Ruth Haines
Wichita, Kansas, is served by the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (IATA: ICT, ICAO: KICT, FAA LID: ICT). The airport is located about 7 miles west of downtown Wichita and is the largest and busiest airport in Kansas. It covers 3,248 acres and contains three runways. The airport was previously known as Wichita Mid-Continent Airport from 1973 until 2014 when it was renamed after the 34th US President, Dwight D. Eisenhower.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport |
| Address | 2277 Airport Rd Wichita, KS 67209 |
| Former Names | Wichita Mid-Continent Airport, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita Municipal Airport, Wichita Air Force Base, McConnell Air Force Base |
| Distance from Downtown Wichita | 7 miles (11 km) |
| Size | 3,248 acres (1,314 ha) |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Terminal Size | 272,000 sq ft (25,300 m2) |
| Terminal Levels | 2 |
| Number of Gates | 12 |
| Terminal Features | Aviation-themed design, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, outlets, USB ports |
What You'll Learn
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
The history of the airport dates back to the 1920s when Wichita hosted the National Air Congress in October 1924. The success of this event led to the proposal and construction of the Wichita Municipal Airport, which was dedicated on March 31, 1935. During World War II, the Kansas National Guard's 127th Observation Squadron was activated at the airport. In the 1950s, the United States Air Force considered establishing a permanent military installation near the Wichita Boeing facilities, leading to the construction of a new municipal airfield.
The current airport site was opened to general aviation traffic in 1953, and airline flights moved to the new location on April 1, 1954. It was dedicated on October 31, 1954, with two runways. In 1973, the airport was renamed Wichita Mid-Continent Airport after Kansas City renamed its airport.
On March 4, 2014, the Wichita City Council approved changing the name to Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to honour former President, General, and Kansas native Dwight D. Eisenhower. The new terminal, located just west of the previous one, opened on June 3, 2015, featuring a modern architectural design that showcases Wichita's prominent position in the aviation industry. The two-story, 272,000 sq ft (25,300 m2) terminal includes aviation-themed exhibits as part of its design.
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ICT airport code
Wichita, Kansas is served by the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, which uses the airport code ICT. ICT is an abbreviation for Wichita, as the letter "K" was prohibited by the FCC for airport codes at the time of naming. The airport is also referred to as Eisenhower National Airport or by its former name, Mid-Continent Airport.
The airport is located 7 miles (11 km) west of downtown Wichita and covers 3,248 acres (1,314 ha), making it the largest and busiest airport in Kansas. It contains three runways and serves air carrier, air taxi, cargo, corporate and general aviation, as well as military traffic.
The Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport was originally known as the Wichita Municipal Airport, which opened to general aviation traffic in 1953 and airline flights in 1954. It was renamed Wichita Air Force Base and then McConnell Air Force Base before becoming a civilian airport again in 1980. The terminal was dedicated on October 31, 1954, with two runways, and became Wichita Mid-Continent Airport in 1973.
In March 2014, the Wichita City Council approved changing the name to Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in honour of former US President, General, and Kansas native Dwight D. Eisenhower. The new terminal opened on June 3, 2015, and features a modern architectural design that showcases Wichita's prominent position in the aviation industry.
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Former names
Wichita, Kansas, has an airport named Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. The airport is also commonly referred to as Eisenhower National Airport or by its airport code, ICT.
The Wichita airport has had several former names throughout its history. Here is a list of its previous names, in chronological order:
- Wichita Municipal Airport (1935-1954): The original name of the airport when it first opened in 1935. It was a civil airport until the United States Air Force acquired it in 1951.
- Wichita Air Force Base: After the Air Force acquired the airport, it was renamed to reflect its new military status.
- McConnell Air Force Base: The airport was renamed again, but it is unclear when this change occurred. Today, the McConnell Air Force Base is located near the current Wichita airport.
- Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (1973/1974-2014: In the 1970s, the airport transitioned back to civilian use and was renamed Wichita Mid-Continent Airport. This name change occurred because Kansas City renamed its own Mid-Continent Airport to Kansas City International Airport.
- Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (2014-present): In March 2014, the Wichita City Council approved changing the name to honour former President, General, and Kansas native Dwight D. Eisenhower. The new name became official in November 2014.
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Location
Wichita, Kansas, is served by the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, which is located about 7 miles (11 km) west of downtown Wichita. The airport is situated south of US-54 in southwest Wichita and covers an area of 3,248 acres (1,314 ha), making it the largest and busiest airport in the state of Kansas.
The airport has a long history in the city of Wichita. The original Wichita Municipal Airport was constructed in the late 1920s and dedicated in 1935. During World War II, it hosted the Kansas National Guard 127th Observation Squadron. In the 1950s, the United States Air Force sought to establish a permanent military presence at the airport, leading to public hearings and the eventual construction of a new municipal airfield.
The current airport site was acquired in the 1950s, and airline flights began operating from the new location in 1954. The airport was initially named Wichita Mid-Continent Airport, reflecting its central location within the United States. This name was changed in 2014 to honour former US President and Kansas native, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The airport's official address is 2277 Airport Rd, Wichita, KS 67209.
The Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is conveniently located for travellers, with a quick 10-minute drive from downtown Wichita. It features a modern terminal that spans two levels, boasts 12 gates, and covers a total area of 272,000 to 273,000 square feet. The terminal offers free Wi-Fi and charging stations throughout, enhancing the experience of travellers passing through the airport.
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Aviation history
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, located 7 miles (11 km) west of downtown Wichita, Kansas, is the largest and busiest airport in the state. The airport covers 3,248 acres (1,314 ha) of land and contains three runways.
The history of aviation in Wichita can be traced back to the late 1920s. On June 28, 1929, the city held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wichita Municipal Airport, which was located about 6 miles (10 km) southeast of the older Wichita city limits. The construction of the administration building, now the Kansas Aviation Museum, began in June 1929 and was completed in 1935, with the airport officially dedicated on March 31 that year. During World War II, the Kansas National Guard 127th Observation Squadron was activated, becoming the first military unit assigned to the Wichita airport.
In the summer of 1950, the United States Air Force sought to establish a permanent military installation at the airport, leading to public hearings and the construction of a new municipal airfield. The Wichita Municipal Airport was then renamed the Wichita Air Force Base, and later, the McConnell Air Force Base. In 1953, the new airfield opened to general aviation traffic, and on April 1, 1954, airline flights moved to the new airport, which was dedicated on October 31 that year with two runways.
In 1973, the airport was renamed Wichita Mid-Continent Airport, after Kansas City changed the name of its airport from Mid-Continent Airport to Kansas City International Airport. This name change was implemented due to FCC regulations prohibiting airport codes from starting with "K" or "W," which were commonly used by radio stations at the time.
On March 4, 2014, the Wichita City Council approved changing the airport's name to Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to honour former President, General, and Kansas native, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The new terminal, located just west of the previous one, opened on June 3, 2015, with the previous terminal being demolished. The new terminal building is a modern architectural design, showcasing Wichita's prominent position in the aviation industry, with aviation-themed exhibits incorporated into its design.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Wichita, Kansas has an airport. The Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is located 7 miles (or 11km) west of downtown Wichita.
The airport code is ICT.
The airport was previously known as the Wichita Mid-Continent Airport from 1973 until 2014.
The Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport was constructed between October 2012 and June 2015. The airport opened in June 2015 with the new terminal, and the old terminal was demolished.
