News & Media

The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE hereafter) has been selected by the Department of Defense (DoD hereafter) as an industry partner in their nationally recognized and noteworthy program, SkillBridge. The DOD SkillBridge program pairs Servicemen and women with companies and organizations in various industries for internship opportunities and further civilian training.

The program is an opportunity for those with six months or less of active duty service remaining and have an approved separation date under honorable conditions. Currently, there are more than 250 industry partners participating in the program, including Home Depot, Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

“Opening the doors of CAE and welcoming in members of the military after they’ve served our country is a special privilege,” said CAE Executive Director, Mike Gula. “So far, two participants have successfully completed the SkillBridge program at CAE. This mutually beneficial program is one CAE is proud to support.”

CAE is the only airport in South Carolina currently participating in the SkillBridge program.

SkillBridge Spotlight from CAE:

Chris Davis was a participant of the SkillBridge program at CAE beginning in the summer of 2021. Davis started in CAE’s Operations Department as an intern, learning the day-to-day routine, logistics and inspection protocol of airport operations. After sharing with the airport he had a Masters in Human Resources, Davis did double duty, supporting both the Operations and Human Resources teams at CAE.

Toward the end of Davis’s time as an intern with the SkillBridge training program, there was coincidently a retirement of a longtime member of CAE’s Human Resources team. Davis applied for the Human Resources manager position and the rest is history.

“I was fortunate to be able to take advantage of the Department of Defense SkillBridge program prior to my military retirement,” said Chris Davis, Human Resource Manager for CAE. “This program provided me an invaluable opportunity to transition from a uniformed Senior Noncommissioned Officer overseeing six military airfields from a strategic standpoint, to wearing slacks and a collared shirt navigating my way through life in a civilian labor force. On my first day at CAE I had no idea it would turn into this full-time opportunity and I’m so grateful for this program and CAE. SkillBridge is definitely a win-win for all involved”.             

Two new SkillBridge program participants are starting their internships this week at CAE, working in the Engineering Department and on the Human Resources team.

For more information about the SkillBridge program at CAE please email info@flycae.com. 

The COVID-19 testing site currently being hosted at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE hereafter), in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC hereafter), will discontinue testing services at CAE on Friday, March 11th.

Testing services will be available throughout the day on Friday, March 11th until 6 p.m.

The closure of this testing site, one of many being closed across the state, comes as SCDHEC has decided to shift away from public testing.

“The testing site at CAE was one of the more popular locations offering free COVID-19 testing and we were grateful to SCDHEC, as well as the Rapid Reliable Testing team, for the partnership,” said CAE Executive Director, Mike Gula. “Providing this needed resource to our community and traveling public was a significant opportunity and we were happy to host the site here at the airport.”

The free testing site at CAE opened in the Cellphone Lot at CAE in October of 2021 and has been operating seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. The testing site offered both nasal and saliva based PCR tests and, on average, returned results within 24 – 48 hours.

For information regarding current COVID-19 guidelines while traveling through CAE, please visit: www.flycae.com

Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE hereafter) is excited to announce the four local artists that have been selected to participate in the 2022 – 2023 Art in the Airport program. The selected artists, an all-female slate, represent some of the outstanding talent and creativity found throughout the region.

The four artists selected to exhibit their artwork in the airport for the upcoming season include:

Emily Ward (March 2022 – May 2022)
Marie Boyd (June 2022 – August 2022)
Cait Maloney (September 2022 – November 2022)
Laura Rohlfing (December 2022 – February 2023)

About the Artists:
Emily Ward is an artist from Columbia, S.C. and has had a passion for all things art related since kindergarten. Ward’s love for art continued in college and into graduate school where she earned a BA in Art History from the College of Charleston. Ward enjoys painting places and things that bring her joy – and the South Carolina low country has been a reoccurring subject for her many landscape paintings.

Marie Boyd is a writer, illustrator, artist, educator and scholar. She creates quilled illustrations and art from colorful pieces of paper that she collects, cuts into narrow strips and designs modern, bold, bright images that leap off the page. In addition to being an artist, Boyd is an associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law. She is originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, and now lives in Columbia, S.C. with her husband and two young children.

Cait Maloney is a published illustrator, award-winning graphic designer, muralists and exhibition artist. In 2008, she earned her bachelor’s degree with a focus in illustration from Syracuse University. Maloney says that her recipe for her work is, “… a mix of a little real, a little surreal, a good helping of humor and a lot of color.”

Laura Rohlfing hails from Leesville, S.C. but spends several months out of the year traveling and exploring with her wife to new places. A graduate of the Harris School of Art in the early 80s, she focused her time there studying oil painting. She now prefers graphite and loves shades of gray and the effects of shadows and light on pictures.

