By Steve Bell
KANSAS CITY, MO – Travelers who have been concerned about losing the convenience of the three-terminal system at Kansas City International Airport (KCI) can relax. If it happens, it won't be anytime soon. The city's aviation director and a consultant reported to the City Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today, and though they did present three long-term alternatives for KCI, committee chair Ed Ford said nothing will be decided for another ten years.
"They believe that the current terminals will become obsolete within twenty years. And the preference so far from the consultant team seems to be recommending that we go to a one-terminal system at that point in time," Ford said.
Ford said the proposals are part of a routine forecasting and planning process required every ten years by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The most recent study found problems beginning to develop like the inability of very large aircraft to taxi to the terminals. But the major concerns regard increased traffic and airline mergers. Consultants say that in 20 years, the city would either need a fourth terminal or a completely new airport. Consultants favor a new airport because of the need for central security screening, the cost of moving passengers between terminals and the necessity of building separate light rail stops for each terminal.