You Won’t Be Able to Fly United out of Columbia Starting January 4

United Airlines is suspending service at Columbia Regional Airport indefinitely. The suspension of service comes as the airport is in the midst of a major improvement project, while the airline is dealing with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Columbia Regional Airport recently announced United Airlines has informed them that they will be indefinitely suspending their two outbound daily flights to Chicago effective January 4, 2022.

City manager John Glascock says the City will continue to create an environment where American Airlines can thrive to ensure its success in the region. And that the suspension of service by United will not impact the airport's current improvements. Glascock says:

The airport is currently undergoing exciting improvements, including a runway extension scheduled to be completed in December and the construction of a brand-new terminal scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2022. These projects continue to be on schedule and will make the experience of using COU even better for passengers.

United isn't just cutting service to Columbia. The Points Guy says other small cities that are seeing service indefinitely suspended are:

• Battle Creek / Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Mosinee, Wisconsin
• Evansville, Indiana
• Killeen-Fort Hood, Texas
• Lansing, Michigan
• Monroe, Louisiana
• College Station, Texas

And United told The Points Guy, "Due to changes in the long-term sustainability of several of our regional routes, United will end service to eight cities at the start of the new year. We will work with impacted customers to help them make alternate plans."  United has also recently cut service to three other cities and has shuffled some of its service around recently.

United Airlines began flying out of Columbia on August 1, 2017.