The Columbia Metropolitan Airport

FOCUSED ON GROWTH AT A GLANCE THE COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN AIRPORT WHAT: The main commercial airport for Columbia and the Midlands region of South Carolina WHERE: Five miles southwest of Columbia, South Carolina WEBSITE: www.columbiaairport.com T he Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), located five miles southwest of Columbia, South Carolina in Lexington County, is the main commercial airport for Columbia and the Midlands region of the state. In the early 1940s, the facility was known as the Lexington CountyAirport, developed because Columbia had been identified in early postal airmail routes as a location for airlines then holding contracts with the Post Office Department and the Commerce Department. In 1941, the United States War Department acquired the Airport from Lexington County, renamed it the Columbia ArmyAir Base, and expanded it dramatically to serve the war effort. Run- ways, hangars, roads, buildings, and other facilities were added during the war to support the training activities of B-25 flight and bombardment functions. FollowingWorldWar II, the Airport was used briefly as a training facility for the U.S.Air Force Reserves. In 1949, the base was declared surplus to the needs of