Columbia Regional (KCOU), Missouri
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Columbia Regional Airport (KCOU) serves the Columbia, Missouri area as a towered public-use field with two paved concrete runways, the longer stretching 7,401 feet. The airport recorded 12,414 total annual operations in 2025 per FAA TFMSC data, with business aviation accounting for 5,683 of those movements. Positioned roughly 88 nautical miles from the nearest major metro area, KCOU functions as a regional business aviation gateway with both 100LL and Jet A fuel on the field.
Runways
Columbia Regional has two paved runways. The longest, 02/20, is 7,401 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Columbia Regional has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Columbia Regional does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Spirit of Saint Louis (KSUS), 74 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Columbia Regional recorded 5,683 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in October and November. Business aviation traffic at KCOU concentrates in the fall months, with October and November posting the highest monthly operation counts of the year.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 646 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Columbia Regional averages 12.9 days above 90°F in July, 26.1 freeze days in January and 1.9 snow days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 88.5°F, and January the coldest, at 39.5°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Columbia Regional has published operating constraints in three categories: access, runway notes and pavement strength.
For clearance delivery, contact Mizzou Approach.
When the air traffic control tower is closed, activate the following lighting via CTAF: MALSR on runway 02, REIL on runway 20, HIRL on runway 02/20, and MIRL on runway 13/31. PAPI on runways 13, 31, and 20 operate continuously.
PCR VALUE: 403/R/D/W/T
PCR VALUE: 386/R/B/W/T
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Columbia Regional has five airfields within 33 NM. The closest is Elton Hensley Memorial (KFTT), 10.14 NM east.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KCOU
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KCOU.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What runway length is available at KCOU?
Columbia Regional operates two paved concrete runways. Runway 02/20 is the primary surface at 7,401 feet long and 150 feet wide, supporting the full range of business jet traffic. Runway 13/31 offers a secondary option at 5,500 feet long and 100 feet wide. Both runways are concrete construction. KCOU's longer runway matches the airport's designation as a business aviation tier 1 facility in this dataset.
Is fuel available at KCOU?
Columbia Regional stocks both 100LL and Jet A fuel on the field. The airport is staffed on an all-day, all-week attendance schedule, with no gaps noted in the schedule data. KCOU also operates as a towered airport, which supports coordination for arriving and departing traffic during fueling operations. Dispatchers can plan fuel stops at this field without regard to limited attendance hours based on the schedule provided.
How does KCOU handle customs clearance for international arrivals?
Columbia Regional does not have customs service onsite. The nearest customs facility is at KSUS, located approximately 74 nautical miles away. Flights requiring customs clearance should plan to route through KSUS or another customs-equipped airport before or after a stop at KCOU. This distance should be factored into fuel and routing planning for any international leg terminating or transiting through Columbia Regional.
What lighting is available at KCOU when the tower is closed?
At Columbia Regional, several lighting systems activate via CTAF when the air traffic control tower is closed. Runway 02 uses MALSR approach lighting, while runway 20 uses REIL. High intensity runway lighting covers runway 02/20, and medium intensity runway lighting covers runway 13/31. PAPI systems on runways 13, 31, and 20 operate continuously rather than being pilot-activated. This gives arriving traffic lighting options at KCOU outside staffed tower hours.
Does KCOU see seasonal variation in business aviation traffic?
Yes, business aviation traffic at Columbia Regional is concentrated in certain months rather than spread evenly across the year. October and November show the highest monthly business aviation operations, at 646 and 614 respectively according to FAA TFMSC data, compared to lower counts in mid-summer months like July at 370. This pattern is worth factoring into scheduling and slot planning for KCOU during the fall period. Dispatchers should anticipate higher traffic volumes at the field during these months.