Since its opening in 1929, Port Columbus has been on the leading edge of the air transportation industry. Follow our journey step by step, as we evolved from humble beginnings to become one of the premier airports in the Midwest.

1929
	Dedication of the first Transcontinental Air/Rail Service from New York was held.
1932
	Fifty-six boundary lights were installed on the field. They served, along with a two million candlepower floodlight and a revolving six million candlepower beacon light, to mark the airport at night or on cloudy days. This eventually caused the elimination of the train's part in the Transcontinental & Western Airlines air-rail service.
1935
	Foster Lane began his flying service on May 1, 1935 in the Curtiss Flying Service Hangar with a Driggs Skylark III biplane. He purchased it for $300 down, with a promise to pay the remaining balance of $1800 sometime in the future.
1939
	There were fourteen flights from Port Columbus daily. Of these flights, ten were Transcontinental and Western Airline and four were American Airlines. T.W.A. boarded an average of twenty-one passengers per day.
1940
	In the war foreboding days of 1940, Port Columbus was one of only 31 non-military fields in the country (and the only one in Ohio) capable of handling the military aircraft of that time. The Federal government took over operation of Port Columbus in 1941 and the Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA) appropriated $1,500,000 for enlargement.
1952
	The east-west runway was extended from 4,500 feet to 8,000 feet and parallel taxi strips were completed. The runway is touted as "the longest runway in the Midwest."
1958
	The new $4 million terminal building was dedicated on September 21, and passengers boarded Piedmont Airlines Flight 90 bound for Parkersburg, West Virginia in a DC-3.
1965
	Port Columbus received "international status" by establishing an official customs facility, complete with a USDA approved incinerator within the airport.
1972
	The City received a grant from the State of Ohio for the installation of a non-directional beacon, approach lights, visual approach slope indicators, and runway end identification lights at Bolton Field. The installation was completed during the year and the navigational aids improved the utility and reliability of the airport by enabling it to accept instrument operations.
1979
	A $70 million airport face-lift made the old Port Columbus into a "model of passenger convenience." Port Columbus now had the capacity to land almost 250 flights every day, while passengers could deplane through fully enclosed "jetways" at every gate. The 50th year of operation was marked by a gala "Golden Anniversary" program with an air show held on July 8th and 9th. The theme of the show was "Progress" Past and Future.
1989
	17th Avenue was renamed International Gateway coinciding with the 60th Anniversary of Port Columbus International Airport. The new seven-gate USAir South Concourse, a $15.5 million project, was dedicated as well.
1991
	Operation of Port Columbus International Airport was transferred to the Columbus Airport Authority from the City of Columbus.
1994
	A groundbreaking was held for the new four-gate North Concourse Expansion project.
1995
	A dedication ceremony was held for the new North Concourse, also known as Concourse C.
1997
	The North Runway extension was completed and dedicated. The runway was extended from 6,000 feet to 8,000 feet in length. The $20 million project expanded the airport's capacity for increased aircraft operations.
1998
	Groundbreaking was held for the $92 million six-level parking garage, rental car, roadway, and terminal access project. A $25 million terminal renovation project was also completed. Retail shops, flight information displays, enhanced lighting, upgraded flooring, and a new food court were all part of the renovation.
1999
	The first phase of the North Airfield Development project was completed. This included the extension of Bridgeway Avenue, new hangars and office space for Executive Jet Aviation (later renamed Net Jets), as well as associated taxiway connections to the north runway.
2000
	The new $92 million parking garage was completed. With underground terminal entrance, new rental car facilities, dedicated ground transportation area, improved eight-lane terminal access on two levels, and a new atrium and entrances for the terminal, the project was deemed a huge success.
2002
	The Authority plans the largest capital program in airport history for a new terminal building and significant infrastructure enhancements, many related to the terminal itself.
2003
	In late 2002, the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Columbus Airport Authority approved the merger of the Columbus Airport Authority and Rickenbacker Port Authority, forming the new Columbus Regional Airport Authority effective January 1, 2003.
2004
	A new state-of-the-art Airport Traffic Control Tower was dedicated shortly after directing its first aircraft on April 25 at 12 a.m. The new tower extends 21 stories and 195 feet above the ground, allowing for twice the work space as the old tower, as well as improved visibility and the latest in communications, computer and radar consoles. 2004 marked the 75th anniversary of Port Columbus, and with it the Airport Authority celebrated the long and respected history of aviation in Central Ohio. Events surrounding the airport's 75th anniversary included an employee event, a private reception and a public celebration at the original TAT hangar with vintage aircraft and historical displays; a historical postcard and commemorative, hand-stamped U.S. Postal Service cancellation station and the sealing of a 2004 time capsule along with the original 1929, 1958 and 1982 time capsules, all to be opened at the 100th anniversary celebration.