New ATC Tower Positions Rickenbacker to Serve Growing Air Cargo Needs

Air cargo, passenger and military flights are now taxiing down Rickenbacker International Airport’s runways under the guidance of air traffic controllers operating out of the industry’s newest air traffic control tower.

“After more than eight years of planning and a year of construction, the state-of-the-art structure is helping Rickenbacker keep up with the increasing demand of the airport as a global gateway for North America,” said Elaine Roberts, president & CEO of Columbus Regional Airport Authority. “The new tower is much more conducive to current and future business needs of Rickenbacker and, most importantly, strengthens the safety and security of the airport.”

Rickenbacker International Airport is one of the few cargo-dedicated airports in the world and serves as the anchor of the high-speed international and multimodal logistics hub in Columbus, Ohio.

“The speed, stability and efficiency of moving goods through Rickenbacker are no longer secrets in the industry,” Roberts continued. “This tower helps to ensure the growth and service expansions of current and future carriers and logistics providers will be met with the best possible service and reliability from the airport in the years to come.”

Control was officially switched over to the new $8 million tower on April 23. The tower was funded through a unique community partnership, including $1.75 million provided by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and $1.12 million by the State of Ohio.

“Columbus has a strong history of community collaboration and this tower is the latest successful project in that regard,” Roberts said. “We all understand and appreciate how working together to strengthen the economic engine of Central Ohio benefits the community as a whole and we are grateful for the support this project received from our partners.”