Sept. 19, 2023
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen quickly responded to a recent Kansas City Star article that downplayed the regional impact that closing Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) to pave the way for an apartment development.
While the airport cannot be closed for decades due to federal obligations, even considering its shuttering is shortsighted, he wrote.
“For starters, the move would prompt the loss of about 700 jobs and nearly $84 million in yearly economic impact, according to recent estimates,” Bolen’s letter states. “The airport also provides essential infrastructure for medical and other humanitarian flights, military exercises and more, while serving as a reliever for Kansas City International Airport, which already accommodates a full airline schedule.”
In short, Wheeler airport has long offered a host of benefits that far outweigh any short-term gains provided by high-rise development, Bolden concluded.
Read the full letter to the editor.
LETTERS: CRUCIAL WHEELER
9/17/23
The Star’s Aug. 20 front-page story “Turbulence over downtown airport” minimizes the significant downside from closing Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport.
Although the airport cannot be closed for decades because of federal obligations, doing so at any future date would be folly. For starters, the move would prompt the loss of about 700 jobs and nearly $84 million in yearly economic impact, according to recent estimates.
The airport also provides essential infrastructure for medical and other humanitarian flights, military exercises and more, while serving as a reliever for Kansas City International Airport, which already accommodates a full airline schedule.
As the story notes, the airport is near the city’s economic center — an ideal destination for local businesses relying on air travel to reach other markets, and to bring clients, employees and others to their facilities for product demonstrations, professional training and other priorities. I
In short, Wheeler airport has long offered a host of benefits that far outweigh any short-term gains provided by high-rise development. The city should protect its future, in part by working with developers and others to support the economic success of the downtown area.
Ed Bolen
President and CEO
National Business Aviation Association
Washington, D.C.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.