Jazmin Li
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) was originally called Mid-Continent International Airport and was dedicated in October 1972. The airport was built to replace the Kansas City Municipal Airport (now Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport) after it was deemed too small to accommodate the growing demands of the aviation industry. The construction of the airport, which was influenced by TWA, was completed in 1972, and it became one of the country's largest airports at the time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kansas City International Airport |
| Former Name | Mid-Continent International Airport |
| Year of Construction | 1972 |
| Year of Renovation | 2023 |
| Date of Opening | February 28, 2023 |
| Number of Gates | 40 |
| Number of Parking Spots | 6,100 |
| Cost of Construction | $1.5 billion |
| Former Number of Gates | 31 |
| Former Number of Daily Departures | 120 |
| Current Number of Daily Departures | 150 |
| Former Terminal Style | Brutalist |
| Airlines | TWA, Braniff, Delta, Southwest Airlines |
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What You'll Learn
Kansas City International Airport opened in 1972
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) opened in 1972, replacing the Kansas City Municipal Airport (MKC) and becoming the primary airport for the city. The original airport was built after 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 was designed with room for 10,000-foot runways, which the downtown airport could not accommodate.
Kansas City International Airport was originally called Mid-Continent International Airport, and the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) adopted MCI as the airport's designator code. The airport was designed by the prominent Kansas City architectural firm of Kivett and Myers, with Burns & McDonnell, and featured a unique "Drive-to-your-gate" configuration, with flight gates just 75 feet from the roadway. This design was driven by TWA, which envisioned the airport as its hub.
In the years since its opening, Kansas City International Airport has undergone various improvements and expansions. In the late 1990s, a $258 million Terminal Improvement Project began to update the 1960s-era terminals. In 2020, the airport suspended all international flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2023, a new terminal opened, offering improved facilities and an enhanced travel experience. The new terminal features spacious gate areas, increased gate numbers, enhanced security checkpoints, and a large new parking garage.
Kansas City International Airport has played a significant role in the city's growth and development, providing essential aviation infrastructure. The airport has also been a hub for various airlines, including TWA, which was a pioneer in American aviation until 2001. The airport's convenient location and efficient design have contributed to its popularity among travellers, solidifying its place as a key transportation hub for the region.
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The airport was originally called Mid-Continent International Airport
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) was originally called Mid-Continent International Airport. The airport was opened in 1972, with a new complex completed in 2023, replacing the old one. The original airport was built after the Great Flood of 1951 destroyed the facilities of Kansas City's two airlines, Mid-Continent Airlines and TWA, at Fairfax Municipal Airport. Kansas City planned to build a new airport with room for 10,000-foot runways, and so construction began on what would become Kansas City International Airport.
The original MCI opened just before the FAA started mandating physical screenings of passengers in 1973. The airport never really made logistical sense in terms of security processes, restaurant placement, and square footage. However, it was one of the country's largest airports and served as the showplace for Trans World Airways (TWA), which was headquartered in Kansas City. TWA had a strong influence on the airport's design, envisioning it as its hub with 747s and Supersonic Transports. TWA also vetoed concepts that would have modelled the airport on Washington–Dulles and Tampa, deeming their people movers too expensive.
Kansas City International Airport was designed in the Brutalist style by the prominent Kansas City architectural firm of Kivett and Myers, with Burns & McDonnell. The airport's unique "'Drive-to-your-gate' configuration was the first of its kind worldwide, with flight gates 75 feet from the roadway. The single-level terminals had no stairs, similar to a plan that would later be built at Dallas/Fort Worth. Over the years, the Aviation Department determined that the terminals were in need of updating, and so a $258-million Terminal Improvement Project began in 2001.
In 2020, Kansas City International Airport suspended all international flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport's new terminal finally opened on February 28, 2023, with 40 gates and the ability to expand up to 50 in the future. The new terminal features spacious gate areas and nearly 50 food and beverage options. It also includes consolidated and flexible security checkpoints designed to accommodate changes in passenger volume. The new facility utilizes Amazon One, allowing people to pay using their palm.
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The airport was built after the Great Flood of 1951
In the summer of 1951, heavy rainfall in the Kansas River basin caused extensive flooding in the region. The Great Flood of 1951, as it came to be known, was one of the worst disasters in the history of the United States, with President Harry Truman declaring it "one of the worst this country has ever suffered from water". The flood caused unprecedented damage, with the death toll reaching 17, and over 500,000 people displaced. The economic impact was also significant, with damages exceeding $935 million (equivalent to $11.3 billion in 2024).
