Exciting New Hotel Coming to Columbia Metropolitan Airport!
Columbia is buzzing with anticipation as plans are underway for a brand new hotel right on the campus of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport! This hotel, set to be built at the bustling corner of Airport Boulevard and Aviation Way, will be a mere stroll away from the terminal, making it super convenient for travelers. Isn’t that fantastic?
More Than Just a Hotel
The plans for the hotel are part of a larger vision the airport has to improve its offerings and retain more passengers. Columbia has been feeling the heat from the larger airport in Charlotte, and _airport officials hope these additions will stop the trend of passengers choosing to fly from there instead._ Kim Crafton, the Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development at the airport, shared, “We are really focused on growth and expansion, and we’re also focused on how we do that.”
Before the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport was thriving, serving a whopping 1.3 million passengers in 2019, setting a record. And guess what? This year, projected numbers indicate they could hit 1.4 million passengers! Just imagine how much busier it could get by 2044, with forecasts suggesting it could easily exceed _2 million passengers_!
A Home Away from Home
So, what can we expect from this new hotel? Well, it’s set to have _four floors and 150 rooms_, designed with travelers in mind! The main goal is clear: it’ll cater especially to those early-morning and late-night flights, giving busy travelers a comfy place to rest. But that’s not all! There’s buzz about a _rooftop bar and restaurant_ that locals and travelers alike can enjoy, offering stunning views of the airfield. Mike Gula, the airport president, emphasized that, “Travelers can arrive the night before, enjoy a comfortable stay, and conveniently walk directly from the hotel into the terminal in the morning.” Sounds perfect, right?
Not Just Columbia – It’s a Trend!
Columbia isn’t alone in this movement. Airports across the country are realizing that connected hotels can enhance their appeal, as detailed in a recent article highlighting trends in airport design. In fact, between 2014 and 2019, _five new airport-connected hotels_ popped up in North America, emphasizing the growing competition among airports to upgrade passenger experiences. As the article pointed out, “The enhanced passenger experience is also becoming an increasingly important differentiator in an airport’s competitive position.”
More Upgrades on the Horizon
But wait, there’s more! Columbia Metropolitan Airport is also working diligently to improve its infrastructure by expanding security checkpoints from two to _four lanes_. This project aims to help manage the growing number of passengers more efficiently. Crafton noted, “While all of this growth and development won’t happen tomorrow, we are planning now for the future, because it’s coming and it’s inevitable.”
In a concerted effort to elevate the airport experience, which includes adding new gates to accommodate more flights, airport leaders have been collecting feedback from the community. About _2,000 locals_ have shared their ideas, and guess what? Charging stations and conference spaces are on the way to enhance convenience! Plus, there’s a sweet $3 million grant to build a solar panel-covered roof over the parking deck, which reflects the airport’s commitment to sustainability.
Enhancing the Surrounding Area
It’s not just the airport making big moves. The neighboring towns of Cayce and Springdale are working on beautifying Airport Boulevard. They’re introducing new landscaping, complete with trees and irrigation, to entice more businesses and visitors to the area. Cayce Mayor Elise Partin stated that such projects send a solid message to businesses looking to invest, declaring, “A flower is not just a flower. It’s actually sending a message that says, ‘Come do business here, come visit here, come have fun here.’”
Positive Changes Ahead
Crafton is hopeful that the addition of the new hotel will contribute positively to those efforts, especially if locals flock to the rooftop bar as a social hub. “I could definitely see it being a very positive thing for the progression and push toward improving that corridor,” she noted. The future is bright for Columbia, and we can’t wait to see how these projects transform the airport experience!
