Our History
The history of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority is a story about two entities coming together to deliver superior aviation services for Central Ohio.
The Rickenbacker Port Authority was formed in 1979 to redevelop land the military released from the closure of the Rickenbacker Air Force Base and in 1990 took over the operations of the airport. The following year the operation of Port Columbus International Airport and Bolton Field Airport was transferred from the City of Columbus to the Columbus Airport Authority to provide greater latitude and more focused attention to the business of aviation.
In 2003 the Columbus Airport Authority and the Rickenbacker Port Authority were merged to create the Columbus Regional Airport Authority to provide for the strategic operation and development of Port Columbus, Rickenbacker and Bolton Field airports.
Port Columbus & Bolton Field Milestones
Since its opening in 1929, Port Columbus has been on the cutting edge of the air transportation industry. Follow our journey step by step, as we evolved from humble beginnings to become one of the premier airports in the Midwest.
1929
Port Columbus opens as a stop on the first transcontinental air/rail service from New York to the West coast.
1939
There were 14 flights from Port Columbus daily. Of these flights, ten were Transcontinental and Western Airline and four were American Airlines.
1940
In the war foreboding days of 1940, Port Columbus was one of only 31 non-military fields in the country (and the only one in Ohio) capable of handling the military aircraft of that time. In October Curtiss-Wright Corporation leased 83 acres of airport property on behalf of the government, producing planes that made the first attack on Rabual during World War II. About 6,000 aircraft were produced at this facility during the war.
1941
The Federal government took over operation of Port Columbus and the Civil Aeronautics Authority appropriated $1.5 million to make airport improvements, including lengthening the runways.
1942
The Federal government assumed operation of the Curtiss-Wright plant in May and established a Naval Air Facility at Port Columbus.
1944
Port Columbus shows a profit for the first time - $4,329.10.
1945
World War II ends.
1946
The U.S. Navy relinquished control of Port Columbus in March and Mayor James A. Rhodes formed a metropolitan airport commission headed by John P. Biehn with Francis A. “Jack” Bolton as Superintendent. Bolton, fresh out of the Navy, was the youngest, large-city airport manager in the country at the age of 26.
1950
The start of the Korean War led to North American Aviation leasing the former Curtiss-Wright plant at Port Columbus, employing 18,000.
1952
Larger airplanes are able to land at Port Columbus after the east-west runway, today known as the south runway, was extended from 4,500 to 8,000 feet with parallel taxiways.
1953
To be better positioned for future growth, the decision was made to move Port Columbus operations from the original Fifth Avenue terminal to a site more centrally located on airport property. In preparation for this move, construction began on a new 10-story control tower located in the middle of airport property. This control tower operated for 50 years until a new tower opened in 2004.
1954
The Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s thunderbirds performed at a July air show celebrating Port Columbus’ 25th anniversary
1958
An estimated 130,000 people attended celebration and dedication activities September 21 for Port Columbus’ $12 million upgrade including a new terminal building. At this time, Port Columbus ranked as the nation’s 16th busiest airport.
1961
Trans World Airlines inaugurated the first full jet service at Port Columbus in September utilizing Convair 880 aircraft.
1964
Beginning and ending her historic flight at Port Columbus, Bexley housewife Jerrie Mock completed in 29.5 days the first round-the-world solo flight by a woman on April 17.
1965
Following the establishment of a U.S. Customs facility, the airport became known as Port Columbus International Airport.
1970
Long-time Port Columbus Superintendent Francis “Jack” Bolton was honored posthumously October 24 when the City dedicated Bolton Field Airport in southwest Columbus. Bolton Field was constructed to handle general aviation, such as personal aircraft and business aviation, allowing Port Columbus to focus on commercial traffic.
1979
A $70 million airport face-lift made the old Port Columbus into a "model of passenger convenience." In its 50th year of operation, Port Columbus now had the capacity to land almost 250 flights every day, while passengers could deplane through fully enclosed "jetways" at every gate.
1989
17th Avenue was renamed International Gateway coinciding with the 60th Anniversary of Port Columbus International Airport. Later this same year a new, seven-gate $15.5 million concourse built by US Airways opened. This area is now commonly referred to as Concourse A.
1991
Operation of Port Columbus International Airport was transferred to the Columbus Airport Authority from the City of Columbus to provide greater latitude and more focused attention to the business of aviation.
1996
Concourse C opened at Port Columbus with four gates to be used by Delta and Southwest airlines.