Throughout the year, this wildly popular program showcases the work of four artists’ from across Columbia region in the busiest part of the airport.

The Art in the Airport program not only enhances the passengers’ experience while traveling through CAE, it creates an immediate sense of place to those visiting. Once a traveler lands, these pieces of art are the first creative and cultural touchpoints they have to the region.

Would you like your artwork to be considered for this prestigious program? Below are details on how artists can submit work and guidelines associated with the program.

Submission Requirements:

To apply for CAE’s Art in the Airport program, please email the following information to submissions@flycae.com by January 28, 2022 at 5 p.m.

• Name, address, phone, email, website (if applicable)
• Artist bio
• Artist Statement
• At least five images representing the type of artwork anticipated to be shown
• *Note: Artists must reside in one of the following Midlands counties: Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, Sumter, Lee, Clarendon, Newberry, and Aiken.

Exhibit Requirements:

The exhibition location will be in the connector of the terminal, the walkway between the security checkpoint and the departure/arrival gates. Selected exhibits must contain a minimum of twelve pieces as there are twelve wall columns in the location, six on each side of the walkway. (Multiple images/clustered pieces of work can be arranged on one column if desired/space allows).

CAE will provide labels for each piece in the exhibit to include artists’ name, contact information and the title, dimensions, type of medium and selling price of the piece. CAE will also provide signage for the exhibit to include the artist’s bio and/or statement.

Exhibitions must be physically suited to the space, allowing for uninterrupted traffic flow. If selected, artists agree to suitably frame, wire and install their artwork at their own expense. Artists must be willing to sign CAE’s Artwork Loan and Hold Harmless Agreement.

Artists are welcome to preview the exhibit location by contacting Kim Jamieson Crafton, Director of Marketing and Air Service Development, a K.Crafton@flycae.com as a staff escort is required to access the location.

Insurance:

Art displayed at CAE is insured by the Columbia Metropolitan Airport while on site; however, the transportation to and from the airport is not covered. Prior to installation, the artist will provide CAE with a description of the exhibit pieces to include the title and value of each piece.

Selection Process:

Submissions will be reviewed by CAE’s selection committee. Artists selected for the rotating art exhibit will be notified February 7^th with a public announcement on February 8^th.

Things to Know:

CAE does not charge artists to exhibit their work, but will require a 5% commission on pieces sold. This commission will be reinvested into the CAE Art in the Airport program – enhancing display opportunities and required signage. Any and all art transactions must be conducted between CAE, the artist and the purchaser.

Beginning Friday, October 1^st, 2021, Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE hereafter) will be implementing a new pricing structure for all on-site parking options– including the surface lot, the garage, Fast Lane and the Premier parking lot. (Valet parking is offline due to COVID-19 staffing challenges, but has plans to return at a later date). These needed daily maximum changes will support the ongoing projects taking place throughout the terminal and the garage – ultimately enhancing the traveler’s overall experience.

“Parking rates, or daily maximums, at CAE have not changed since 2004,” said Mike Gula, Executive Director of CAE. “While we try to avoid rate increases that impact the traveler, we want the community to know that we’re reinvesting much of this revenue back into making this airport as effective and efficient as possible.” 

As of October 1^st, the new parking daily maximums at CAE will be:

Surface Parking

• First ½ hour – FREE (This is an increase in grace time for those picking up or dropping off passengers)
• Each additional ½ hour – $1.00
• Daily Rate – $10.00

Garage Parking

• Each ½ hour – $2.00
• Daily Rate – $14.00

Fast Lane (Accessed with issued pass)

• $10.00 – Surface parking
• $14.00 – Garage parking

*Customers are able to utilize either lot and still take advantage of a touchless exit. 

Premier Parking (Accessed with issued pass)

• The Premier parking lot is a parking option designed for the frequent flyer. The limited-access lot offers flat-rate parking right outside the airport terminal. This application based option is $1,000 per year. 

Handicap Parking

• 1^st day free (Subsequent days will be charged at the regular rate depending on lot location)

CAE’s new pricing structure for the garage parking remains the most cost effective parking option among other statewide airports.

CAE Updates and Enhancements

Some of the enhancements CAE has already implemented that travelers have found helpful include the parking guidance system in the covered garage and the online pre-book parking capabilities.

The parking guidance system was installed in the summer of 2020 and allows for travelers to find open parking spots quickly with the assistance of red and green LED lights above each spot indicating which are taken, and which are available.

Launched in late 2020, CAE patrons can now pre-book and save on the spot. CAE’s online parking system allows travelers the option to pre-book parking in either the surface or covered garage lots and save on regular parking rates for extended stays.

