Kansas City International Airport

Kansas City International Airport Tries to Expand after 25 Years of Service

Kansas City International Airport is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and is known for having provided access to the Midwest for a long time - 25 years to be exact. It helps that it is one of the biggest airports in the country, its airfield occupying 10,000 acres of wide open space. It is responsible for serving more than 10 million passengers every year, proven by the fact that 10.6 million passengers passed through its portals in 2006 alone.

Kansas City International Airport has an ideal location at the intersection of the major highways I-435 and I-29, and being around 15 miles away from the downtown area of Kansas City proper. It is expected that, as the area's residential, industrial and commercial centers reach their full potential, that the airport will play a vital role in the Northland region's eventual development.

A Unique Expansion Plan

The Master Plan being developed for Kansas City International Airport is unique in that it combines an Airport Master Plan, Noise Compatibility Study, and general land use scheme into one consolidated Master Plan. This Master Plan is expected to help Kansas City planners implement the Comprehensive Plan for the city, while helping airport officials with the expansion of the airport as well.

As of 2007, Kansas City International Airport was rated the top medium- sized airport, based on the 2007 North America Airport Satisfaction Study conducted by JD Power and Associates. In most of the categories of that poll, Kansas City International Airport garnered five stars out of five possible stars, excluding baggage claim where it merited four stars instead. (A medium-sized airport is one that can handle 10 million to 30 million passengers every year.)

As a public airport, Kansas City International Airport differs from other major airports of similar size in that it maintains its civilian airport status without having had an Air National Guard unit deployed to its jurisdiction.

Terminal Improvement Project

Kansas City International Airport recently underwent a Terminal Improvement Project costing a total of $258 million in 2004. Under this Project, each structural bay was re-designed to allow for bigger vestibules, allow concessions to have more space, and provide additional public seating, while enhancing customer service. Also, more retail space was incorporated into airside and curbside (as part of boosting customer service) while a better signage solution was created that aims to be more functional yet cost-effective as well. As of 2006, Kansas City International Airport also provides Wi-Fi access at no charge to travelers.

Future plans

Both Kansas City authorities and airport management believe that in time the three terminals at the airport (Terminals A, B and C) will have to be consolidated into just one terminal. This is because the cost of maintaining separate security checkpoints at each terminal is prohibitive. Other reasons for consolidation are the dearth of retail and concessions space after the security area, as well as the current price of operating the entire airport.

Comments (0) Add Comment