January/February 2024 - 18

PROJECTS OF THE YEAR NEW TERMINAL
Build KCI Single
Terminal Program
O
THE $1.5 billion, 1.1 million-square-foot
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
terminal opened Feb. 28, 2023.
Originally built in 1972, MCI was
comprised of three terminals, featuring
two horseshoe-shaped buildings -
each 2,200 linear feet by 72 feet deep.
However, 50 years after being built, the
terminal was in need of an update.
To overcome a lack of efficiencies
posed by the original airport's design,
a new terminal at MCI has been
constructed.
The new design features one terminal
(instead of the three) and is comprised
of 39 glass boarding bridges - the most
all-glass boarding bridges in the United
States - more than 50 concession areas
with 80 percent being locally based in
Kansas City, and $5.7 million of public
art from 28 different, international artists
with 75 percent of those having ties to
Kansas City.
f Location: Kansas City International
Airport (MCI). Kansas City, Missouri
f Project: Build KCI Single Terminal
Program
fCompletion: Feb, 28, 2023
fKey Participants: Kansas City
International Airport (MCI), Paslay
Group, Clark | Weitz | Clarkson (CWC),
Skidmore Owings Merrill (SOM),
Vantage Airport Group, and Edgemoor
Infrastructure & Real Estate
fCost: $1.5B
In the old terminals, systems such as
security screening and baggage handling
were separate, which prevented operations
continuity in the event of staffing or
mechanical issues. Connecting passengers
were forced to wait in spaces with no
food or seating unless they exited secured
areas and later passed through security
screening a second time.
Kansas City Aviation Department
Director of Aviation Melissa Cooper said
passengers had a love-hate relationship
with the 1972 terminals.
" There was a certain convenience of
parking almost at the curb and walking a
short distance through cramped security
lines to the narrow concourses. But air
travelers complained about the limited
restrooms, few concessions, and lack of
modern amenities - and the aging design
prevented significant improvements, "
Cooper said.
The new terminal was designed with
the future in mind. The H-shaped terminal
spans two levels and is supported
by a 6,220-space parking garage
and separate roadways for departing
and arriving passengers. The upper
Departures level includes a large checkin
hall with all airline ticket counters,
16 security screening lanes, two concourses
linked by a connector with
moving walkways, 50-plus shops and
restaurants, and many other ameni18
\ AIRPORT BUSINESS / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024
JEFF ROBERTS/MCI
ties. Most terminal services are now
located post-security so that passengers
have access to all amenities. The
lower Arrivals level area features eight
baggage carousels served by a shared
control system for redundancy, a customer
service desk, a military USO,
and a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol
area for international flights. The
Kansas City Aviation Department
retained Paslay Group of Fort Worth,
Texas, in 2018 to serve as Executive
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January/February 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January/February 2024
