Roberta Aguirre
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 was opened in 1972 and has since doubled its footprint, now covering 10,680 acres (16.7 sq mi; 43.2 km2). It serves the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and is the primary airport for western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Kansas City International has undergone several transformations, with a new complex completed in 2023, featuring upgraded technology, a variety of amenities, and convenient gate access. The airport is committed to community engagement and has received awards for its concession program, showcasing the best of KC's flavours and traditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kansas City International Airport |
| IATA | MCI |
| ICAO | KMCI |
| FAA LID | MCI |
| Year opened | 1972 |
| Location | Platte County, Missouri |
| Distance from Downtown Kansas City | 15 miles (24 km) |
| Area | 10,680 acres (16.7 sq mi; 43.2 km2) |
| Number of runways | 3 |
| Number of gates | 40 |
| Parking spots | 6,100 |
| Parking garage capacity | 6,200 |
| Awards | Moodies 2023 Travel Journey award for Best Example of Community Engagement, Airport Excellence Awards |
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What You'll Learn
Kansas City International Airport
Kansas City International has always been a civilian airport and has never been assigned an Air National Guard unit. The airport has steadily recovered since the 2020 pandemic shutdown, with the number of peak-day scheduled aircraft departures increasing. The airport is owned and operated by the Kansas City Aviation Department, which is led by Melissa Cooper. The Aviation Department aims to provide outstanding airport services in a safe and cost-effective manner, supported wholly by airport user charges with no general tax fund revenues.
The new terminal at Kansas City International Airport showcases a modern design with abundant natural light and Kansas City's signature fountains. It houses a variety of shops and restaurants, including local brands, with a focus on KC's legendary barbecue. The terminal also boasts public art, showcasing works from 28 artists, including 19 with local ties. It has received accolades for its commitment to community engagement and its concession program, offering a range of options in food, retail, and services.
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History and development
Kansas City International Airport (IATA: MCI, ICAO: KMCI, FAA LID: MCI) is a public airport in Kansas City, Missouri. It is located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri. The airport was opened in 1972 and replaced the Kansas City Municipal Airport (MKC) in the same year, with all scheduled passenger airline flights moved from MKC to MCI.
The history of the airport can be traced back to the Great Flood of 1951, which destroyed the facilities of both of Kansas City's airlines, Mid-Continent Airlines and TWA, at Fairfax Municipal Airport. The Kansas City Municipal Airport was not as badly affected, but over time it became clear that it was too small and unable to grow, leading to the development of MCI.
In 1965, a runway incident involving Continental Airlines Flight 12 further highlighted the need for a new airport. The existing airport's runway was too short to meet regulatory runway safety area requirements. This led to a successful campaign by Mayor Ilus W. Davis for a new airport, with voters approving a $150 million bond issue in 1966.
Since its opening in 1972, MCI has more than doubled in size, from 4,500 acres to over 10,680 acres today, making it the sixth-largest commercial/public airport in the US in terms of acreage. The airport has always been a civilian airport and has never been assigned an Air National Guard unit.
In recent years, MCI has undergone significant development, with a new complex completed in 2023, featuring a single terminal with 39 new gates, 6,100 new parking spots, upgraded technology, and locally-inspired amenities. The new terminal offers a transformed passenger experience with improved navigation, dedicated arrival and departure levels, consolidated security checkpoints, and a spacious structure filled with natural light and Kansas City's signature fountains. The new terminal has received awards and recognition for its community engagement and concession programs, showcasing the best of KC's flavours, traditions, and cultural experiences.
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Passenger experience
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 serves the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and is the primary passenger airport for much of western Missouri and eastern Kansas.
Kansas City International Airport offers a seamless travel experience, from arrival to departure. The airport has a strong focus on providing a welcoming and enjoyable experience for its passengers, with initiatives such as live jazz performances in the Arrivals/Baggage Claim area.
The airport has a user-friendly website, FlyKC.com, which offers helpful resources for passengers, including real-time flight updates, how-to videos, virtual tours, and detailed guides for parking, drop-offs, and navigating terminal amenities. The website also provides travel tips, such as packing advice and airport procedures, to ensure a smooth journey.
Kansas City International Airport has efficient security screening processes, with an average wait time of just 1.6 minutes for TSA PreCheck and 3.5 minutes for standard screening. The airport utilizes CLEAR technology, allowing passengers to verify their identity with their eyes or fingers, streamlining the process of moving through security checkpoints. Additionally, the airport has implemented Amazon One technology, enabling passengers to make payments using their palm.
