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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 was opened in 1972 and has been growing ever since, with a new complex completed in 2023. The airport covers 10,680 acres (16.7 sq mi; 43.2 km2) and has three runways. Kansas City International Airport has also been known as Mid-Continent International Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Kansas City International Airport |
| Airport Code | MCI |
| Location | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Runway Length | 11,000 feet (Runway 1), 9,500 feet (Runway 2), 9,000 feet (Runway 3) |
| Elevation | 1,024 feet |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | 11 million (as of 2022) |
| Terminals | 3 |
| Airlines Served | Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Allegiant Air, and others |
| Parking | Yes, both terminal and economy parking options are available |
| Website | http://www.flykci.com/ |
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What You'll Learn
Kansas City International Airport's history
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is located in Platte County, Missouri, 15 miles (24 km) northwest of downtown Kansas City. The airport was originally called Mid-Continent International Airport, named after Mid-Continent Airlines, which served the Mid-Continent Oil Field.
The Great Flood of 1951 destroyed the facilities of both of Kansas City's airlines, Mid-Continent Airlines and TWA, at Fairfax Municipal Airport. In 1954, TWA signed an agreement to move its overhaul base to the airport, and the city was to build and own the $18 million base and lease it to TWA. However, the downtown airport remained Kansas City's passenger airport. In 1963, a Federal Aviation Agency memo criticised the downtown airport for being "one of the poorest major airports in the country for large jet aircraft", and it was doubtful that the downtown site could handle the new Boeing 747. In 1965, a Continental Airlines Flight overran the runway while landing at Kansas City Municipal Airport, and in 1966, voters approved a $150 million bond issue to move the city's main airport to an expanded Mid-Continent.
Kansas City International Airport opened in 1972, replacing Kansas City Municipal Airport (MKC). Since opening, MCI has more than doubled its footprint, from 4,500 acres to 10,680 acres today, and it is the sixth-largest commercial/public airport in the United States in terms of overall acreage. In 1994, a north/south parallel runway was built, allowing for simultaneous operations and further reducing delays. In 2001, the $258-million Terminal Improvement Project (TIP) began, but just months later, the 9/11 terrorist attacks took place, and the United States government founded the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to oversee the nation's airport security.
In 2019, Terminal A was demolished to make way for a new $1.5 billion terminal, which opened in 2023. The airport's new terminal features spacious gate areas, a large parking garage, and nearly 50 food and beverage options.
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The airport's former name
Kansas City International Airport (IATA: MCI, ICAO: KMCI, FAA LID: MCI) was originally called Mid-Continent International Airport. The airport opened in 1972 and replaced Kansas City Municipal Airport (MKC), with all scheduled passenger airline flights moved to MCI. The airport has been unable to change its original FAA location identifier of MCI for Mid-Continent, which had already been registered on navigational charts. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at the time reserved all call letters with "K" or "W" for radio and television stations, so KCI was not viable.
Kansas City International Airport has grown over the years, with a north-south parallel runway built in late 1994, allowing for simultaneous operations and further reducing delays. In 1996, a new control tower was added to keep up with the growing flight schedule and demands. The airport's site has expanded from 4,500 acres to over 10,000 acres today, excluding military airfields and general aviation airports.
MCI has served as the landing strip for the TWA overhaul base and as an alternate airport for the old Kansas City Municipal Airport. When Municipal was deemed too small and unable to grow, terminals and additional runways were built at what is now Kansas City International. The downtown airport was called "one of the poorest major airports in the country for large jet aircraft" in a 1963 Federal Aviation Agency memo, and it was recommended that no more federal money be spent on it. Jets had to make steep climbs and descents to avoid downtown skyscrapers, and the constant roar of aircraft engines could be heard downtown.
Kansas City International Airport is located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri. 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 and has three runways. In 2024, MCI set an all-time record with 12,121,778 passengers served, breaking the record set in 2000 with 11.9 million passengers.
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Transport options to and from the airport
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) offers a range of transport options for travellers to and from the airport. The airport is located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Kansas City, in Platte County, Missouri.
By Car
Kansas City's central location makes it easily accessible by interstates and highways. Driving from the airport to downtown Kansas City takes around 23 minutes for the 19-mile distance. There are several parking options at the airport, with designated drop-off and pick-up points at the departures and arrivals curb respectively.
