Kansas City Airport: Masks, Are They Still Required?

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is a public airport in Kansas City, Missouri, located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri. The airport covers 10,680 acres and has three runways. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council mandated masks in public places, including the airport. However, in November 2021, the council rescinded this order, leaving the decision to require masks to private businesses. Nevertheless, certain airlines operating out of MCI, such as Delta Air Lines and Frontier Airlines, implemented their own policies requiring passengers to wear masks on board their flights.

Kansas City International Airport serves the Kansas City Metropolitan Area

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is a public airport located in Kansas City, Missouri, serving the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. It is the primary airport for much of western Missouri and eastern Kansas. The airport is situated 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri. It covers 10,680 acres (16.7 sq mi; 43.2 km2) and has three runways.

The airport was opened in 1972, replacing the Kansas City Municipal Airport (MKC), and all scheduled passenger airline flights were moved from MKC to MCI. Since its opening, the airport has doubled in size, from 4,500 acres to 10,680 acres. In terms of acreage, MCI ranks sixth in the United States for commercial/public airports, excluding military airfields and general aviation airports.

The construction of the airport was influenced by the Great Flood of 1951, which destroyed the facilities of Kansas City's airlines, Mid-Continent Airlines, and TWA, at Fairfax Municipal Airport. The city initially considered expanding the Grandview Airport south of the city, but eventually decided to build a new airport north of the city, away from the Missouri River. The site was chosen in May 1953, and construction began in September 1954. The first runway opened in 1956, and the airport was dedicated in October 1972 by U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew.

In early 2020, Kansas City International Airport suspended all international flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, airlines such as Delta Air Lines and Frontier implemented policies requiring passengers to wear masks onboard their flights and in various areas of the airport. However, as of November 2021, the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council has lifted the mask mandate in public places, leaving the decision to private businesses. The airport's new terminal, featuring expanded parking facilities, spacious gate areas, and numerous food and beverage options, opened in February 2023.

Delta Air Lines requires masks on board and in the airport

As of April 2023, masks are optional for all airport employees, crew members, and customers inside U.S. airports and on board all aircraft domestically, as well as on most international flights. This update was made following a ruling by a U.S. district court judge, which resulted in the Biden administration announcing that the Transportation Security Administration will no longer enforce the federal mandate requiring masks in all U.S. airports and on board aircraft.

Prior to this ruling, Delta Air Lines had a policy that required travelers to wear a mask or face covering in the check-in area, premium lounges, boarding gate areas, and on board for the entire flight, except during meals. This policy was implemented in May 2020 as a measure to protect the health of passengers and crew during the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy was aligned with CDC recommendations and those of many municipalities within the U.S., which included wearing a face covering when out in public.

Kansas City International Airport, located in Kansas City, Missouri, is served by various airlines, including Delta Air Lines. Since the 2020 pandemic shutdown, the airport has seen a steady recovery in the number of peak-day scheduled aircraft departures. While Kansas City, Missouri, rescinded its order requiring masks in public places in November 2021, masks are still required in schools, and private businesses can choose to require them.

It is important to note that Delta Air Lines' previous mask policy was dependent on the laws and requirements of the flight's origin and/or destination. Masks were required on board or in the airport gate area or lounges if mandated by local governments or the countries/territories being visited. This information would be communicated to customers through announcements, signage, email, or text messages. Additionally, Delta Air Lines accommodated customers with disabilities who could not wear masks, but they were encouraged to complete a 'Clearance-to-Fly' process before departure.

The airport was built after the Great Flood of 1951

As of April 2020, Delta Air Lines and Frontier required passengers to wear masks to guard against coronavirus. This policy was also in line with CDC recommendations. However, as of November 2021, the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council has rescinded its order requiring masks in public places. Masks are still required in schools, and private businesses can choose to require them.

