Building a firm foundation: Tom McCarthy, “Chief Planning & Engineering Officer”, on the new Columbus airport terminal
| Company | John Glenn Columbus International Airport |
|---|---|
| Date | 18.06.2026 |
If you’ve flown through John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) recently, you’ve probably noticed that things look a little different around here. There are cranes, concrete, and the sense that something big is happening. This construction is the start of CMH Next, a project set to build a brand-new terminal for passengers.
Enter Tom McCarthy, a crucial leader of this charge. As Chief Planning & Engineering Officer, McCarthy studied architecture and spent 35 years in aviation, expressing, “This industry has been in my blood.” With a father who designed aircraft, McCarthy grew up surrounded by aviation before spending the past four and a half years focusing on Columbus’ new terminal, a place that will capture both the character and ambitious innovation of this growing city.
McCarthy sat down with us for a behind-the-scenes look at where CMH Next stands today.
Central Market, the heart of the new terminal
The true heart of the new terminal lies within our Central Market. In McCarthy’s words, “I think the Central Market concept is going to be the wow factor that this terminal has.”
It’s a central gathering space with a skylight showing the skies above. Passengers can catch a glimpse of the aircraft they’re about to board and enjoy all the amenities the new terminal will have to offer. It’s a strategic design choice that’s still relatively rare in the industry, and one McCarthy believes will redefine what it feels like to travel through Columbus.
From the parking garage to the gate: a quick, efficient route
A larger terminal raises a reasonable concern: does more square footage mean a longer walk to someone’s flight?
McCarthy thought about that too, explaining, “Passengers will be able to walk from the rental car facility [or] the new 5,000-space parking garage, into the terminal and then be at their gate in a matter of minutes.” The new CMH terminal is intentionally designed around a single center. For passengers who already love the short walk from the car to the gate in the current CMH terminal, catching a flight can still feel like a breeze in a larger, more grand facility.
A sight to behold on the latest site visit
With the steel and concrete setting into place, McCarthy stepped onto the site recently and saw the marvel of the carefully laid-out renderings and details being brought to life.
“The grand scale of it…it’s going to be very impressive.”
CMH Next, with its firm foundation built by the 11-person team of CRAA engineers and the wider team of architects, engineers, and construction managers, is made for Columbus and everyone who visits it as their new, former, or temporary home.
Just as John Glenn Columbus International Airport connects Ohio to the world, CMH Next is a testament to the growing innovation, grandeur, and heart of the Buckeye State. It’s a clear sky full of dreams and possibilities, and CMH Next will become the bridge to the many adventures that await.
Learn more about the project at cmhnext.com.
Contact
4600 International Gateway
Columbus
Ohio
United States
OH 43219
- 1 614-239-4000
