Special to the Chronicle

Columbia Metropolitan Airport celebrated the kick-off to college football Aug. 30.

CAE held a tailgate customer appreciation in the terminal’s main lobby.

Passengers and football fans enjoyed free hotdogs and a variety of prizes and giveaways.

“We look forward to this event each year,” said Kim Jamieson, CAE’s Director of Marketing and Air Service Development.

“It provides such a fun opportunity for us to celebrate the official beginning to college football season and is also a great opportunity to show our appreciation to our passengers for their support and for flying local.”

Travelers arriving to CAE for the first time were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed a great welcome and an unforgettable first impression of the airport and community.

Over 777,000 passengers have traveled through CAE this year to date.

American Airlines started nonstop service to New York/ LaGuardia in May and Delta Air Lines added a second nonstop flight to New York/ LaGuardia in June bringing the total to three nonstop flights to New York City.

American Airlines announced earlier this year their new nonstop service to Miami, Florida beginning on December 19.