Kansas City Aviation Department is moving forward with plans to replace the existing three-terminal design at Kansas City International Airport (KCI) in the US with a new $1.2bn multi-storey building.
According to a $4m study carried out by the agency, construction on the existing site of Terminal A will not involve major highway reconstruction and would be completed in a shorter time compared to construction on undeveloped land located at the southern part of the airport.
The study also revealed that a replacement terminal would be preferable due to its proximity to the main runway, the fuel farm, the cargo facility and the de-icer area.
Following completion of the study, the plan will be submitted to the Kansas City Council and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Kansas City Aviation Department director Mark VanLoh told Kansas City Business Journal: "By moving back across the airfield, we save half a billion dollars."
Upon approval from the FAA, which is expected in 2013, the aviation department would select a conceptual designer and begin construction in late 2014 with expected completion in around two years.
When the terminal becomes fully operational, all flights will be transferred to the new terminal, while existing Terminal B would be demolished and Terminal C leased for office purposes.
The new airport would be equipped with interchangeable gates that allow airlines to move in and out of those when required.
The authority is also planning to build a multi-storey parking structure and adjacent surface lots facing the new terminal that would replace the existing three long-term parking decks and economy parking lots.
The project will be funded through federal grants, fees received from airline passengers and carriers and remaining from bond sale.
Image: The new $1.2bn terminal will replace the existing site of Terminal A at Kansas City International airport.
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