Finally, also in 2020, CAE resurfaced the surface parking lot, updated signage and increased lighting throughout the parking lot.

For more information about the updated parking rates and online parking offerings at CAE, please visit: https://flycae.com/airport/parking/. 

Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), in partnership with South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), RRT and Extraordinary Headhunters, LLC., today announced that beginning Monday, August 30, 2021 CAE will host a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site.

“Providing this needed resource for travelers, staff and locals is imperative to ensure continued safety and awareness as we as a community work together to combat COVID-19,” said Mike Gula, Executive Director of CAE.

For anyone considering utilizing this location, CAE wants to ensure individuals are aware of the following information:

• The COVID-19 testing site will be located in CAE’s cellphone parking lot, which is located just past the main entrance sign on the right before you get to the main terminal.
• All tests are free to the general public. Individuals do not have to be flying out to receive a COVID-19 test.
• To start, the COVID-19 testing site at CAE will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. seven days a week. Adjustments may be made considering overall demand.
• The tests administered will be the Real Time (RT) PCR test as approved by SCDHEC. Results will take roughly 24 hours.

As of right now, the drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at CAE will run through fall 2021.

About the Columbia Metropolitan Airport: (Until further notice, flight schedules subject to change and adjust due to COVID-19). Now providing nonstop service to 12 major airports in 11 destinations including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York City (LGA), Philadelphia, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Washington, D.C. (Dulles and Reagan National). Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), a Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accredited facility, continues to be a major economic driver for the Midlands region. Welcoming over 1.3 million passengers in 2019, CAE is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Silver Airways and United Airlines and is a regional cargo hub for UPS and is also served by FedEx. For more information, please visit www.flycae.com.

The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is reporting higher than projected numbers at the midway point in the 2021 calendar year.

“The rate at which passengers have returned to air travel this year has been more than we initially projected in late 2020,” said CAE Executive Director, Mike Gula. “We’re pleased to see the consistent increase in passenger traffic through the airport and thank the community for their continued support in utilizing CAE.”

So far this year, CAE has seen more passengers each month than the previous month. Total passenger counts for each month in 2021 are:

• January – 37,007
• February – 37,244
• March – 56,401
• April – 60,203
• May – 73, 013
• June – 83,289
• Note: July numbers are not yet available

The total passenger traffic for CAE YTD is 347,157. (This number includes January – June 2021).

To compare, in June 2020, 28,925 total passengers traveled through CAE, while June 2021 had 83,289. This is a monthly increase of 187.95% in passenger traffic and places CAE 12.13% above where it was this time last year.

In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement declaring that fully vaccinated Americans could travel within the United State without pre or post testing. Since this announcement, CAE has seen a significant spike in individuals opting to fly to their desired destinations.

With the surge in passenger traffic, CAE has also seen most of their paused routes return to their regular schedules and frequencies.

“With the exception of our nonstop service to LGA on both Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, all of our routes have resumed,” said Kim Jamieson, Director of Marketing and Air Service Development. “In December of 2020 we successfully added our newest Low Cost Carrier, Silver Airways that currently has service to Tampa and Orlando, Florida with service to Fort Lauderdale returning in late August.” As a reminder, masks are still required in the airport – for those traveling and for those individuals dropping off or picking up passengers. This federal mandate is in place until September 13, 2021 or until further notice.

Ahead of the holiday weekend and as summer break is officially here, the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE hereafter) is sharing useful air travel tips to ensure
passengers are prepared and ready for their next flight.

“Since April 2021 when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement that
fully vaccinated Americans could travel within the United States without pre or post testing, we have seen a significant increase in passenger traffic month over month,” said Kim Jamieson, Director of Marketing & Air Service Development for CAE.

In May of 2020, CAE saw roughly 15,400 passengers through the airport, compared to May of 2021, when CAE saw roughly 72,800 passengers. From a nationwide perspective, it was reported on TSA.gov that 2,066,964 travelers went through TSA security checkpoints on June 28, 2021. This data shows that travel is certainly back!

CAE is grateful to the Columbia, SC community for utilizing CAE and encourages passengers to continue to Fly Local and use their hometown airport.

