KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City International Airport saw a nearly 96 percent drop in passenger traffic in April compared to the year before as the coronavirus pandemic grounded flights and brought travel to a standstill across the country.
In a news release, the Kansas City, Missouri, Aviation Department said 42,190 passengers arrived and departed through KCI in April, a 95.5 percent decrease from April 2019.
Passenger boardings, which tracks those who boarded planes at KCI, also declined, with 21,036 boardings recorded in April. Year-to-date passenger boardings are down around 41 percent, according to the aviation department.
“On behalf of everyone at the Kansas City Aviation Department, especially our front line workers, I’d like to thank everyone who chose to postpone their discretionary travel in April to help flatten the curve and slow the spread of the coronavirus,” said Pat Klein, director of aviation. “As the stay-at-home orders are lifted and travelers return, we will continue to do everything possible to provide a clean and safe gateway to the world.”
The airport also expects daily departures to drop in June, with nearly 20 routes suspended and fewer daily departures.
The Memorial Day weekend typically marks the beginning of the summer travel season, though it is expected to look much different this year due to COVID-19.
