🇺🇸 Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport

The Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (KMKC (MKC)) is a city-owned, public-use general aviation reliever airport located just north of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, near the Missouri River.

Type of Facility and Operations: The airport primarily serves general and corporate aviation, accommodating a range of aircraft from single-engine propeller planes to corporate jets. It is also utilized for flight training, air cargo, and medevac operations. KMKC operates 24 hours a day with 24-hour air traffic control and fixed-base operators. Services include aircraft maintenance, hangars, fueling, aircraft sales, leasing, charters, and car rentals. The airport features a Category I Instrument Landing System and has two runways: one concrete (6,827 by 150 feet) and one asphalt (5,050 by 100 feet).

Notable Features and History: Originally dedicated as "Kansas City Municipal Airport" by Charles Lindbergh on August 17, 1927, the airport played a significant role in early commercial aviation. It notably served as the headquarters for Trans World Airlines (TWA). The airport was renamed Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport in August 2002, on its 75th anniversary, in honor of former Kansas City Mayor Charles B. Wheeler. Its convenient location, just minutes from the city's business center, is a key feature. The airport is also home to the National Airline History Museum and the TWA Museum.

Current Status: Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport remains a thriving general and business aviation facility, ranking among the busiest airports in Missouri, capable of handling up to 700 aircraft operations daily. It supports nearly 2,800 jobs and contributes over $625 million to the regional economy. The airport is currently undergoing a Master Plan study, expected to be completed in Fall 2024, to guide its future development and operations.