Q & A

A. Short Term Parking Rates: Maximum of $8.00 daily. Long Term Parking Rates: Maximum of $7.00 daily.

A. Yes. However, you may only stay at the terminal curb for the time it actually takes you to load/unload your passenger(s) and their bags from the vehicle.

A. Passengers should check-in at the terminal ticket counters. A boarding pass or an e-ticket receipt is required to pass through security screening. Many airlines now offer electronic check-in options where passengers may print their boarding pass at home and skip the ticket counter altogether. Visit your airline's website for details. Columbus also has two self-service kiosks for those travelers who do not need assistance from airline personnel in order to obtain the necessary boarding passes.

A. Please see TSA's list of Prohibited Items at www.tsa.gov/travelers

Passengers are encouraged to pack their carry-on bag with only items they need immediate access to upon arriving at their destination. Again, check the TSA website for Traveler Tips for the most up-to-date list.

A. The airlines allow one (1) carry-on bag, in addition to a briefcase, purse, laptop, or diaper bag. This is subject to change by each air carrier, therefore you should check with the carrier you are using for current information.

A. Electronic items are allowed through security and will be thoroughly inspected by security personnel. You should remove your laptop from its case and place it in a bin at the checkpoint. All other electronic items should be placed in your carry-on bag.

A. Only ticketed passengers with a boarding pass are allowed through the security screening checkpoint. If you have a medical, parental, or other specific, verifiable need to accompany a ticketed passenger, please check with your airline to determine how they would like you to proceed.

A. If a situation involves an airline's fares, service, schedules or personnel, you should contact the appropriate airline. Contact www.Delta.com or www.AA.com for help.

If a situation involves parking, Airport facilities, Airport services or Airport personnel, you should initially contact Public Safety at 706.323.4041.

A. There are many ways to book tickets for a flight. One of the easiest ways is to contact a travel agent. You can also book directly with an airline through their website or by calling their 1-800 reservations line or through a national ticket booking engine.

A. Be flexible and book as early as possible to find the best fares. Airlines often offer sales on off-peak days like Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Travel agents can help you find good fares and simplify the booking process. You may also want to shop for fares through online travel sites like Travelocity or Orbitz. When booking online, make sure you check a variety of times and days to find the best possible fare. Airlines frequently offer discounts and special fares only available on their websites. Also read the fine print before purchasing. Most of the deeply discounted fares are very restricted and non-refundable.

A. Columbus Airport would welcome other carriers; however the airline industry is going through the same economic downturn as individuals. The Columbus flying market is huge and meets the companies' requirements for population and travel demand. However, they cannot take their aircraft from other cities at this time. But we will continue to solicit carriers to serve our local travelers.

The Columbus Airport does not set fares, the airlines do. Airline pricing and revenue staff use complicated computerized yield management systems to adjust fares and restrictions to gain the maximum revenue in a market. In an effort to encourage competitive fares, the Airport staff works diligently with the airlines to help keep fares balanced. When the Airport discovers a non-competitive fare, an airline representative is made aware of the situation.

Columbus is seeing more competitive seats out of the Airport. However, because only a percentage of the seats per flight are offered at a reduced rate, these fares can be sold quickly. An airport with enough passengers to support larger aircraft will have a greater number of seats to sell at a reduced rate.

Airlines set fares based on competition and demand.

Landing fees at Columbus have little to do with ticket prices. While airlines always consider costs of operating at an airport, the number one reason a carrier serves a city is passenger demand.

Columbus Airport would gladly welcome Southwest Airlines, but it is highly unlikely Southwest will serve Columbus in the near future. The Airport has approached Southwest Airlines and was told that this market does not currently meet the low-fare airline's requirements for population and travel demand.

Southwest concentrates on markets that are densely populated or have extremely high demand for travel to specific destinations. The company receives more than 150 proposals annually and generally adds only one or two cities to their route system each year.

Southwest's business model requires they have sufficient demand to support 5 - 7 round trip flights a day aboard a Boeing 737 aircraft seating between 122 and 137 people to at least two destinations.

Airport leaders are always working with airlines to improve service. As the Columbus market changes or airline business plans alter, potential partners emerge. The Airport will continue seeking new airlines and more destinations.