Airports In Kansas: How Many Are There?

Kansas has a total of 41 airports, including eight international, regional, and general aviation airports offering scheduled flights. The largest airport in the state is Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, which also ranks as the 103rd largest airport in the US. This airport is located about 10 km west of the capital city and is served by seven airlines, with American, Delta, and United offering most flights.

Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport

The airport is also referred to as Eisenhower National Airport, or by its former name, Mid-Continent Airport. Its airport code is ICT, which is an abbreviation for Wichita. The ICT designation is also used as a nickname for the city of Wichita.

The airport is the site of the Cessna headquarters and main manufacturing plant, as well as a Bombardier service centre for Learjet and other business jet aircraft. It is served by seven airlines, with American, Delta, and United offering the most flights. All departures are to domestic locations, with Dallas and Atlanta being the most common destinations.

The airport was renamed in honour of former US President and Kansas native, Dwight D. Eisenhower, in 2014. The new terminal opened on June 3, 2015, and is a modern architectural design expressing Wichita's prominent position in the aviation industry. The terminal features enlarged ticketing and baggage claim areas, an upper-level concourse with departure lounges and concessions, enhanced security screening, and a covered curb with separate lanes for private and commercial vehicles.

Manhattan Regional Airport

Kansas has eight international, regional, and general aviation airports that offer scheduled flights. The busiest airport in Kansas is Wichita Airport, followed by the smaller Manhattan Regional Airport and Garden City Airport.

The airport's history dates back to 1939 when construction began on temporary grass runways. It was officially dedicated in November 1940, and the first terminal, named "Manhattan Municipal Airport," opened in April 1953. The current terminal opened in two phases between 2015 and 2016, with expanded facilities for ticketing, baggage claim, car rental, and security screening. The airport covers 680 acres at an elevation of 1,066 feet and features two concrete runways, five taxiways, and two parking aprons.

The airport has a variety of facilities to support its operations, including an FBO facility occupied by Kansas Air Center, providing fuel, charter services, flight instruction, and aircraft rental and management. Additionally, there is a fire station, 48 hangars, storage areas, a fuel farm, and an air traffic control tower.

Garden City Regional Airport

Kansas has eight international, regional, and general aviation airports, including the Garden City Regional Airport. Located nine miles southeast of Garden City in Finney County, the Garden City Regional Airport (IATA: GCK, ICAO: KGCK, FAA LID: GCK) offers flights to the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport (DFW) through American Airlines, serviced by Envoy Air. The airport is categorized as a primary commercial service airport and is one of the busiest in Kansas.

During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces used the Garden City Airport as a training airfield. Known as the Garden City Army Airfield, the facility closed in November 1945 and was later redeveloped into the Garden City Regional Airport by civil authorities. The airport's history as a former Army Airfield made it important during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks when three large jets were ordered to land there.

The Garden City Regional Airport covers 1,848 acres at an elevation of 2,891 feet. It has two concrete runways: 17/35, which is 7,299 by 100 feet, and 12/30, which is 5,700 by 100 feet. In the year ending June 30, 2020, the airport recorded 15,003 aircraft operations, averaging 41 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (79%), followed by air taxi (20%), and military (1%). As of December 2021, 62 aircraft were based at the airport, including 53 single-engine, 5 multi-engine, and 4 jet planes.

Passengers checking luggage are advised to arrive 90 minutes before departure, while those with carry-on luggage should arrive 60 minutes early. The ticket counter closes 45 minutes prior to departure. Round-trip flight prices from the Garden City Regional Airport start at $430, with one-way flights available from $255.

Kansas's busiest airports

Kansas has a total of eight international, regional, and general aviation airports offering scheduled flights. The busiest of these is the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, located about 10 km west of the capital city. The airport is served by seven airlines, with American, Delta, and United offering the most flights. All departures are to domestic locations, mostly to Dallas and Atlanta. Passengers can use shuttles, taxis, or car rentals to get to the airport.

The Wichita airport is followed by the smaller Manhattan Regional Airport, located 8 km from the nearby city of Manhattan. This airport is served by American Eagle.

The third-busiest airport in Kansas is the Garden City Regional Airport, located 14 km from Garden City. This airport is also served by American Eagle.

Other busy airports in Kansas include the Topeka Forbes Airport, Hays Regional Airport, Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport, Salina Regional Airport, and Dodge City Regional Airport. These airports offer a mix of domestic and charter flights, served by major US airlines or smaller regional carriers.

The Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is not only the busiest in Kansas but also ranks as the 103rd largest airport in the United States. It offers nonstop service to 16 destinations and has daily flights to about 975 domestic and 90 international cities with one stop. The airport provides convenient amenities such as dining options, shopping, and free WiFi, making it a comfortable and efficient travel hub for passengers.

The 7 major airports

Kansas has a total of 41 airports, eight of which are international, regional, or general aviation airports offering scheduled flights. The seven major airports in the state are:

Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport

The largest airport in Kansas, Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, is located about 10 km west of the capital city. It is served by seven airlines, with American, Delta, and United offering the most flights. All departures are to domestic locations, with Dallas and Atlanta being the most common destinations. The airport offers convenient amenities such as shuttles, taxis, car rentals, ATMs, game rooms, snack bars, gift shops, restaurants, retail shops, a business and conference center, free WiFi, a Shoe Shine counter, and skycap services.

Manhattan Regional Airport

Manhattan Regional Airport is located 8 km from the nearby city of Manhattan. It is served by American Eagle.

Garden City Regional Airport

Garden City Regional Airport is a city-owned, public-use airport located in Finney County, Kansas, about 14 km southeast of Garden City. It is mostly used for general aviation, but it is also served by one commercial airline, American Eagle.

Topeka Forbes Airport

Topeka Forbes Airport is located 14 km from Garden City.

Hays Regional Airport

Hays Regional Airport is located just 5 km from Hays and is served by United Express.

Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport

Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport is located a short distance of 3.5 km from Liberal and is served by United Express.

Salina Regional Airport

Salina Regional Airport is located 5 km from Salina and is served by United Express.

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