Kansas City International Airport (KCI)

People flying out of Kansas City International Airport don’t need to worry about any lingering effects of the government shutdown. An airport spokesperson said flights are back on track and they’re expecting fewer travelers this year.

The free bus service connecting the Overland Park Convention Center and Lenexa City Center to the airport will run from March to November next year. The aim is to connect World Cup travelers to local hotels and events, but the service is open to everyone.

Most air traffic controllers in the Kansas City area were already working 60-hour weeks before the government shutdown. Now, they’re working the same hours without pay. They assure travelers that the skies are safe, but it’s adding stress to an already intense job.

Kansas City International is not one of the 40 airports expected to be subject to air traffic reductions due to the government shutdown. But the Kansas City Aviation Department says travelers will likely see cancelations or delays because most affected airports are served nonstop from MCI.

The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce air traffic at many busy airports to maintain safety during the government shutdown, which has led to staffing shortages of air traffic controllers.

A dozen facilities saw air traffic control shortages on Monday, delaying flights at several airports — although Kansas City's MCI hasn't seen major impacts yet. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed "a slight tick-up in sick calls" due to the shutdown.

After Lee's Summit leaders announced plans to change the name of their airport to the "Greater Kansas City Regional Airport," Kansas City Council approved its own plans to establish a policy around the use of the name "Kansas City."

The limited edition Jazz Bird ornaments are a miniature version of the dozen floating sculptures, made entirely from alto saxophones, featured in the Kansas City Airport. Sculptor Willie Cole says creating these minis took almost as long as the original.

City Manager Brian Platt first announced plans for a solar array at Kansas City International Airport, potentially the largest of its kind in the world, more than two years ago. But little has seemingly happened to move the progress forward.

A study by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and the Mid-America Regional Council has recommended two new express bus routes — one in Johnson County and one in Kansas City, Missouri — to get people to and from the airport ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

Eastern Airlines currently operates 12 airplanes, though it does not offer commercial passenger service out of Kansas City. Relocating its headquarters here required a $4.7 million investment.

Armon Lasker built a strong base with his first barbershop, in Kansas City's historic African American neighborhood. At his second location, Lasker wants to give clients a 'pre-flight pampering experience.'