United Airlines begins flights out of Columbia Regional Airport
Jazsmin Halliburton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia Regional Airport and city leaders celebrated the long-awaited return of United Airlines Thursday afternoon.
At a press conference speakers highlighted the positive impact United’s expansion is expected to bring to Mid-Missouri. Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe was unable to attend, but Council Member, Nick Foster the city. Leaders from Jefferson City, the University of Missouri, Boone County, and United Airlines also spoke, with Governor Mike Kehoe closing out the event.
Thursday marked the first United flight from Columbia Regional Airport to Chicago-O’Hare. United will operate one daily flight to Denver and two daily flights to Chicago on upgraded planes.
“Certainly that’s what this new terminal represents not only the opportunities we have with our fantastic university in Columbia, but also with Jefferson City manufacturing, state government, and all the way to the lake. This is a great sign for how our region can grow. To United, thank you so much for investing back into us,” Kehoe said.
United Airlines said Thursday also marked the first time since the pandemic that Chicago has recorded 600 daily departures nationwide and Columbia now accounts for two of them.
Boone County Commissioner Kip Kendrick said the expansion will create jobs and economic growth.
“United expanded flights here will lead to more jobs,” Kendrick said. “They will lead to more business. It will improve the lives of current residents and will continue to grow our population for years to come.”
Passengers arriving on United’s first flight were greeted with refreshments and gift bags. Many travelers said the biggest benefit is saving time by flying out of Columbia rather than driving to St. Louis or Kansas City.
“I think it’s great. Very accessible for the university, and typically we had to fly into Kansas City or St. Louis. Now it’s much faster and more convenient. With direct flights to Denver, we plan on coming here far more often,” a member from the Nimber family said.
Local business owners and community members share the same excitement.
“I have already looked for flights for 2025 out of Columbia to Denver instead of St. Louis. It saves me the travel time on I-70, which is under construction right now. It’ll save me all that grief on the highway,” Adonica Coleman, Owner of COMO 411 said.
Fifth Ward Councilmember Don Waterman agreed, saying, “It’s always good to have more options.”
Demand is already high. The governor jokingly admitting he couldn’t get a seat.
“The Chicago flights are great. The Denver flights, they’re already booked. I tried to get on one the other day, but they were booked both ways,” Kehoe said.
MU Chief Financial Officer Ryan Rapp even joked with United’s Sam Levy that one flight from Denver isn’t enough. For now, Columbia is taking what it can get.
United Airlines flights to Denver will resume for the first time in four years, following a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced travelers. According to Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Denver was one of Columbia’s most underserved business markets.
A 2025 community summit report from the city found Denver was the top choice for a new direct flight from Columbia Regional Airport. Denver received 28 of the 89 total votes, leading a list of destinations that included New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Orlando, Houston and Washington D.C.
In November, Columbia received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to resume flight service to Denver.
Starting in December, United will add another connection to Chicago bringing the total to three daily flights.