For those returning to air travel, CAE wants to share a few travel tips to prepare you for an easy experience:

• Don’t forget your mask! This federal mandate is in place until September 13, 2021 or until further notice. This mandate applies for inside the terminal (for those flying and those who are picking up passengers) and while onboard any aircraft that service CAE.
• Check the status of your flight often on your airline’s app or CAE’s website (https://flycae.com/flight-information/) before coming to the airport.
• Arrive two hours before your flight to ensure you’re waiting at the gate, and not in the TSA security line.
• Consider signing up for TSA Pre-Check. This five-year membership is acquired through an application process and allows you to keep shoes on, laptops in your bag, belts and jackets on and ensures an expedited security screening process.
• Pre-book your parking and save on your spot! Convenient and easy pre-book parking option now available at CAE. (https://flycae.com/airport/parking).
• Follow CAE on social media as travel details and updates are often shared on these channels: Instagram (@flycae), Twitter (@iFlyCAE), Facebook (Columbia Metropolitan Airport CAE) and LinkedIn (Columbia Metropolitan Airport).
• Expect things to look differently if you haven’t flown in some time, but know that we’re here to help you Fly with Ease!

“CAE’s main priority has always been the its passengers,” said Jamieson. “We look forward to helping make the community’s air travel as easy as possible.”

COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 21, 2021) – Beginning Saturday, June 5, 2021, American Airlines will resume nonstop service to Miami, Fla. (MIA) from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Service will operate one time a week, with the possibility of a schedule expansion later this summer. The nonstop service will depart from CAE at 6:50 a.m. and arrive into MIA at 8:37 a.m.

The route returns served by a new aircraft, ERJ-175 – which includes 12 first class seats and 70 cabin seats. Previously, this same route was served by an ERJ-145 – which had no first class seats and 50 cabin seats.

“We are one route away from our pre-pandemic schedule and we couldn’t be happier,” said Air Service Development Director for CAE, Kim Jamieson. “We’ve seen higher than projected passenger numbers over the last few months, with more leisure travel taking place, and welcome the business. We look forward to the business community also returning to air travel, hopefully in the coming months.”

Currently, CAE offers nonstop service to 11 destinations and 11 airports:

• Miami, Fla. (American Airlines)
• Philadelphia, Pa. (American Airlines)
• Washington, D.C./Reagan National (American Airlines)
• Charlotte, N.C. (American Airlines)
• Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas (American Airlines)
• Atlanta, Ga. (Delta Air Lines)
• Chicago, Ill. (United Airlines)
• Washington, D.C./Dulles (United Airlines)
• Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Silver Airways)
• Orlando, Fla. (Silver Airways)
• Tampa, Fla. (Silver Airways)

Nonstop service to New York City, N.Y. (LGA) still remains offline at this time due to COVID-19. “As we regain air service, we encourage the local community and the business community to return to air travel as soon as they feel comfortable,” said Executive Director of CAE, Mike Gula. “We are hopeful that as more and more individuals get vaccinated, air travel will continue to strengthen as a result.”

Beginning tomorrow (March 5, 2021), American Airlines will resume
nonstop service to Philadelphia, Pa. (PHL) and Washington, D.C. /Reagan National (DCA) from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Service will operate daily to PHL and four days a week to DCA.

“Slowly but surely we are seeing our airline partners bring routes back online after removing them due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden halt in air travel,” said Air Service Development Director for CAE, Kim Jamieson. “These routes are crucial to our air service offerings for the local community and we’re excited to see them return to pre-pandemic status.”

In addition to these two routes coming back online, last month United Airlines resumed its daily, nonstop service to Chicago, Ill.

Currently, CAE offers nonstop service to 9 destinations and 10 airports:

• *Philadelphia, Pa. (American Airlines)
• *Washington, D.C./Reagan National (American Airlines)
• Atlanta, Ga. (Delta Air Lines)
• Charlotte, N.C. (American Airlines)
• Chicago, Ill. (United Airlines)
• Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas (American Airlines)
• Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Silver Airways)
• Orlando, Fla. (Silver Airways)
• Tampa, Fla. (Silver Airways)
• Washington, D.C./Dulles (United Airlines)
  *Service resuming March 5, 2021.

Nonstop service to New York City, N.Y. (LGA) and Miami, Fla. (MIA) are still offline at this time.

“As we regain air service, we encourage the local community and the business community to return to air travel as soon as they feel comfortable,” said Executive Director of CAE, Mike Gula. “We are hopeful that as more and more individuals get vaccinated, air travel will strengthen as a result.”

About the Columbia Metropolitan Airport: (Until further notice, flight schedules subject to change and adjust due to COVID-19). Now providing nonstop service to 12 major airports in 11 destinations including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York City (LGA), Philadelphia, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Washington, D.C. (Dulles and Reagan National). Columbia Metropolitan Airport
(CAE), a Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accredited facility, continues to be a major economic driver for the Midlands region. Welcoming over 1.3 million passengers in 2019, CAE is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Silver Airways and United Airlines and is a regional cargo hub for UPS and is also served by FedEx. For more information, please visit www.flycae.com.