Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Daylight today(Aug 29, 2026, local time)
About 12h 59m of daylight. Civil twilight (dawn/dusk) approximates the FAA definition of night for logging and currency. Times are computed and approximate — verify with official sources.
About Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the main commercial airport for Columbia and the Midlands region of South Carolina, United States. The airport is located in unincorporated Lexington County, southwest of Columbia. Although it has a West Columbia mailing address, the airport is not within that city's boundaries. The city of Cayce and the towns of Springdale, Pine Ridge, and South Congaree surround the airport, separating the airport from West Columbia. The airport is a regional cargo hub for UPS Airlines.
Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.
Live weather
KCAENOTAMs
KCAEReference only — not an official briefing. Always obtain a certified briefing (e.g. 1800wxbrief.com / your AIS) before flight.
NOTAM data via the FAA NOTAM system.
Live departures & arrivals
Flight data by AeroDataBox. Times are estimates — not for navigation; confirm with the airline.
Where you can fly from here
Current scheduled routes & daily frequency by AeroDataBox. Approximate — confirm bookable schedules with the airline.
Live traffic nearby
Aircraft currently within ~40 nm, from live ADS-B. Positions are approximately real-time — not for navigation.
Live ADS-B by adsb.lol & the OpenSky Network. Not for navigation.
Map
Runway centrelines, navaids and overlapping airspace. Tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Reference only — not for navigation.
Runways (2)
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighting | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 / 29 | 8,601 ft / 2,622 m | 150 ft | Asp | Lighted | Open |
| 05 / 23▸ displaced | 8,001 ft / 2,439 m | 150 ft | Pem | Lighted | Open |
Radio frequencies (7)
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| A/D | APP/DEP | 124.150 MHz |
| ATIS | ATIS | 120.150 MHz |
| CLD | CLNC DEL | 119.750 MHz |
| GND | GND | 121.900 MHz |
| RDO | ANDERSON RDO | 122.650 MHz |
| TWR | TWR | 119.500 MHz |
| UNIC | UNICOM | 122.950 MHz |
Services & operations
Columbia Metropolitan Airport offers various passenger services, including parking options and amenities.
From the airport’s official website — details may change, so confirm with the airport. Official site
Navaids(1)
Airlines & destinations
Route data from OpenFlights — historical and may be out of date. Check current schedules.
Instrument procedures & charts
Airport diagram (1)
Instrument approaches (4)
Takeoff & alternate minimums (2)
Runway hot spots (1)
Showing 8 of 13 FAA procedures on this overview. Always fly the current, official chart. Full charts page.
Airspace in this area(2)
| Name | Class | Type | Floor | Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN AIRPORT CLASS C | Class C | Controlled | GND | 4200 ft MSL |
| COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN AIRPORT CLASS C | Class C | Controlled | 1800 ft MSL | 4200 ft MSL |
Approximate bounding-box match from OpenAIP · all United States airspace. Reference only — consult official charts for exact boundaries and status.
Weather by month
Share of VFR / marginal-VFR / IFR / low-IFR conditions by month over the last 8 years, with the prevailing wind and typical density altitude. Historical climatology — not a forecast.
Prevailing wind: W (from about 270°), on 12% of observations, averaging 7 kt.
| Month | VFR / MVFR / IFR / LIFR | % VFR | Median DA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 79% | -764 ft | |
| Feb | 75% | -397 ft | |
| Mar | 81% | 142 ft | |
| Apr | 89% | 622 ft | |
| May | 83% | 1,051 ft | |
| Jun | 88% | 1,405 ft | |
| Jul | 89% | 1,566 ft | |
| Aug | 84% | 1,447 ft | |
| Sep | 86% | 1,253 ft | |
| Oct | 84% | 655 ft | |
| Nov | 81% | -161 ft | |
| Dec | 73% | -570 ft |
VFR MVFR IFR LIFR· density altitude ranges ~-764–1,566 ft through the year· Source: NWS/IEM ASOS archive.
Tall obstacles nearby
| Obstacle | Height AGL | Top (MSL) | Lit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main & Gervais | 269 ft | 285 ft | — |
Tallest obstacles within ~10 nm. Data via OpenAIP. Reference only — consult official charts.
Nearby airports
Great-circle distance and true bearing from Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ICAO code for Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
The ICAO code for Columbia Metropolitan Airport is KCAE, and its IATA code is CAE.
Where is Columbia Metropolitan Airport located?
Columbia Metropolitan Airport is medium airport located in Columbia, United States, at an elevation of 236 ft (72 m).
How many runways does Columbia Metropolitan Airport have?
Columbia Metropolitan Airport has 2 runways, the longest being 8,601 ft / 2,622 m.
Which airlines fly to Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
Airlines historically serving Columbia Metropolitan Airport include Air France, Alitalia, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, US Airways, among 7 carriers (based on OpenFlights route data, which may be out of date).
How many destinations are served from Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
Historical data lists 10 nonstop destinations from Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Always check current schedules.
What time zone is Columbia Metropolitan Airport in?
Columbia Metropolitan Airport is in the America/New York time zone (UTC-04:00).
What is the magnetic variation at Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
The magnetic variation (declination) at Columbia Metropolitan Airport is approximately 7.7° W, per the World Magnetic Model. Variation changes slowly over time — always use the current value charted for navigation.
What airports are near Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
The nearest airport to Columbia Metropolitan Airport is Darden Airport (SC13), about 6.6 nm to the ssw, followed by Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport and Gaston Airport.
Is the information on this page suitable for flight planning?
No. Columbia Metropolitan Airport data here is for reference and training only — not for navigation. Always consult official sources and current charts before any flight.