KCI airport ranked among worst nationally for passenger satisfaction in new study
Kansas City International Airport ranks among the worst for passenger satisfaction among airports of similar size, according to a study released Wednesday.
The survey, conducted by consumer research firm J.D. Power, found KCI was the 26th ranked airport out of 28 facilities. Only Honolulu and Philadelphia were rated worse.
Kansas City received a score of 760 out of 1,000 points. St. Louis Lambert International Airport scored slightly better with 765 points. Tampa International Airport was rated as the best among the group, recording 846 points.
“The combination of pent-up demand for air travel, the nationwide labor shortage and steadily rising prices on everything from jet fuel to a bottle of water have created a scenario in which airports are extremely crowded and passengers are increasingly frustrated—and it is likely to continue through 2023,” Michael Taylor, travel intelligence lead at J.D. Power, said in a statement.
New terminal under construction at KCI
Kansas City is currently finishing up a new $1.5 billion terminal that is expected to open in March 2023 but an official opening date has not been set yet. The million-square-foot single terminal that will have 39 gates on opening day as well as 16 lanes at the security checkpoint.
“This is why we are investing in what will soon be one of America’s finest new airport terminals,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement. “We know what we are coming from and are proud of what the public will experience with the opening of Kansas City’s new terminal.”
On Wednesday, Mark Goodwin, vice president of Clark | Weitz | Clarkson said construction of the new terminal is about 80% done. About 625 men and women are working on the job site every day.
Once passengers are through the security checkpoint, the entire terminal will be open so their experience at the airport will not be dependent on what airline they are flying, as is the case with the current terminals.
Passengers will be able to go between the two concourses to experience such amenities as a meditation room, a conference room that is able to be leased and an air travel simulation room, designed for families with young travelers who might have autism so they can get the airport experience before they actually fly.
There will be nearly 50 local and global eating and shopping experiences in the new terminal, said Jason Parson, president and CEO of Parson + Associates, which is working with Vantage Airport Group, which will run concessions.
