PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: February 28, 2023
Today, February 28, 2023, Kansas City International Airport’s new 40-gate terminal opened for commercial air service just over 50 years after the airport and its three terminals began serve Kansas City. At just over one million square feet and a budget of $1.5 billion, the new terminal is the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history. Design and construction efforts for the new terminal began in 2018 and the project began in March 2019.
The opening was commemorated in advance with a ribbon cutting Feb. 27 led by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and featuring U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Congressman from Missouri , Emanuel Cleaver, Governor of Missouri, Mike Parson, Lieutenant Governor of Kansas, David Toland, Director of Kansas City. of Aviation Pat Klein, and Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate Senior Managing Director Geoff Stricker.
The Kansas City Fire Department’s Aviation and Firefighting Unit greeted the first flight arriving Feb. 28 with a “water salute.”
“In many ways, this airport is a model for similar efforts across the country. Not only did you deliver the biggest infrastructure project this city has ever seen, but you did it on time and on budget, while supporting over 5,000 construction jobs and working with more than around 100 women and minority-owned businesses,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “I am grateful for the tireless work that all of the leaders here have put into making this project possible for Kansas City. And I look forward to continuing our work to transform the nation’s airports for the better.
“This terminal is a new gateway for the people of Kansas City, for everyone in our area, in Missouri and Kansas. We are on time, actually a day ahead, and on budget,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. “Through this project, thousands of Missourians and Kansans have secured jobs and built new careers. Through this project, we will bring millions, if not billions, of dollars of new economic development to Missouri and Kansas. Through this project, we will build generations more of exceptional memories here at KCI. This project is thanks to you.
“I would like to thank all the stakeholders who have participated in this project over the past ten years. I want to thank the community because this asset is yours and our staff appreciates you,” said Pat Klein, Director of Aviation.
“What a historic day for Kansas City. As developer of the new terminal project, I have had the privilege of working alongside the exceptional men and women of this project team for more than five years. I am proud to to be here and say together that we made it,” said Geoffrey Stricker, Senior Managing Director at Edgemoor. “This new terminal is a testament to the hard work, exceptional craftsmanship of over 300 companies and 6,500 workforce members who made up a project team. This is the start of an exciting new journey for this region. Forged through teamwork, determination and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional results. This new terminal is proof that major projects are built on major partnerships. Together we have accomplished what many thought was impossible.
The new terminal supports more efficient flight operations and allows airport users to enjoy the convenience of modern air travel in a facility with updated technology and equipment.
The terminal features spacious boarding areas, nearly 50 local and national foods and beverages, and shopping experiences. The facility opens with 40 gates and the possibility of expanding up to 50 gates in the future. Two moving walkways speed up transfers between the two concourses to make navigating the airport a better experience. Consolidated and flexible security checkpoints with 16 lanes have been designed to accommodate the ebb and flow of passenger volume. The new 6,200 space garage is adjacent to the terminal with plenty of covered parking spaces nearby.
Planners worked to make the new terminal the most accessible airport terminal in the United States with gradual inclines, a Variety KC inclusive play area for children of all abilities, sensory and quiet rooms for those with sensory disorders, infant feeding rooms and relief for service animals. areas. The Kansas City Air Travel Experience is a partial airliner suitable for people with anxiety or other conditions that may make them afraid to fly.
All amenities are accessible to passengers of all airlines. A few of the amenities include:
- Bi-level drop-off and curbside pickup design separates vehicular traffic
- Spacious check-in hall with airline check-in
- Centralized security screening area with 16 lanes including PreCheck and CLEAR kiosks
- Double-sided halls making air connections much easier than in the old terminals
- All-glass boarding bridges
- Enhanced food and beverage options with a distinct and authentic sense of place and global brand
- Permanent and “rotating” barbecue restaurants
- Centralized help desks for customer service
- Entertainment show spaces
- Largest One Percent for Art project in KC history by local and international artists
- Installing History
- USO military
- Large international arrivals area
- High-end lounges
- Graceful crowd flow
- Airfield views
- Device charging stations, including wireless charging for phones
- Gender-specific, all-gender, and family restrooms with stall availability lighting
- The garage features pit availability lighting, electric vehicle charging, speed ramps, and more.
- Lower level arrivals area with private vehicle lanes and commercial vehicle lanes
- Wireless inductive charging for economical all-electric parking buses
The last flights in the old terminals were on February 27 at 10:25 p.m., a Southwest Airlines departure to Chicago and a Delta Air Lines arrival on February 28 at 12:38 a.m. from Salt Lake City. The first departure and arrival at the new terminal on February 28 was by Southwest Airlines, with a 5:00 a.m. departure to Chicago-Midway and a 7:40 a.m. arrival from Chicago-Midway.
The building’s official plaque was dedicated by former Mayor Sly James, Mayor Quinton Lucas and Director of Aviation Pat Klein. As the terminal has achieved LEED Gold certification, a plaque acknowledging this milestone was dedicated by Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Meg McAllister, President and CEO of the US Green Building Council, Peter Templeton, Kansas City City Manager Brian Platt, and Aviation Director Pat Klein. The international arrivals area was dedicated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Operations Director Lafonda Sutton-Burke and Aviation Director Pat Klein. Other grand opening events were held at the USO, Vantage Airport Group City Market concession area and Variety KC inclusive playground. Some of the airlines held their own grand opening celebrations.
The opening of the new terminal marks the end of the three-terminal complex which opened over 50 years ago on November 11, 1972. Terminal A was razed to make way for the construction of the new terminal and garage, and terminals B and C remained in operation. They officially end with the opening of the New Terminal. The two old terminals will be razed. The Terminal B garage will remain and serve as employee parking and the Terminal C garage will be used for public parking in the future.
Led by developer Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate and design-build partner Clark | Weitz | Clarkson, the Build KCI project has generated up to 6,000 construction-related jobs. More than 240 Kansas City-area businesses worked on the project along with more than 130 minority and women-owned business partners. The project is financed using 100% tax-exempt debt – the most cost-effective approach for the project.
New information about the Terminal project is available on BuildKCI.com. The Kansas City Airport System is a corporate fund department of the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and is funded entirely by airport user fees. No tax revenue from the general fund is used for the administration, promotion, operation or maintenance of airports in the system. Visit FlyKC.com for more information.