Columbus airport upgrades

Columbus’ Golden Triangle Regional Airport is getting a $3.4 million grant for its runways and taxiways; and the widening of on- and off-ramps that will allow the hub to handle larger aircraft. The airport can already handle the Airbus A320 commercial jetliner. Airbus is to start turning out A320s at its new assembly plant in Mobile, Ala., by 2016. Work at the Columbus airport is tentatively scheduled to start in October and will take about 90 days. The Federal Aviation Administration will fund 90 percent of the cost; and the remainder will come from the Mississippi Department of Transportation and airport. Source: Jackson Clarion Ledger, Sept. 24, 2013.