Kansas City, Missouri, officials reflect on successes, concerns of new KCI terminal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, officers mirrored on the successes and addressed issues of the brand new Kansas Metropolis Worldwide Airport terminal Monday morning, almost three weeks after its launch.

“That is such an thrilling second for Kansas Metropolis,” Metropolis Supervisor Brian Platt mentioned. “That is by far the very best flying expertise within the nation proper now. That is essentially the most lovely and considerate airport I’ve ever been to on this nation.”

Since opening its gates on Feb. 28, the brand new KCI terminal has screened over 300,000 passengers.

“We’re seeing unimaginable exercise right here at KCI, Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas mentioned. “We’re seeing extra people who find themselves spending cash.”

Lucas celebrated the rise in new flights coming to and from KCI following the opening of the brand new terminal.

Among the many additions is new nonstop service to Lengthy Seashore, California, from Southwest Airways. The airline is also restoring nonstop service to Indianapolis and Albuquerque, New Mexico in April, in addition to to Milwaukee, San Antonio and Minneapolis-Saint Paul Worldwide Airport.

Solar Nation Airways can even be becoming a member of KCI as a brand new airline companion, which additionally affords flights to Minneapolis.

Lucas additionally mentioned there will likely be worldwide flights going to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and “many” locations in Mexico together with Cabo San Lucas and Cancún.

“The brand new KCI terminal offers us a possibility for brand spanking new flights, new enterprise,” Lucas mentioned.

He additionally touted the environment friendly safety wait occasions on the airport, stating that the typical wait time via safety is 4.2 minutes.

“That’s distinctive,” Lucas mentioned. “I feel we’re seeing that effectivity that individuals have recognized for generations at KCI nonetheless being aside of it.”

Lucas additionally mentioned that the concessioners on the airport have been profitable, incomes over $3 million in gross sales throughout over 150,000 transactions since opening.

Platt mentioned that $3 million is staying in Kansas Metropolis, as a result of presence of native companies within the terminal.

“One of many coolest issues about this airport is the illustration of Kansas Metropolis that we have right here, Platt mentioned. “We have 50 storefronts, and 80% of them are native small companies. We’re reflecting our metropolis and celebrating our metropolis in a method that no different airport does.”

One native enterprise within the terminal is Administrators Reduce Take 2 Barbershop, which proprietor Armon Lasker says is one in all 5 barbershops within an airport.

“This airport is superb, and with us having the native companies, it speaks quantity to what Kansas Metropolis is making an attempt to do,” Lasker mentioned. “Has it been all roses? No, however I would not commerce this expertise for something on the earth.”

Kansas Metropolis officers additionally acknowledged that the opening of a brand new terminal hasn’t come with no few hiccups.

These behind the terminal are working to handle site visitors congestion across the single terminal.

In response to site visitors issues, Lucas says new site visitors management officers have been employed to assist hold automobiles shifting across the pick-up and drop-off areas.

There may be additionally extra seen signage that has been carried out round terminal to assist information site visitors.

Drivers within the space are requested to attend within the mobile phone lot or to park within the storage, and to not create lengthy strains across the terminal, whereas ready for a passenger to reach.

“The best way we deal with all these completely different site visitors points is working collectively,” Lucas mentioned.

KCMO councilman Dan Fowler additionally mentioned one other grievance in regards to the terminal town has acquired is scuffing on the flooring.

“If scuffing on the flooring is the most important grievance we have, we’re doing actually, actually good folks,” Fowler mentioned.

Lucas mentioned extra individuals are being employed to assist hold the terminal clear.

“We proceed to rent extra of us to verify we’re buffing the flooring, cleansing the bogs, including extra cleaning soap to the dispensers,” he mentioned.

KSHB 41 Information Reporter Charlie Keegan additionally requested metropolis officers about studies from the general public on concessioners not being open, or not providing all of their menu gadgets.

Lucas mentioned simply three weeks in the past KCI had a terminal with “severely curtailed” concessions and is adjusting to the rise in demand, and that each one concessioners are staffing up and ensuring they’ve sufficient provides to handle the demand.

“I feel of us are seeing as we get adjusted, issues will likely be nice,” Lucas mentioned.

KCMO Aviation Director Pat Klein additionally clarified that not each concession is open 24 hours a day. He mentioned the primary 15 outlets open at 4 a.m., earlier than a second wave of retailers open at 6 a.m. and the ultimate group of concessions open by 10 a.m. Most concessions stay open till 11 p.m., however will keep open if flights come into the terminal later.

Klein additionally mentioned there have not been main baggage delays, although there have been some small points behind the scenes. He says with model new programs they often do not work as designed, and it’s all fingers on-deck to repair them.

Platt thanked the Kansas Metropolis Aviation Division for working to always enhance the airport as they obtain suggestions from the general public.

“The couple of minor points that we have had over the primary couple of weeks right here, we have resolved, and improved, and we’re constructing on that success,” Platt mentioned. “We’re making enhancements and we will proceed to try this. Nothing is ideal in any second at any time.”