The Columbia Regional Airport is adding a second daily flight to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
The Columbia City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to amend its agreement with American Airlines to add an additional daily flight to Chicago.
City Manager Mike Matthes said he expects the early morning flight to benefit businesspeople in Columbia.
“It gives, especially businesses, a great opportunity, finally, going north to have a business meeting, turn around and get back the same day,” Matthes said.
Mayor Bob McDavid said the additional flight to Chicago resulted from an agreement between the City of Columbia, the University of Missouri, Boone County, Jefferson City, Cole County and private investors. He said there is untapped demand for Columbia Regional Airport.
“This flight, I think, will prove to be the most popular flight because for the whole eastern seaboard, the northeast, this is how you’re going to get there if you want to fly out of Columbia,” McDavid said.
The Columbia Regional Airport added a daily flight to Chicago and two daily flights to Dallas in February.
Currently, Columbia’s airport offers a daily flight at 2:10 p.m. that departs to Chicago.
The second daily flight to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport begins this April.