The Great Flood of 1951 had a profound impact on Kansas City, leading to the destruction of the city's stockyards and the facilities of its two airlines, Mid-Continent Airlines and TWA, at Fairfax Municipal Airport. In the aftermath of the flood, Kansas City was faced with the task of rebuilding and recovering from the extensive damage. This included the challenging decision to build a new airport, as the previous airport facilities had been severely affected by the flood.
The city had several options to consider for the location of the new airport. One option was to expand the existing Grandview Airport, located south of the city, which had ample room for expansion. However, influenced by Platte County native Jay B. Dillingham, president of the Kansas City Stockyards, the city ultimately decided to build a new airport north of the city, away from the Missouri River. This decision was influenced by the recent flood, as the city sought to minimise the risk of future flood damage.
The new airport, named Kansas City International Airport (MCI), was built with pride by the city and boasted jumbo jet runways and the world's first "drive-to-your-gate" design. It opened in 1972, replacing the old Kansas City Municipal Airport (MKC) and serving as the primary passenger airport for western Missouri and eastern Kansas. The airport has undergone various improvements and expansions over the years, including a new terminal that opened in February 2023, offering an enhanced travel experience for locals and tourists alike.
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The new terminal opened on February 28, 2023
On February 28, 2023, Kansas City International Airport (MCI) opened its new terminal, replacing the airport's outdated trio of Brutalist concrete terminals, which had been in operation since 1972. The new terminal, which cost $1.5 billion, features spacious gate areas, nearly 50 food and beverage options, 40 gates (expandable to 50), two moving walkways, and a new 6,200-space garage. The terminal was designed with inclusivity in mind, boasting ADA-compliant counters, adult and baby changing tables, and visual paging boards for deaf passengers. The design also showcases the local community, with art installations featuring Missouri blue birds and floor mosaics salvaged from one of the old terminals.
The opening of the new terminal marked the permanent closure of the old terminals B and C. Kansas City International Airport was originally called Mid-Continent International Airport, and it served as the landing strip for the Trans World Airlines (TWA) overhaul base. The original airport was built after 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, built north of the city away from the Missouri River, was designed with room for 10,000-foot runways.
Kansas City International Airport has undergone several transformations over the years. In the late 1990s, a $258 million Terminal Improvement Project began to update the 1960s-era terminals. In 2004, a renovation was completed to increase the size of structural bays and provide larger spaces for concessions, retail, and seating. The airport also suspended all international flights in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the number of daily departures has been steadily recovering since.
The new terminal opening in 2023 is well-timed, with Kansas City hosting several major sporting events in the coming years, including the 2023 NFL Draft and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The terminal showcases a polished and impressive design while also incorporating charming nods to its home city. It is a testament to Kansas City's growth and transformation into a world-class destination.
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The airport is located 15 miles northwest of Downtown Kansas City
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri. The airport was built after the Great Flood of 1951 destroyed the facilities of Kansas City's two airlines, Mid-Continent Airlines and TWA, at Fairfax Municipal Airport. The new airport was built north of the city, away from the Missouri River, following lobbying by Platte County native Jay B. Dillingham, president of the Kansas City Stockyards, which had also been destroyed in the flood.
Before the construction of Kansas City International Airport, two other airports served as the primary airports for the city. In 1928, the Fairfax Industrial Airport opened in Kansas City, Kansas, becoming the home of the Trans World Airlines (TWA) overhaul base. The following year, the Municipal Airport (now the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport) opened and became the headquarters for TWA. However, by the late 1960s, the Municipal Airport ran out of space. As a result, Kansas City International Airport was built and opened in 1972, replacing the old Municipal Airport.
Kansas City International Airport was originally called Mid-Continent International Airport, and the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) adopted MCI as the airport's designator code. The airport was designed in the Brutalist style by the prominent Kansas City architectural firm of Kivett and Myers, with Burns & McDonnell. It featured three terminals (A, B, and C) with a unique "Drive-to-your-gate" configuration, allowing flights to be just 75 feet (23 m) from the roadway. This design was driven by TWA, which envisioned the airport as its hub.
Over the years, Kansas City International Airport has undergone various improvements and expansions. In the late 1990s, a $258-million Terminal Improvement Project was initiated to update the 1960s-era terminals. More recently, in 2023, a new $1.5 billion terminal opened, replacing the outdated trio of Brutalist concrete terminals. The new terminal features spacious gate areas, nearly 50 food and beverage options, and separate levels for curbside departures and arrivals. It initially opened with 40 gates, up from the previous 31, with the ability to expand up to 50 gates in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
Kansas City International Airport was built in 1972.
The new terminal opened on February 28, 2023.
Kansas City International Airport replaced Kansas City Municipal Airport (MKC).
Kansas City International Airport was built after the Great Flood of 1951 destroyed the facilities of Kansas City's airlines, Mid-Continent Airlines and TWA, at Fairfax Municipal Airport.
