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Columbus Airport CEO Navigates New Terminal, TSA Woes, and Potential Europe Flight
Daren Griffin discusses the $2 billion terminal project, oil price impacts, and efforts to bring nonstop service to Europe.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:03am
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Daren Griffin, the new president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, is taking over at a pivotal moment for air travel in central Ohio. With a $2 billion terminal project underway and ongoing TSA staffing issues due to the partial government shutdown, Griffin is working to improve the passenger experience and attract new nonstop routes, including potentially the first-ever nonstop flight from Columbus to Europe.
Why it matters
The new $2 billion terminal project at John Glenn Columbus International Airport is a major infrastructure investment that will transform the passenger experience and position the airport for future growth. Meanwhile, the ongoing TSA staffing crisis highlights the vulnerabilities of the nation's air travel system and the need for long-term funding solutions. Attracting new nonstop routes, especially to Europe, is crucial for boosting Columbus' status as a regional air travel hub.
The details
The new terminal will feature 36 gates, a single security checkpoint, and modern design elements like large windows to improve the passenger experience. Airlines have signed contracts to continue flying in Columbus and are expected to add more frequencies, routes, and larger aircraft once the new terminal opens. The airport is also in talks with airlines to bring the first nonstop flight from Columbus to Europe, which could launch as soon as 2027.
- Construction on the new $2 billion terminal is scheduled for completion in late 2028 or early 2029.
- Griffin started his new role as president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority on February 2, 2026.
- The partial government shutdown that began in February 2026 has led to ongoing TSA staffing issues and long security lines at airports across the country.
The players
Daren Griffin
The new president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, who previously led the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority and spent 16 years at the Port of Portland in Oregon.
Joseph Nardone
The former president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, who retired in January 2026 after leading the organization for eight years and overseeing the $2 billion new terminal project.
Southwest Airlines
One of the largest airlines operating at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, along with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
United Airlines
The airline recently announced a second daily nonstop flight from Columbus to Los Angeles, in addition to American Airlines' existing year-round daily nonstop to LA.
American Airlines
One of the largest airlines operating at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, with a year-round daily nonstop flight to Los Angeles.
What they’re saying
“There's almost 400 commercial airports that you can fly to. I can count on one hand those that are doing or have done what we are doing here.”
— Daren Griffin, President and CEO, Columbus Regional Airport Authority
“It's not a question of if. It's just a question of when.”
— Daren Griffin, President and CEO, Columbus Regional Airport Authority
“You have not heard a bad story about wait times in Columbus because there haven't been. And that's only because they continue to work without pay.”
— Daren Griffin, President and CEO, Columbus Regional Airport Authority
What’s next
The airport is working with the goal of bringing the first nonstop flight from Columbus to Europe in 2027, though the specific timeline and airline partner have not yet been finalized.
The takeaway
The $2 billion terminal project at John Glenn Columbus International Airport represents a major investment in the region's air travel infrastructure, positioning the airport for future growth and improved passenger experience. However, the ongoing TSA staffing crisis highlights the vulnerabilities in the nation's air travel system and the need for long-term funding solutions to ensure reliable security screening. Attracting new nonstop routes, especially to Europe, will be crucial for cementing Columbus' status as a regional air travel hub.
