Making the Case for a New Kansas City International Airport

May 4, 2016
While most of the power players in the city agree that something needs to be done about the airport, there are differing views on how to do it. The last two airport master plans recommended building a new, single terminal.

Kansas City International Airport is in the middle of a battle to build a new, badly needed state-of-the-art terminal. The current three-terminal facility was designed in the 1960s and opened in 1972 during a time before baggage screening was required and increased security was the norm. Bloomberg Business named the airport among the 10 least-favorite facilities as determined by frequent travelers.

In December, the Aviation Department reported that 10.4 million passengers traveled through the airport in 2015, up 3 percent year over year. The airport also received new flights from Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air, along with increased frequencies and new destinations from existing carriers.

In 2011, Aviation Director Mark VanLoh sparked a discussion on the airport’s future after noting that the current three-terminal configuration was becoming inefficient and outdated. This was during a time when airlines were merging and airports across the country were building more efficient and technologically advanced terminals. While most of the power players in the city agree that something needs to be done about the airport, there are differing views on how to do it.

The last two airport master plans recommended building a new, single terminal. The city council approved an 18-month study to validate and guide the design of a new single terminal and recommended that it be built. The Mayor's Airport Terminal Advisory Group also determined that a new single terminal was the best option. Both groups felt the existing terminals are not configured in a way that offers the best passenger experience for residents and visitors.

But some members of the community and a few government officials are opposed to building a new terminal, instead preferring to renovate the facility, which is forecast to cost more than new design/build. Airport officials have said that renovation is not an option, and tenant airlines, including Southwest, agree. The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is also a supporter of the single terminal, noting it was the best option for passenger safety and convenience.

The Aviation Department has emphasized that no taxpayer dollars would be used to build the new terminal. It will be funded via Passenger Facility Charges, concessions revenues, Airport Improvement Program grants and revenue bonds. And when the time comes, the department will be able to pay for the terminal after Moody's Investors Service revised to positive the outlook on the airport’s bonds in June 2015.

But the ratings agency also warned that the airport’s ‘financial flexibility’ is constrained due to low average concession revenues, which the Aviation Department believes is due to the decentralized terminal layout and limited room for traveler concessions inside security.

A solution could be coming soon, as the city’s Aviation Department is working with its airlines on a plan, with results expected to be unveiled in May. Here’s hoping that sensible heads will prevail and allow the city to build a next generation terminal that will offer a better passenger experience for visitors and residents.