Columbia Metropolitan Airport Guide
Columbia Metropolitan Airport sits in unincorporated Lexington County, southwest of Columbia and about 18 km from the state capital's downtown. It is the main commercial airport for the Midlands region of South Carolina and is run by the Richland-Lexington Airport District, a special purpose district governed by 12 commissioners.
The field opened in 1940 as Lexington County Airport. The current terminal opened on 30 May 1965 and was renovated in 1997. A terminal expansion and renovation costing $45 million has since been completed. Two runways serve the airport: runway 11/29 is 8,601 feet long and runway 5/23 is 8,001 feet. UPS also operates a hub on the field.
The airport handled 1,371,977 passengers in 2025, a record that edged past 2024's 1,362,374. American, Delta and United fly nonstop to hub airports, with American and United both serving Chicago. Allegiant added service in 2025 to Orlando/Sanford, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Newark. Spirit also started flights that year but left the market after filing for bankruptcy.
Services
5 of 6 availableCompare 12 listed options at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 1.4M passengers (2025)2 runwaysopened 1940
- Location
- 33.938, -81.123
- Operator
- Richland-Lexington Airport District
Terminals
1 terminalColumbia Metropolitan Airport has 1 passenger terminal — Main Terminal, handling domestic flights for around 4 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Main TerminalDomestic
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Allegiant Air
Nearby cities
3 citiesColumbia Metropolitan Airport is closest to West Columbia (10 km north), and also serves Cayce, Columbia and other nearby areas. With 3 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Columbia18 km northeast
- West Columbia10 km north
- Cayce12 km northeast
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the airport codes for Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
What are the airport codes for Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
Where is Columbia Metropolitan Airport located?
Where is Columbia Metropolitan Airport located?
What services are available at Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
What services are available at Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
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