Editorial: Another airport

A competing facility in Johnson County could be good for Kansas.

Building a major airport in Johnson County is definitely an idea the state of Kansas should be exploring. The benefits of such an airport could be significant for the state.

Discussions about renovating Kansas City International Airport — which is north of Kansas City on the Missouri side of the border — have stalled. Airlines don’t like the three-terminal setup at Kansas City International and would prefer a single terminal. But residents prefer the ease of access into and out of the airport as it is currently designed and have balked at public funding for a renovation.

Speaking to the Kansas City Star, Gov. Sam Brownback said this week that Kansas City’s reluctance could be a major economic opportunity for Kansas.

“Airlines are requesting construction of a new single terminal airport at (KCI), and the state of Kansas is continually looking for new economic development opportunities,” Brownback said in an email. “With more than 50 percent of (KCI) passengers coming from Kansas, we are exploring the possibilities of this project.”

According to a 2015 economic impact statement prepared for the Kansas City Aviation Department by Unison Consulting Inc., the airport had total economic impact of $5.02 billion in the 17-county area it serves, directly and indirectly generated more than 41,000 area jobs and produced more than $1.41 billion in income. More than 11 million people traveled through the airport last year and the airport has experienced traffic growth for 32 consecutive months, the Kansas City Aviation Department reports.

Demand for air travel is on the rise. Airports in Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Orlando are undertaking major renovation and expansion projects. If Kansas City can’t put together a plan for the airport, that could certainly open the door for Kansas and Johnson County.

Given the numbers at stake, it makes sense for Kansas to at least explore options for a competing or replacement airport project.

No doubt, it would be a costly endeavor that would be years in the planning and execution. But in the end it’s an idea that could fly and the Brownback administration is right to explore it.