First look: KCI has become a $6.3B economic engine
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Kansas City International Airport (KCI) generated $6.3 billion in economic output in 2024, according to a new study first shared with Axios.
Why it matters: The airport directly supports tens of thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions in tax revenue, and Kansas City's ability to handle rising travel tied to major events and economic growth.
By the numbers: Nearly 40,000 jobs in the region connect to KCI, including airport and airline workers, contractors and service jobs, generating $1.8 billion in payroll.
- KCI is responsible for $276 million in state and local tax revenue across Missouri and Kansas, according to the study.
- 2024 was its busiest year on record, with more than 12.1 million passengers.
State of play: The airport's total output grew roughly 25% since a similar 2014 study, when its impact was $5.02 billion.
- Both studies used the same methodology and were conducted by Unison Consulting.
Between the lines: As of now, the aviation department told Axios it expects passenger numbers to surpass those in June and July 2024, which are the two busiest months on record for KCI.
What they're saying: "Kansas City International Airport is the economic driver for our entire region," Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement to KCI, pointing to record travel and jobs tied to the new single terminal.
- City Manager Mario Vasquez said KCI's impact reflects Kansas City's growing presence "on the global stage."
Kansas City Aviation also reported a separate economic impact study for Kansas City Downtown Airport Wheeler Field, using 2023 data.
- Wheeler Field generated more than $625 million in economic impact.
- The airport supports nearly 2,800 jobs with $251 million in payroll.
The bottom line: KCI has moved beyond a transportation hub into one of the metro's biggest economic drivers, with billions in regional output and a record-setting year for passengers to prove it.