Published on March 18, 2026
By: Paramita Sarkar
The Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) confirmed nine new nonstop routes for 2026. John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) and Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) now serve Los Angeles, Montreal, Austin, Fort Lauderdale, Panama City Beach, Greenville-Spartanburg, Savannah, Tampa, and Key West. This pushes the total nonstop destination count past 55. That is the highest number in the airports’ combined history. The expansion runs from March through July 2026.

Record Demand

Columbus airports recorded 9.36 million passengers in 2025. That figure surpassed the previous record of 9.25 million set one year earlier. Total flights grew 7.1% year over year. John Glenn International ranked fifth nationally for flight growth among the 50 busiest U.S. airports. That surging demand directly triggered the nine-route 2026 expansion. Columbus airports have never served more destinations than they do today.

Nine New Routes

Nine nonstop destinations launched at Columbus airports in 2026. United Airlines, Delta, Air Canada, Breeze, Frontier, Southwest, and Allegiant all participate. CMH handles eight of the nine new routes. Rickenbacker International adds one new nonstop destination. Together, both airports now surpass 55 nonstop destinations.

2026 New Nonstop Routes — CMH & LCK

LA Route Lands

United Airlines launches daily nonstop service to Los Angeles on March 29, 2026. Los Angeles is one of America’s largest and most competitive aviation markets. This route gives Columbus travelers access to all United hubs across the United States. It directly connects Ohio to California’s technology and entertainment economy. Furthermore, the Los Angeles route is the most commercially significant addition in the 2026 CMH expansion. Columbus travelers no longer need a connecting flight on any United itinerary.​

Austin Connects

Advertisement

Delta Air Lines begins daily nonstop service to Austin, Texas on June 7, 2026. SkyWest Airlines, a Delta Connection partner, will operate the flights. Austin consistently ranks among the fastest-growing technology corridors in North America. Therefore, direct access to Austin strengthens Columbus’s standing as a business destination. Additionally, this route supports talent recruitment and corporate expansion in central Ohio. Companies in both cities can now travel nonstop without a single connection.

Canada Gateway

Air Canada launches daily nonstop flights from CMH to Montreal, Canada on May 1, 2026. Montreal functions as a primary gateway within Air Canada’s transatlantic network. Consequently, Columbus travelers gain indirect access to dozens of European destinations. This makes the Montreal route far more impactful than its frequency alone suggests. It is also the only new international nonstop route in the entire 2026 CMH expansion.

Florida Surge

Advertisement
Advertisement
Frontier Airlines adds three-times-weekly seasonal service to Fort Lauderdale, Florida from March 8, 2026. Southwest Airlines brought Panama City Beach, Florida online for the spring travel season. Breeze Airways then adds three further routes to the CMH network. Savannah, Georgia launches on July 1. Tampa, Florida follows on July 3. Each Breeze route operates twice weekly throughout the summer season. Moreover, Tampa carries especially high leisure demand among Columbus-area Florida travelers.​

Rickenbacker Rises

Allegiant Air launches nonstop service from Rickenbacker International to Key West, Florida on May 21, 2026. Flights operate twice weekly, targeting Ohio’s value-conscious leisure travelers. Key West is among Florida’s most sought-after destinations for Midwest vacationers. This route fills a direct demand gap that previously required a layover. Rickenbacker’s focus on low-cost leisure routes continues to attract major U.S. carriers.

Breeze Milestone

Advertisement
Advertisement
The Greenville-Spartanburg route marks Breeze Airways’ tenth nonstop route from Columbus. Breeze has expanded faster at CMH than almost any other carrier in recent years. Each new Breeze route targets underserved, point-to-point leisure and business markets. This growth model suits Columbus’s diverse traveler base particularly well.​

$2B Terminal

The CMH NEXT project is a $2 billion new terminal at John Glenn Columbus International. Construction began in early 2025. The project targets a 2029 opening. The new terminal will accommodate up to 13 million annual passengers. It will feature 36 gates — seven more than today’s terminal. Two gates will include full international customs facilities. A modernized TSA checkpoint will operate 12 lanes simultaneously. A new 5,000-space parking garage will connect directly to the terminal. Importantly, zero new taxes fund this construction. Airline fees, federal grants, and airport revenues cover all project costs.

Economic Stakes

The CRAA and Columbus Partnership identify air connectivity as a top economic priority. Direct daily flights to Los Angeles and Austin reduce friction for corporate travel. Companies evaluating Columbus for expansion can now arrive nonstop from major innovation hubs. Furthermore, talent recruitment improves when candidates can reach the city directly. The 2026 Columbus airport expansion delivers economic value far beyond passenger convenience.​

Route 66 Boost

The 2026 expansion coincides with the 100th Anniversary of Route 66. This centennial milestone is expected to drive record domestic tourism nationwide. Columbus occupies a strategically central position within this tourism corridor. New Florida and Southeast nonstop routes capture both inbound and outbound summer demand. Consequently, summer 2026 passenger volumes at CMH and LCK are forecast to climb sharply.

REAL ID Alert

All travelers departing from CMH and LCK must carry REAL ID-compliant identification in 2026. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security enforces this requirement for all domestic air travel. A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state ID, or valid U.S. passport are each acceptable. Passengers without compliant identification face boarding denial at all U.S. airports. Travelers are strongly advised to verify their ID status before arriving at the airport.​

The Bottom Line

Los Angeles, Montreal, Austin, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Key West, Savannah, Panama City Beach, and Greenville-Spartanburg now all connect directly to Columbus. Nine new nonstop routes push the total count past 55 — a record never reached before. The $2 billion CMH NEXT terminal ensures that Columbus builds the infrastructure to sustain every route it wins. Columbus is no longer a regional airport story. It is a national aviation growth story — and 2026 is only the beginning.
Image: Columbus Airport

Advertisement
Original article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/
Tags: CMH 2026, CMH new routes, CMH NEXT terminal $2 billion, CMH nonstop flights 2026, Columbus 55 destinations record

I want to receive travel news and trade event updates from Travel And Tour World. I have read Travel And Tour World's Privacy Notice .
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Tuesday, March 17, 2026

source