Columbia Regional Airport (KCOU)
Medium airport · Columbia, Missouri, United States
Airport data
| Name | Columbia Regional Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KCOU |
| IATA | COU |
| Elevation | 889 ft (271 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 38°49'5" W 92°13'11" 38.81810, -92.21960 |
| Location | Columbia, Missouri, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/20 | 7,401 ft (2256 m) | 150 ft | CON | Yes |
| 13/31 | 5,500 ft (1676 m) | 100 ft | Concrete | Yes |
Columbia Regional Airport at a glance
Columbia Regional Airport is a medium airport in Columbia, Missouri, United States, known to airline systems as COU. The field elevation of 889 ft (271 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KCOU are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 02/20 — offers 7,401 ft (2256 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 02 points roughly 20° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KCOU shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Columbia Regional Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Whiteman Air Force Base | KSZL | 116 km (63 NM) |
| Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport-Forney Field | KTBN | 120 km (65 NM) |
| Spirit of St Louis Airport | KSUS | 137 km (74 NM) |
| Kirksville Regional Airport | KIRK | 145 km (78 NM) |
| Quincy Regional Airport Baldwin Field | KUIN | 153 km (83 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Columbia Regional Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 889 ft field elevation of Columbia Regional Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Columbia Regional Airport
What is the ICAO code of Columbia Regional Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Columbia Regional Airport is KCOU, and its IATA code is COU. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Columbia Regional Airport above sea level?
Columbia Regional Airport sits at an elevation of 889 feet (271 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Columbia Regional Airport located?
The airport lies at 38.8181, -92.2196 — in Columbia, Missouri, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Whiteman Air Force Base, about 116 km away.
Does KCOU publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KCOU appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Columbia Regional Airport?
Columbia Regional Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 02/20, measures 7,401 ft (2256 m) with a CON surface.