By Bus
RideKC operates a bus service to and from Kansas City International Airport, with a route from Bogota at the KCI Site Eastbound to 12th Street between Baltimore and Main Eastbound. The bus departs hourly and the journey takes approximately 53 minutes. This is the cheapest way to travel to and from the airport.
By Shuttle
Several shuttle services offer transportation to and from the airport. These include free shuttle services to the Consolidated Rental Car Facility, as well as other shuttle companies that can be researched on the VisitKC website.
By Taxi or Limousine
Taxi and limousine services are also available, which can be called using your personal phone. Fares may be prorated when shared with other passengers.
By Ride Share
App-based ride-share services such as Iris, Lyft, Uber, or zTrip are available at the airport and can be accessed through mobile apps.
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The airport's ranking in the US
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 opened in 1972, replacing the Kansas City Municipal Airport (MKC) and has been expanding ever since.
The Airports Ranking in the US
The ranking of airports in the US is determined by various factors, including passenger traffic, cargo throughput, and flight volume. Here is a detailed overview of how US airports rank based on these criteria:
Passenger Traffic
The number of passengers travelling through an airport is a key indicator of its rank and significance. In 2023, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport topped the list with 50.9 million passengers, making it one of the busiest airports in the world. Los Angeles International Airport followed with 40.9 million passengers, and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport with 39.2 million passengers. Denver International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport also made it to the top five busiest airports in the US, serving 37.8 million and 35.8 million passengers, respectively.
Cargo Throughput
While passenger traffic is a critical factor, the ranking of airports also considers cargo throughput, or the amount of cargo passing through an airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ranks airports according to total cargo throughput in pounds. Airports with higher cargo throughput often have efficient cargo handling facilities and play a significant role in facilitating trade and commerce.
Flight Volume
The volume of flights, including arrivals and departures, is another factor influencing airport rankings. Airports with a higher flight volume are typically hubs for major airlines and offer a wide range of domestic and international connections. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, for instance, handles approximately 341,835 flights per year, averaging nearly 1,000 flights per day. This high flight volume contributes to its ranking as the busiest airport in the US.
Airport Size and Acreage
The size of an airport in terms of acreage is another factor to consider. Denver International Airport spans 33,531 acres, making it the largest airport in the US by area. It is followed by Dallas Fort Worth International Airport at 17,207 acres and Southwest Florida International Airport at 13,555 acres. While Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is not among the largest airports by acreage, it has expanded significantly since its opening, now covering 10,680 acres.
Reader Polls and Amenities
Subjective rankings, such as reader polls, can also influence an airport's reputation. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) was ranked as the top airport in a travel magazine's 2024 reader poll due to its ease of navigation, gate accessibility, and amenities like restaurants and shops. These factors contribute to a positive travel experience and can impact an airport's overall perception.
In summary, the ranking of airports in the US is determined by a combination of objective factors, such as passenger traffic, cargo throughput, and flight volume, as well as subjective evaluations of airport amenities and efficiency. These rankings help identify the busiest, largest, and most efficient airports in the country, contributing to the overall aviation landscape in the United States.
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Kansas City's other airport
Kansas City International Airport (IATA: MCI, ICAO: KMCI, FAA LID: MCI) is the main airport serving Kansas City, Missouri. It is located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri. The airport opened in 1972, replacing the Kansas City Municipal Airport (MKC), which was previously the city's passenger airport.
Kansas City International Airport has grown significantly since its opening, with its acreage more than doubling from 4,500 acres to over 10,000 acres today. The airport has three runways and serves the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, acting as the primary passenger airport for western Missouri and eastern Kansas.
In 2023, a new single terminal was opened at Kansas City International Airport, offering upgraded technology, locally-inspired amenities, and convenient gate access. The terminal features a modern design with dedicated arrival and departure levels, covered parking, moving walkways, and centralised customer service desks.
Kansas City also has another airport, known as the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport or Kansas City Wheeler Downtown Airport. This airport previously served as the main passenger airport for the city but was replaced by Kansas City International Airport in 1972 due to its limited capacity and inability to accommodate larger aircraft like the Boeing 747.
The Wheeler Downtown Airport is still operational and is owned and operated by the Kansas City Aviation Department, which also manages Kansas City International Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Kansas City International Airport.
MCI.
1 Kansas City Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64153.
There are several ways to get to the airport, including taxis, limousines, ride-share apps, and public transport.