The airport also caters to the needs of families with children and neurodivergent individuals. It features a play zone presented by Variety Children's Charity of Greater Kansas City, offering a fun and safe space for children of all ages and abilities to play and unwind before boarding. The airport also includes a sensory room, designed to assist neurodivergent travellers who may feel overwhelmed in a busy airport environment.
Kansas City International Airport provides a range of dining options and convenient parking facilities, including a new 6,200-space garage adjacent to the terminal. The airport encourages travellers to arrive at least two hours before domestic departures and two and a half hours before international flights to ensure a smooth experience.
The airport has received numerous awards for its terminal and garage, recognising its design, functionality, and overall passenger experience.
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Awards and recognition
Kansas City International Airport (IATA: MCI, ICAO: KMCI, FAA LID: MCI) in Kansas City, Missouri, has received numerous awards and recognition for its excellence in various aspects of airport operations and development.
Awards for the New Terminal Project
The new terminal, which opened in February 2023, is the largest single infrastructure project in the city's history, covering over 1 million square feet. It has been recognised with multiple awards, including:
- Airport Business Project of the Year – Build KCI Single Terminal Program
- American Society of Civil Engineers Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award
- Heart of America Associated Builders and Contractors Excellence in Construction Awards Specialty–Over $4 Million Category – Signage and Landscaping Project
- Kansas City Industrial Council Sustainability Award Platinum for LEED Gold – New Terminal Project
- Kansas City Society of Association Executives Distinguished Community Leadership Award
Awards for Excellence in Airport Operations and Concessions
MCI has been recognised for its outstanding concessions program, which showcases local flavours and traditions. The awards include:
- Airport Experience News’ 2024 Airport Excellence Awards – Top Honours for Best Overall Concessions Program, Medium/Small Airports
- Airport Experience News’ 2024 Airport Excellence Awards – Best Local-Inspired Restaurant, Medium/Small Airports – The Kansas City BBQ Experience
- Airport Experience News’ 2024 Airport Excellence Awards – Best Casual Dining Concept, Medium/Small Airports – Brown & Loe
- Airport Experience News’ 2024 Airport Excellence Awards – Best Passenger Experience – Directors Cut Take II
- Moodies 2023 Travel Journey Award for Best Example of Community Engagement – Turn the Page KC by WHSmith
Awards for Marketing and Customer Experience
Kansas City International Airport has also been recognised for its effective marketing and customer experience initiatives:
- Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing Communications and Customer Experience Awards Category Winner – Radio Advertising – Grand Opening Campaign
- Public Relations Society of America Kansas City Prism Awards Gold Prism – Websites Category (flykc.com, flymkc.com, kcairports.com)
- Public Relations Society of America Kansas City Prism Awards Silver Prism – Special Events Category - Grand Opening Events
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Kansas City Aviation Department
The Kansas City Aviation Department owns and operates two airports: Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and Kansas City Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC). The department is an enterprise fund department of the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and is supported entirely by airport user charges. No general tax fund revenues are used for the administration, promotion, operation or maintenance of the airports in the system. The department is led by Melissa Cooper, who was named director of aviation in November 2023. The Kansas City Aviation Department employs a diverse and talented team of over 400 employees.
Kansas City International Airport (originally Mid-Continent International Airport) is a public airport in Kansas City, Missouri, located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri. The airport was opened in 1972 and a new complex was completed in 2023, replacing the old one. MCI replaced Kansas City Municipal Airport (MKC) in 1972, with all scheduled passenger airline flights moved from MKC to MCI. It serves the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and is the primary passenger airport for much of western Missouri and eastern Kansas. The airport covers 10,680 acres (16.7 sq mi; 43.2 km2) and has three runways. The airport has always been a civilian airport and has never been assigned an Air National Guard unit.
Kansas City Wheeler Downtown Airport is the secondary airport in Kansas City. It is located in the heart of the city and offers convenient access to the central business district and other popular destinations.
The Kansas City Aviation Department's mission is to provide outstanding airport services in a safe and cost-effective manner for the benefit of citizens, visitors, airlines and customers. The department has an Administration Division that provides leadership and management oversight to the Aviation Department. This division manages long-term planning, finance and personnel requirements for both airports. It also prepares reports, planning documents and other statutory requirements as needed by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, Government, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
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Frequently asked questions
Kansas City International Airport.
MCI.
Kansas City International Airport opened in 1972. A new complex was completed in 2023, replacing the old one.
Kansas City International Airport has a variety of shops and restaurants, including Made for KC BBQ Experience, Urban Café and Stockyards Brewing Co. The airport also features public art, a book and gift shop, and the Variety KC Inclusive Family Play Zone.
