After a two-year evaluation process by the airlines serving Kansas City International Airport, the carriers have rejected all 26 plans for major renovation at KCI.
"They failed to achieve your customer service objectives. They don't achieve the operational efficiency you are looking for from a city or an airline perspective and it restricts your flexibility, because the one thing we can’t predict is the future," said airline consultant Lou Salomon, who provided a nearly two-hour, 74-page presentation to the city's airport committee.
What's wrong with renovation?
Cost: The analysis showed the final two renovation proposals both have a price tag over a billion dollars.
Disservice to customers if selected over new terminal: Analysis says renovations do not give flexibility for future growth opportunities like a new airline or more routes and doesn't offer convenience.
Doesn't achieve airline objectives: Renovations do not make it easier for planes to get in and out and therefore strains efficiency. Renovations would have a longer construction schedule.
What about the Crawford Concept?
The airline consultants evaluated the independent third party designed Crawford Concept. They concluded the concept is similar to one of the two renovation proposals and doesn't take into account facility requirements identified over the past two years.
"The Crawford Concept basically confirms the airlines conclusion that the major renovations, they’re just less efficient and they cost more,” said Salomon.
What now?
The airlines say they are prepared to provide a major investment for a modernized terminal, but what happens is in the hands of City Council, then voters in the end.
The airport committee will look at what it would cost to fix current problems at KCI instead of looking to the future at its next meeting on Feb. 16.
City Council will eventually receive a final recommendation and than decide whether to act on a proposal.
If council passes a referendum, it would then be voted upon by the city.
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Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com.
