KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With the opening of a new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport fast approaching, the date to test the terminal before its launch has now been set.
“There is a lot of excitement on the job site and in our offices as people are understanding just how close we are," said Justin Meyer, deputy director of aviation. "But also a lot of pressure that we have a goal and we are going to hit that goal to be on time with this opening.”
There were nearly 12,000 volunteer applicants for a test of the terminal that will take place on Valentine's Day, according to Build KCI.
Selected applicants will be notified via email next week.
Meyer said they will choose a variety of people to test the terminal.
“Lots of diversity in terms of travel experience. Frequent travelers and infrequent travelers, lots of age variants and abilities as well," Meyer said. "We are certainly looking for people who will be arriving to the airport in a wheelchair or have mobility concerns, other abilities that may impact their ability to experience the terminal in a positive way."
READ | Complete coverage of new KCI terminal
Build KCI was seeking volunteers to test the new terminal last November and built an online survey for those interested.
Testing for the new baggage handling system is also now complete ahead of schedule, according to Build KCI.
After hundreds of hours of overnight testing, the @KCIAirport New Terminal's baggage handling system testing is complete ahead of schedule. Designed to handle 2,900+ outbound bags per hour, the system includes 2.5 miles of conveyor, 6 screening machines, and 11,000+ connections. pic.twitter.com/NpiNs9rc5n
— BuildKCI (@BuildKCI) January 5, 2023
The system is designed to handle over 2,900 outbound bags per hour and includes 2.5 miles of conveyor, six screening machines and more than 11,000 connections.
“What we will see is a lot more consolidation and efficiency in the new terminal,” Meyer said.
The eventual switchover from two terminals to one will happen all in one night, with some airlines adjusting their flight schedules slightly to accommodate plane and personnel movement.
"It’s going to be an exciting 48 hours with the last day of the last flights arriving and departing and the overnight move and the first flights starting out," Meyer said. "Some of our first flights are as early as 5 in the morning.”
KCI's current terminals are 50 years old. Meyer said the new terminal will have a longer life.
“The new terminal was really designed to be future-proof in a lot of ways," he said. "One of which is just making spaces larger and open so if we have future changes in security, airport security, as we have experienced over the last few years, there is a lot more adaptability in the space ..."
Airport officials have targeted an opening date of March 2023.
—
—
