Kansas City International Airport

Kansas City International Airport {{airport codes|MCI|KMCI}} is an airport in Kansas City, Missouri, in Platte County.

Related Topics:
Kansas City - Missouri - Platte County

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This airport began life as a small reliever airport for what is now Kansas City Downtown Airport. The downtown airport was very convenient, but was not fit for the jet age, due to its short runway and proximity to the downtown area. In order to accommodate the more demanding jets, the city built the International Airport on the site of the reliever facility, and in 1973, the new airport opened for business. Almost all the airlines that were at the old facility moved to the new airport. This airport served as a hub for the now defunct Eastern Airlines, as well as Braniff Airlines (also out of business) and TWA (now part of American Airlines). Now MCI is a focus city of Midwest Airlines. MCI was a major service facility for TWA, but American retains a skeletal staff of 900 mechanics at the overhaul base. The airport was originally called Mid-Continent International, a fact that is especially confusing since the 'real' Mid-Continent Airport in Wichita, Kansas now uses the IATA code ICT.

Related Topics:
Kansas City Downtown Airport - 1973 - Eastern Airlines - Braniff Airlines - TWA - American Airlines - Midwest Airlines - Mid-Continent Airport - Wichita, Kansas

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MCI is a major airport, but serves more of a role as a "spoke" in the national airline network. At 10,000 acres (40 km²), it is one of the largest airfields in the United States. In addition to passenger service, the airport is an active general aviation field, and a very active cargo airport.

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