Kansas City International Airport (KCI)

After 30 years of growth, Foundation for Regeneration is restoring the symbolic Heart Forest near Kansas City International Airport, adding an outline, trails and areas for guests to sit and reflect.

Hotel industry leaders worry that the World Cup's promised "hotel boom" is failing to materialize, while advocacy groups issued a travel advisory warning international visitors of likely civil rights violations by the Trump administration. But so far, Kansas City officials are sticking by their ambitious estimates.

Immigration-related flights in and out of Missouri increased more than 200% in the first year of the Trump administration. Kansas City International Airport is central to these deportation efforts, but there's almost nothing KCI or the city can do.

In a 101-48 vote, House lawmakers approve a bill that would place restrictions on transgender Missourians. It would also target all-gender restrooms like at the Kansas City International Airport.

It's not just Kansas City's airport that expects to see an influx of visitors for this summer's World Cup. St. Louis also expects to field travelers, who will then need to trek across the state by car, Amtrak or bus.

Many World Cup ticket holders felt deceived this month when FIFA assigned precise seat numbers to their already-purchased tickets. At the same time, FIFA hiked ticket prices for nearly every game — including an 87% increase for Kansas City's Argentina vs. Algeria match.

Only one bus route currently drops off at MCI's terminal, but the World Cup's pop-up transit route will change that — temporarily.

Kansas City International Airport is preparing for what could be the busiest time in its history during the summer World Cup games. One large task will be translating airport signs into the languages spoken by visiting national teams and their fans.

The new routes will run for 32 days during the 2026 World Cup. For a fee, the buses will take fans and ticket holders between the Kansas City airport, Arrowhead Stadium, the FIFA Fan Festival and "regional hubs."

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.