2023 has been really good for Kansas City so far. First, a Super Bowl win. And on Tuesday, the city unveiled a brand new airport.
When Southwest Airlines Flight 904 lifted off from Kansas City International Airport (MCI) on Tuesday morning, it ushered in a new era in the history of Missouri aviation.
The Chicago Midway (MDW)-bound flight left the gate right on time at 0500 local time Tuesday morning and was the first to depart from the airport’s brand-new, state-of-the-art terminal. It offers travelers a stunning range of amenities and features to enhance the overall travel experience.
The footprint for KCI’s new terminal takes up just over one million square feet. It is the largest single infrastructure project in the history of Kansas City, something U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted during an advance ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday.
“In so many ways, this airport is a model for similar efforts across the country. Not only did you deliver the largest infrastructure project this city has ever seen—you did it on time and on budget while supporting over 5,000 construction jobs and working with over a hundred women and minority-owned businesses,” said Buttigieg. “I’m grateful for the tireless work all the leaders here have put into making this project possible for Kansas City. And I look forward to continuing our work to transform airports around the country for the better.”
The $1.5B Terminal Features 40 Gates
The new $1.5 billion terminal was designed to focus on convenience, efficiency, and sustainability. Featuring 40 gates – nine more than the old three-terminal airport – in two concourses, the facility also has the ability to expand up to 50 gates in the future. The new terminal also features a parking garage with more than 6,000 parking spaces connected to the terminal via a sky bridge. This feature alone will make it easier for passengers to park, access their vehicles, and make their way to the terminal without the need for shuttle services.
In addition to the parking garage, the new terminal has a dedicated multi-level curbside drop-off and pick-up area designed to accommodate private vehicles and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. The new terminal also features an expanded security checkpoint area with up to 16 lanes and the latest technology, designed to streamline the screening process and reduce passenger wait times. These features will make it easier and more convenient for travelers to navigate the airport, whether arriving or departing.
Additionally, KCI is now one of 51 airports in the United States to feature an airport security process called CLEAR, which scans the retinas of those who pay for a $189 annual membership.
Built with the Future in Mind
The new terminal at MCI also offers a dazzling array of dining, shopping, and entertainment options for passengers. The facility will feature a post-security food hall with more than 50 restaurants, cafes, and bars serving local and national favorites. The new terminal will also have a range of retail stores, including a duty-free shop where travelers can purchase gifts, souvenirs, and other items. Additionally, the new terminal will have a range of amenities, including visual paging boards for deaf and hard-of-hearing passengers, a children’s play area, a pet relief area, a sensory room, family restrooms, and ten nursing rooms.
KCI’s new airport also features the Kansas City Air Travel Experience, a simulator designed to calm fearful or neurodivergent flyers. The simulation takes a traveler from the parking lot to in-flight and features the check-in process, security screening, and the boarding of an actual portion of an Airbus A320 fuselage.
The design of the new terminal has been inspired by the region’s natural beauty, with large windows that offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and walls made from Missouri limestone. The terminal’s design has been optimized to take advantage of natural light, which will help reduce energy costs and make the space more comfortable for passengers. The terminal will also feature a range of sustainable features, such as energy-efficient lighting, water conservation systems, and the use of local materials, all designed to reduce the facility’s environmental impact.
The new terminal also boasts an impressively intentional collection of artwork from local, national, and international artists.
A Catalyst for Economic Growth
The construction of the new terminal was a significant undertaking involving various stakeholders, including the airport authority, construction firms, and local government. The project was funded through a combination of private and public funds, with the total cost estimated at $1.5 billion.
“This terminal is a new front door to the people of Kansas City, to everyone in our region, in Missouri and Kansas. We are on time, in fact a day early, and on budget,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. “Because of this project thousands of Missourians and Kansans have gotten jobs and built new careers. [This] project will bring millions, if not billions, of dollars in new economic development to Missouri and Kansas. Because of this project we will build generations more of exceptional memories here at KCI. This project is because of you.”
Kansas City International Boasts 150 Daily Departures
Historically, KCI served 10-12 million passengers annually until the COVID-19 pandemic decimated air travel in 2020. With 9.82 million passengers passing through KCI in 2022 (up from a 2020 low of just over four million), the new airport will be well-positioned for growth in the coming decades. Eleven airlines offer 150 daily departures to 51 destinations, including Air Canada, Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country (beginning in May), and United.
The new terminal is part of a larger renovation project at KCI, which includes demolishing the old terminals, constructing a new runway, and installing new air traffic control systems. Completing the new terminal marks a significant milestone in the airport’s history, offering travelers a modern and efficient facility that is fit for the 21st century and one of which every Kansas Citian should be proud.
