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Kansas City International Airport (IATA: MCI, ICAO: KMCI, FAA LID: 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 (16.7 sq mi; 43.2 km2) and has three runways. It opened in 1972 and a new complex was completed in 2023. Kansas City Downtown Airport (MKC) is another airport located just across the Missouri River from Kansas City's business centre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kansas City International Airport |
| IATA | MCI |
| ICAO | KMCI |
| FAA LID | MCI |
| Location | Northwest of Downtown Kansas City, Platte County, Missouri |
| Distance from Downtown Kansas City | 15 miles (24 km) |
| Year opened | 1972 |
| Year new complex completed | 2023 |
| Previous name | Mid-Continent International Airport |
| Acres | 10,680 |
| Ranking (commercial/public airport) | 6th |
| Former hubs | Braniff, Eastern, Midwest, Trans World, Vanguard |
| Number of runways | 3 |
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What You'll Learn
Kansas City International Airport
The airport was originally known as Mid-Continent International Airport, named for Mid-Continent Airlines, which had its facilities destroyed in the Great Flood of 1951. The airline's headquarters were in Kansas City, and it served the Mid-continent Oil Field, hence the name. Before the construction of the airport, Kansas City's passenger airport was located downtown, but its cramped site raised doubts about its ability to accommodate larger aircraft like the Boeing 747. The downtown airport's proximity to skyscrapers and the Missouri River bluffs also posed challenges for aircraft navigation.
In the 1950s, Kansas City planned to build a new airport with longer runways, and after considering expanding the southern Grandview Airport, they opted to build a new airport north of the city, away from the Missouri River. Ground was broken in September 1954, and the first runway opened in 1956. TWA, which had its overhaul base in Fairfax, moved its operations to the new airport.
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Kansas City Downtown Airport
In the early 1960s, the airport was deemed "the most dangerous major airport in the country" in an FAA memo due to the need for airplanes to avoid the 200-foot (60 m) Quality Hill and the Downtown Kansas City skyline south of the main runway's south end. This led to the construction of a new airport, the Kansas City International Airport (MCI), which opened in 1972, resulting in the relocation of all scheduled passenger airline flights from MKC to MCI.
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Airport history
Kansas City International Airport (IATA: MCI, ICAO: KMCI, FAA LID: MCI) is the primary airport serving Kansas City, Missouri. It is located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri. The airport, which first opened in 1972, covers 10,680 acres (16.7 sq mi; 43.2 km2) and has three runways.
The history of aviation in Kansas City dates back to the 1920s. On August 17, 1927, a crowd of 25,000 people gathered at the site of the present-day Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport to dedicate Municipal Airport. Among the speakers at the event was famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, who landed his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, at the airport, marking the beginning of a new era of aviation in the city. The development of Municipal Airport was largely due to the efforts of Lou Holland, who had been president of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce since 1925. The airport's name was changed to Kansas City Downtown Airport in October 1977 and was later rededicated in August 2002 as Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport in honour of the Kansas City mayor who served from 1971 to 1979.
Kansas City International Airport was built at the Mid-Continent site following the Great Flood of 1951, which destroyed the facilities of Kansas City's two airlines, Mid-Continent Airlines and TWA, at Fairfax Municipal Airport. The new airport, which cost $250 million to build, featured an innovative "Drive to Your Gate" design, allowing passengers to park near the circular terminals and walk a short distance to their gates. It was the third-largest airport in the United States in terms of land area at the time of its opening. Since then, it has more than doubled in size and now ranks sixth in the nation for commercial/public airports, excluding military airfields and general aviation airports.
Over the years, Kansas City International Airport has undergone several renovations and expansions. In March 2019, the airport began construction on a new single terminal, which opened in 2023, replacing the old complex. Designed by SOM Architects, the $1.5 billion project was the largest single infrastructure project in Kansas City's history. The new terminal features a modern design and improved amenities, enhancing the airport's functionality and passenger experience.
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Transport to/from the airport
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) offers various transport options for travellers to and from the airport. The airport is easily accessible by road, with connections to all interstate highways serving the metropolitan area and other major thoroughfares.
Parking
Kansas City International Airport provides several parking options, including an Economy Parking Lot with over 15,000 spaces, offering convenience and great prices. The airport also offers designated drop-off and pick-up areas for passengers. Drop-off is located on the upper level at the departures curb, while pick-up is on the lower level at the arrivals curb.
Public Transport
RideKC provides a free daily bus service to and from the airport. The bus stop is located at the Boardwalk-KCI transfer station, and passengers can refer to the Kansas City International route map for more details.
Shuttle Services
Several companies offer shuttle services to and from the airport, including SuperShuttle Express and 5 Guys Transportation LLC. These shuttle services provide door-to-door transportation to the airport and surrounding areas. SuperShuttle Express offers a range of vehicle options, including black cars, SUVs, and private vans, ensuring a flexible and dependable travel experience. 5 Guys Transportation provides a non-shared, private service, ensuring personalised attention for travellers.
Taxi Services
Taxis are readily available at the airport, and passengers can call a taxi using their phones by dialling 816-243-2345. Taxi fares may be prorated when shared rides are requested and agreed upon by all passengers.
App-based Ride Services
App-based ride services like Iris, Lyft, Uber, and zTrip are also available at Kansas City International Airport. These services can be conveniently booked through mobile applications.
Rental Cars
The airport hosts several car rental facilities, with frequent free shuttle services operating between the terminal and the rental car facility. The rental car stops are located on the commercial curb and are easily identifiable with overhead signs.
Kansas City International Airport provides a range of transportation options to suit different traveller needs, ensuring convenient and efficient access to and from the airport.
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Airport facilities
Kansas City International Airport (MCI), also known as KCI, is located near Interstate 29 and Interstate 435. The airport has a range of facilities to accommodate travellers, with a focus on accessibility and convenience.
For transportation, MCI provides a consolidated rental car facility, with a shuttle bus service operated by First Transit and REM Inc. serving each terminal. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority also offers a public bus service to and from Downtown Kansas City, while private shuttle services connect the airport to regional cities and military bases. Limousine services are available, and passengers can utilise ride-sharing options from the commercial curb on Level 1. Additionally, MCI has ample parking options, including over 15,000 spaces in the Economy Parking Lot and a new 6,200-space garage near the terminal. Parking for passengers with disabilities is available in all airport-operated lots, and accessible shuttle buses serve the rental car centre.
In terms of dining and shopping, MCI offers nearly 50 food and beverage options, including local businesses, following the opening of the new terminal in 2023. The airport also features retail and concession spaces, with improvements made to provide a more spacious experience. However, it is noted that MCI does not have duty-free shops or smoking lounges, and smoking is restricted to designated areas outside the terminal.
Other notable facilities include nine nursing rooms located across the terminal and concourses. Additionally, MCI was one of the first airports in the United States to implement full-body scanners for security, and it offers a convenient "Drive to Your Gate" feature with gates just 75 feet from the roadway. The airport also provides assistance through its Ambassador programme, with ambassadors identifiable by their red blazers and ready to provide directions and answer inquiries.
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Frequently asked questions
Kansas City International Airport.
MCI.
Kansas City International Airport was opened in 1972.
Kansas City International Airport covers 10,680 acres.
Kansas City Downtown Airport (MKC) is another airport in Kansas City.
