COLUMBUS, OH – A new rental car center has opened at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, representing an improved experience for passengers, an estimated $140 million economic impact in the community, and another step toward opening a new terminal.
The new facility features a spacious and modern customer service lobby, and the first zero-emission battery-electric buses in operation in the state of Ohio.
“After years of careful planning, thoughtful design and skillful construction, we’re proud to offer a world-class experience for passengers with our new rental car center,” said Joseph R. Nardone, President & CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. “We’re grateful to our construction partners, rental car operators, and especially our amazing team at CRAA for leading this massive undertaking.”
The new process to rent and return cars will be fast and easy, with a color-coded wayfinding system guiding passengers to circulating shuttle buses. For local travelers, the relocation of operations from the terminal garage frees 40% or 1,700 spaces of garage parking.
The state-of-the-art facility creates greater efficiency for rental car companies with a 15-minute quick turnaround to clean, fuel and service vehicles. At 900,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest projects in airport history and the first multi-level fueling facility in Ohio.
The $134 million project resulted in an estimated 1,600 jobs (direct and indirect) and estimated $140 million economic impact in the region. The project is user-funded, paid for by customer facility charges.
The rental car center is one of many projects designed to enable development of a new terminal, which remains slated for a future phase of the airport’s master plan. A second-floor lobby addition to the rental car center could one day connect to the new terminal.
Tours of the rental car center and electric shuttle buses are available to media. Contact Sarah McQuaide, Manager of Communications & Marketing to arrange a visit.
About CRAA
The Columbus Regional Airport Authority connects Ohio with the world by managing and operating passenger-focused John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), cargo-focused Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK), and general aviation airport Bolton Field (TZR). CMH has been named one of the best airports for passenger experience, earning the 2020 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) award for North America. CMH is the first Columbus facility and one of the only airports in the world to achieve GBAC STAR accreditation, the cleaning industry’s gold standard for outbreak prevention, response and recovery. To discover how CRAA is helping travelers safely return to flying amid the COVID-19 pandemic, visit FlyColumbus.com/beyondready. Follow us on Facebook (CMH), Instagram (CMH), Twitter (CMH), Twitter (LCK), LinkedIn (CRAA) and LinkedIn (LCK).
Media Contact
Sarah McQuaide
Manager | Communications & Marketing
Columbus Regional Airport Authority
4600 International Gateway | Columbus, Ohio 43219
o 614.239.3400 | c 614.202.2299
media@columbusairports.com | ColumbusAirports.com | News Hub