As someone with deep aviation, working knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration, and airport management experience, I want to clear up confusion: Columbus Airport is owned by an independent commission seaparate from the city of Columbus, GA, but ICE flights are federal operations. The city and airport staff have no role in approving or managing them.
What the commission and aiport staff can control is making sure our airport physical infrastructure serves you — by expanding travel options, attracting business, and strengthening our local economy. I have used this example in the past; the city may own the roads (mostly) in its municipalities but it does not regulate the rules of the vehicles using them.
The commission has no interation with air crews over manifest no more than it does over Delta and over public or private ariframs that use Columbus Airport. I believe knowing the difference in what we can and cannot control is important in any municipal decision making process.
Transparency matters. I’ll keep our community informed while focusing on what’s in our hands: keeping Columbus Airport safe, accessible, and a driver of opportunity.