1997
The $20 million North Runway extension from 6,000 feet to 8,000 feet was completed to increase the airport's capacity for aircraft operations.
2000
A new $92 million parking garage opened with an underground terminal entrance, new rental car facilities, dedicated ground transportation area, improved eight-lane terminal access on two levels and a new atrium and entrances for the terminal.
2003
In late 2002, the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Columbus Airport Authority approved the merger of the Columbus Airport Authority and Rickenbacker Port Authority, forming the new Columbus Regional Airport Authority effective January 1, 2003.
2004
A new state-of-the-art Airport Traffic Control Tower was dedicated shortly after directing its first aircraft on April 25 at 12 a.m. The new tower extends 21 stories and 195 feet above the ground, allowing for twice the work space as the old tower, as well as improved visibility and the latest in communications, computer and radar consoles. Also in 2004 Port Columbus celebrated its 75th year of operation.
2009
The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Airport Authority partnered to build the new I-670/International Gateway intersection designed to reduce traffic congestion and delays, improve access to the airport, and increase safety for drivers on Interstate 670.
Rickenbacker International Airport Milestones
The international logistics hub known as the Rickenbacker Inland Port is the result of a strategic initiative launched to redevelop the former Rickenbacker Air Force Base.
1941-1949
On December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army announced that a $7.5 million airbase would be built just east of the Village of Lockbourne. The Lockbourne Army Air Base opened in June 1942 as a glider and B-17 training facility.
After the war the base was used as a development and testing facility for all-weather military flight operations. The primary unit at the base was the all-Black 447th Composite Group, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen. This unit merged with the 477th Composite Group in 1947, becoming the 332nd Fighter wing, one of the first all-Black flying units in the newly created United States Air Force. In June 1949, the 332nd was reassigned, the base was deactivated and control transferred to the Ohio Air National Guard. For the next 18 months, the Air National Guard used the base for training.
1950 - 1959
With the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, the base was reactivated as Lockbourne Air Force Base in January 1951 and placed under the control of the Strategic Air Command. Throughout the 1950s, the Strategic Air Command used the base as a training facility and stationed aircraft on full-time alert duty for national defense.
1960 - 1969
The base population grew further during the Vietnam War years of 1964-72, reaching an all-time peak of more than 18,000 service people in 1967.
1970 - 1979
In 1974 the base was renamed Rickenbacker Air Force Base in honor of World War I flying ace and Congressional Medal of Honor winner Eddie Rickenbacker, a Columbus native.
With the cessation of hostilities in Vietnam and the ending of the military draft, the number of Armed Forces personnel declined sharply, resulting in downsizing and closures of military bases around the country. In April 1980, Rickenbacker Air Force Base closed and the facility was turned over to the Ohio Air National Guard and renamed Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.
In 1979 the Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted to establish the Rickenbacker Port Authority with the mission of receiving and redeveloping any land released for civilian use with the idea that the property would be a good site for an industrial site. They entered into a joint-use agreement with the Air Force to maintain the operation of the airfield.
1980 - 1990
The first development occurred at Rickenbacker in 1985 with the establishment of an air cargo hub and bulk sorting facility for the Flying Tigers. To encourage further development, Rickenbacker established Foreign-Trade Zone No. 138 in 1987. In October 1990, the Department of the Air Force transferred control of the airport to the Rickenbacker Airport Authority.
1991-2001
Throughout the 1990s Rickenbacker developed into an international logistics hub starting with Spiegel/Eddie Bauer and Siemens locating in the area in 1992. A few years later U.S. Customs relocated their offices to Rickenbacker.
2003
In late 2002, the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Columbus Airport Authority approved the merger of the Columbus Airport Authority and Rickenbacker Port Authority, forming the new Columbus Regional Airport Authority effective January 1, 2003.
2007
Rickenbacker International Airport celebrated 65 years of rich aviation history and hosted the Gathering of Mustangs & Legends, a once-in-a-lifetime aviation event that shared the history of the P-51 Mustang aircraft and honored the heroes of World War II. The four-day event attracted more than 150,000 guests from around the world and allowed the Columbus Regional Airport Authority to highlight the history of Rickenbacker, including the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen.
2008
The Columbus Regional Airport Authority collaborated with Norfolk Southern Corporation to build and open the Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal adjacent to Rickenbacker International Airport.
2010
The Heartland Corridor opened, thereby significantly increasing the speed of containerized freight moving in double-stack trains between the East Coast and the Midwest. The Heartland Corridor goes across Virginia, through southern West Virginia and north through the Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal to Chicago.
