator John Glenn. The airport is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also operates Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field.

The airport handles over 9 million passengers annually and offers nonstop service to more than 50 destinations. Twelve airlines operate from a single terminal divided into three concourses, each with its own TSA security checkpoint. The concourses are not connected airside, so passengers must re-clear security when changing between them.

A major expansion project, CMH Next, broke ground in 2024. The new terminal is designed to replace the existing facility by 2029, adding 36 gates across approximately 93,000 square metres of new space. The $1.6 billion project reflects sustained growth in passenger demand that has pushed volumes to record levels in recent years.