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) was opened in 1972, replacing Kansas City Municipal Airport (MKC) with all scheduled passenger airline flights moved to the new airport. The airport was originally named Mid-Continent International Airport and was built after the Great Flood of 1951. The Great Flood of 1951 was the second-biggest in the rate of discharge at 573,000 cubic feet per second (16,200 m3/s). The flood was devastating for Kansas City as it destroyed the city's stockyards and the facilities of both of Kansas City's airlines, Mid-Continent Airlines and TWA, at Fairfax Municipal Airport. The flood also caused the destruction of the TWA overhaul base at Fairfax Airport in Kansas City, Kansas.

Following the Great Flood of 1951, Kansas City planned to build a new airport with room for 10,000-foot runways, knowing that the existing downtown airport would not be large enough. The city already owned Grandview Airport, which had ample room for expansion. However, Kansas City ultimately decided to build the new airport north of the city, away from the Missouri River. This decision was influenced by Platte County native Jay B. Dillingham, president of the Kansas City Stockyards, which had also been destroyed in the flood. The site for the new airport was picked in May 1953, and ground was broken in September 1954. The first runway opened in 1956, and TWA signed an agreement to move its overhaul base to the new airport.

In 1957, the Official Airline Guide (OAG) listed several weekday departures from the downtown airport, which was later renamed the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport. This airport was considered dangerous by the FAA in the early 1960s due to its proximity to the city, and this prompted the construction of the new Kansas City International Airport.

The airport has 3 runways and covers 10,680 acres

As of 2021, masks are not mandated in Kansas City, but private businesses can still require them. In 2020, Delta Air Lines and Frontier Airlines, which operate out of Kansas City International Airport, required passengers to wear masks on board their planes.

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is a large airport, covering 10,680 acres (16.7 sq mi; 43.2 km2; 4,320 ha) and featuring three runways. It is located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri. The airport was opened in 1972, and since then, it has more than doubled in size, from 4,500 acres to its current acreage. Excluding military airfields and general aviation airports, MCI ranks sixth in the United States in terms of overall acreage for a commercial/public airport.

The airport was built after the Great Flood of 1951 destroyed the facilities of Kansas City's airlines, Mid-Continent Airlines and TWA, at Fairfax Municipal Airport. Kansas City planned to build a new airport with room for 10,000-foot (3,000 m) runways, as the downtown airport would not be large enough. The city chose a site north of the city, away from the Missouri River, and construction began in September 1954. The first runway opened in 1956, and TWA moved its operations to the new airport.

Kansas City International Airport has always been a civilian airport and has never been assigned an Air National Guard unit. The airport features a unique drive-to-your-gate design and has been a destination and a stop for travellers for decades. In 1990, amid the Persian Gulf Crisis, the airport faced fuel shortages, and flights dropped to record lows. However, it has since recovered and established itself as one of the nation's most affordable and centralized locations, offering convenient access to both coasts within four hours.

Kansas City rescinded its mask mandate in 2021

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and serves the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. While I could not find explicit information on whether masks are currently required at the airport, it is clear that Kansas City, Missouri, did have a mask mandate in place in 2021.

In 2021, the city of Kansas City, Missouri, required people ages five and older to wear masks indoors. This mandate was put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus. However, on November 4, 2021, the Kansas City Council met and decided to rescind the mask mandate for adults in public places. The new ordinance passed with an 11-2 majority, and it meant that only students and children aged 18 and younger were required to wear masks in school settings.

The decision to rescind the mask mandate for adults was made based on the improving coronavirus situation in the city. Health officials had recommended extending the mask mandate, citing a downward trend in cases since the order was implemented in August 2021. However, the Kansas City Council ultimately decided that the mandate was no longer necessary for adults in public spaces.

While the citywide mask mandate had expired for adults, private businesses in Kansas City were still allowed to set their own rules regarding masks. Businesses could decide whether to require masks for their customers and employees within their premises. This allowed businesses to make decisions based on their own assessments of risk and the comfort levels of their customers and staff.

It is important to note that the information provided reflects the situation in Kansas City, Missouri, as of 2021. The mask policies and mandates may have been updated or changed since then, and it is always advisable to refer to the latest guidelines and recommendations from official sources.

Frequently asked questions