Contact: Jessica Johnson, Marketing Services Director
: JJJohnson@wichita.gov
: (316) 268-4351

With the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, the Air Force brought proceedings to acquire the Wichita Municipal Airport located in southeast Wichita. Condemnation proceedings yielded an award of $9,410,146 to the City, and the airport then became known as McConnell Air Force Base.

For $1,130,583 ($588 an acre), the Park Board acquired 1,923 acres in southwest Wichita for the construction of the “new” Wichita Municipal Airport. Work began in 1951 and carried on through 1953. In 1954 Wichita’s airport moved to its current site from its original 1929 location. During that three-year period, the landscape changed tremendously, and Wichita’s newest airport began taking shape.

Even by today’s standards, the 1950s Mid-Continent Airport-then known as Wichita Municipal Airport-was a major operation. Early construction included paved roads and parking, a 7,300 ft. north/south runway, a 6,300 ft. northwest/southeast runway, associated taxiways, and an infrastructure required to support these functions. Facilities constructed included a terminal building with control tower, a bulk fuel plant, an administration building, seven hangars, and buildings for the Weather Bureau and the National Flying Farmers.

The terminal building was hailed as an “ultramodern structure, streamlined for comfort, efficiency and functional operation.” It included a second floor for offices and a separate seven-story control tower connected by a concourse. To reach the terminal apron, passengers passed through a tunnel extending from beneath the lobby to the gate positions. Escalators raised and lowered passengers to and from the lobby, and a passageway ramped up to the six gate positions. Also available in the terminal was a restaurant, coffee shop, private dining rooms, public telephones, lobby, car rental, taxi and limousine service and baggage claim area. Casual visitors to the airport were able get an excellent view of the terminal apron from the “spectators promenade deck,” located on the south edge of the roof of the terminal.

All civil aircraft activities were transferred to the new airport on April 1, 1953. One year to the day, scheduled air carriers transferred over. Dedication of the new Wichita Municipal Airport took place on October 31, 1954. Serving the airport were two airplane charter operations, Executive Airways and Wichita Air Charter Service; three commercial air carriers, Braniff Airways, Continental Air Lines and Trans World Airlines; and two feeder lines, Central Airlines and Ozark Airlines. Total passengers for the first full year of operation were 221,189. Today, Wichita Mid-Continent Airport boasts 15 airlines serving more than 1.4 million passengers in 2003.

Not only has passenger service grown over the years, but Wichita Mid-Continent Airport has grown considerably since its original purchase: from 1,923 acres to more than 3,200 acres; from a handful of buildings to 65 facilities located on airport; from a relatively simple terminal and pavement complex to an extensive network of runways, taxiways and aprons.

Since its initial construction, the terminal building has been remodeled a number of times to accommodate passenger needs and convenience. Changes are reflected in both the exterior and interior of the terminal building, and include ticket counter, bag claim, rental cars, restrooms, gift and restaurant/snack bar expansions and renovations. The addition of a third 10,300-foot runway allows for increased capacity and flexibility. The construction of 12 above-ground gate areas makes it convenient for passengers to board aircraft via a loading bridge. The parking lot has been expanded several times to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport, and a parking lot shuttle service has been implemented to assist travelers who desire to use this service. Those overseeing the airport continue to assess and evaluate the airport’s amenities to provide the best service it can to its customers-the traveling public.

For more information on the airport’s anniversary, visit www.flywichita.com and be sure to check out the 50 year anniversary in pictures on the site!

Did you know?

• From day one, the airport has been operated without local tax support.
• Since 1954, more than 44.5 million airline passengers have utilized the airport.
• Forty-one different airlines have served the airport over the 50-year period.
• Over 184,000 aircraft land and take off annually at the airport.
• The airport is one of the very few airports worldwide that has more takeoffs than it has landings.
• Over the past 50 years more than 614,255 tons of air cargo and 96,419 tons of mail have been handled on the airport.
• The airport is valued in excess of $500 million.
• The annual operating expenditure budget for the airport is $11.2 million.
• Revenues generated on the airport are used to cover operating expenses, debt services, and a portion of capital improvement projects.
• Capital improvement projects identified for the airport in 2004 are estimated at $27.8 million, and will be funded with Airport Improvement Program grants (Federal), PFCs (passenger facility charges) and airport revenues.
• According to WSU Center for Economic Development’s 2003 report, the total economic impact of the work force by Mid-Continent Airport equates over 41,000 jobs.
• This translates to a $1.6 billion economic impact in wage and salary payroll.
• U.S. Department of Transportation data show that the arrival of AirTran Airways in May 2002 lowered ICT’s average domestic fares 34% since 2001, from $208 to $138.
• Organizers have announced a fare savings of over $100 million since Fair Fare$, the air service improvement task force, was established in 2001.
• Passenger volumes continue to rise and June 2004 broke the all time record for number of passengers that utilized this airport.

“Aviation Daily” recently ranked Mid-Continent as the 19th fastest-growing airport in the country. This growth broke national trends by occurring at a time when most airports saw declines such as Tulsa, Dallas, Boston and San Francisco.

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