Representatives from Columbia Regional Airport updated the Jefferson City Airport Advisory Committee on its growth and terminal project Monday.
Columbia Regional Airport saw 175,860 passengers in 2017, an increase of 47,000 during 2016, according to the airport's enplanements and deplanements records. In 2007, it saw only 17,982 passengers.
Due to this dramatic growth, the airport is adding a second screening lane - opening in August - and a new terminal, with completion in late 2021 or early 2022, said Stacey Button, Columbia's director of economic development.
The city plans to build the new terminal to neighbor the current terminal. Originally, it selected a different site in the northwest portion of the airport's campus.
The new location will save the city $8 million-$10 million and push the timeline for completion about a year ahead, Button said.
The original site would require a new apron and traffic way, along with an environmental review. For the new terminal location, airport staff would use the current assets and it has already undergone environmental review, Button said, saving Columbia airport staff about a year of planning time.
The new terminal project ranges from $30 million-$32 million, Button said. The original project was estimated at nearly $40 million.
The terminal will be funded by the city's lodging tax, expected to bring in $10 million over 10 years, and $2.5 million from the Missouri Department of Transportation. Button said she hopes the Federal Aviation Administration will cover the remaining cost.
"It's a fun project," said Button, who also is president of Regional Economic Development Inc. in Columbia. "Passengers are starting to get excited."
Columbia Regional Airport staff also are considering additional carriers, routes and parking to accommodate growth.
The Columbia Regional Airport provides a total payroll of nearly $27 million and a total output - value of goods and services - of more than $87 million in 2012, Button said. She noted visitors flying in to Columbia Regional Airport may also become residents who then provide jobs and businesses, creating a cycle of economic growth.
"Growth (at the airport) has doubled, if not tripled since then," she said. "Airports move people, and people move the economy. This shows what the airport can do for the community and its development."
Jefferson City Memorial Airport saw 32,678 aircraft movements in 2017, making it the sixth-busiest airport in Missouri in terms of operations. Columbia Regional Airport saw 21,780 aircraft movements in 2017, ranking ninth-busiest in Missouri.