Kansas operates 8 commercial service airports and over 140 public-use airports across the state. Kansas City International Airport (MCI) celebrated a record-breaking 12.1 million passengers in 2024, while Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) serves as the state's largest and busiest facility with 1.8 million passengers annually.
Kansas is served by two major commercial airports offering extensive domestic and limited international connections, with Kansas City International Airport (MCI) leading the region and Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) serving as the state's primary hub.
📍 Kansas City, Missouri (15 miles from Downtown)
MCI celebrated its busiest year ever in 2024 with 12.1 million passengers served. The new 40-gate terminal opened in February 2023 and has received over 20 national and local awards.
📍 Wichita (8 miles from Downtown)
ICT is the largest and busiest airport in Kansas, serving as the primary hub for the state. The airport set an all-time passenger record in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
| Airport | Code | Passengers (2024) | Change | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City International | MCI | 12,126,500 | +5.0% | Record Year |
| Wichita Eisenhower National | ICT | 1,809,142 | Record High | Largest in Kansas |
| Manhattan Regional | MHK | 72,883 | Growing | 2nd Busiest |
| Garden City Regional | GCK | 25,243 | Stable | EAS |
| Salina Regional | SLN | 15,977 | Stable | EAS |
| Hays Regional | HYS | 11,996 | Stable | EAS |
| Dodge City Regional | DDC | ~8,000 | Stable | EAS |
| Liberal Mid-America Regional | LBL | ~6,000 | Stable | EAS |
EAS = Essential Air Service program (federally subsidized service)
Kansas airports offer extensive domestic connectivity and limited international service to Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica through major carriers.
60 total destinations (56 domestic, 4 international)
Top Domestic Routes:
International Destinations:
New 2024 Routes: Sacramento, Hollywood-Burbank, Columbus, Raleigh-Durham (May 2025)
14 nonstop destinations across 6 airlines
Airlines & Destinations:
Southwest Airlines serves 17% of total ICT traffic
| Parking Type | Daily Rate | Weekly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $9.00 | $52.50 |
| Surface Lot | $20.00 | $140.00 |
| Garage | $28.00 | $196.00 |
| Valet | $35.00 | $245.00 |
Features:
Off-Site Options: From $4.00/day at nearby hotels and parking facilities
💳 Payment Methods: Cash, credit cards, and mobile payment platforms accepted at all Kansas airports
TSA PreCheck allows eligible passengers to experience expedited security screening at participating airports. Enrollment is available at select Kansas airports and over 1,300 locations nationwide.
| Airport Name | Code | TSA PreCheck | Enrollment Available | Terminal/Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita Eisenhower National | ICT | Yes | Yes | Main Terminal |
| Kansas City International | MCI | Yes | Yes | Near Southwest Airlines counter (Departures level) |
| Manhattan Regional | MHK | No | No | Main Terminal |
| Garden City Regional | GCK | No | No | Terminal |
| Salina Regional | SLN | No | No | Terminal |
| Hays Regional | HYS | No | No | Terminal |
| Dodge City Regional | DDC | No | No | Terminal |
| Liberal Mid-America Regional | LBL | No | No | Terminal |
📍 Kansas City MCI Enrollment Location:
💳 Enrollment Process:
⚠️ Important: Starting May 1, 2025, you must provide a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state ID, or passport for TSA PreCheck enrollment. Visit tsa.gov/precheck for more information.
Kansas maintains 141 public-use airports and 244 private-use airports across the state. Six regional airports receive Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidies to maintain commercial connections to major hubs.
Location: 5 miles southwest of Manhattan
Passengers: 72,883 (2024)
Airlines: American Airlines (American Eagle)
Destinations: Chicago O'Hare (ORD) - 2 daily flights, Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 3 daily flights
Aircraft: Embraer ERJ-175 (DFW), Canadair CRJ-200 (ORD)
Terminal Hours: 3:00 AM - 12:00 PM or until last flight arrives
Website:flymhk.com
Location: 9 miles southeast of Garden City
Passengers: 25,243 (2024)
Airlines: American Airlines (operated by Envoy Air)
Destinations: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - daily service
Aircraft: Embraer 170 (65-seat regional jet)
EAS Subsidy: $5,897,640 annually
New Terminal: Opened June 26, 2024 (replaced 1959 facility), features passenger loading bridge
Runways: 17/35 (7,299 x 100 ft), 12/30 (5,700 x 100 ft)
Check-in Recommendation: 90 minutes with luggage, 60 minutes carry-on only
Website:fly2gck.com
Location: Southwest of Salina
Passengers: 15,977 (2024)
Airlines: United Airlines (operated by SkyWest Airlines)
Destinations: Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH) - 93 flights monthly
Aircraft: Bombardier CRJ-100/200 regional jets
EAS Program: Essential Air Service subsidized
Flight Training: Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus uses SLN as base
Notable History: Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer takeoff/landing point for Steve Fossett's solo nonstop circumnavigation (2005)
Service: General aviation and passenger airline service
Location: 3 miles southeast of Hays
Passengers: 11,996 (2024)
Airlines: United Express (operated by SkyWest Airlines)
Destinations: Denver (DEN) - multiple daily flights
Aircraft: Bombardier CRJ-550 regional jets
EAS Program: Essential Air Service - federally subsidized flights
Runways: 16/34 (6,501 x 100 ft, rebuilt 2013), 4/22 (4,501 x 75 ft)
Economic Impact: Critical infrastructure for Hays region; without EAS funding, residents would drive 4 hours to Kansas City, Wichita, or Denver
Services: Commercial flights, emergency medical flights, mail/cargo delivery, general aviation
Location: 3 miles east of Dodge City
Passengers: ~8,000 (2024)
Airlines: United Airlines
Destinations: Denver (DEN) - daily flights, 7 days/week
EAS Subsidy: $6,160,110 annually
Runways: 14/32 (6,899 x 100 ft), 2/20 (4,649 x 100 ft)
Elevation: 2,594 feet
Category: Non-primary commercial service facility
Location: Liberal, Kansas
Passengers: ~6,000 (2024)
Airlines: United Airlines
Destinations: Denver, Dallas, Las Vegas
Service Area: Southwest Kansas, Oklahoma Panhandle, Texas Panhandle, Southeast Colorado, Northeast New Mexico
Aircraft Operations: 42,640 annually (117/day) - 94% general aviation, 3% airline, 3% air taxi
Runways: 4/22 (5,000 x 75 ft), 17/35 (7,105 x 100 ft)
Flights: At least 12 domestic flights weekly
History: Airline flights began 1956 with Central Airlines DC-3s; Frontier Airlines served until 1981
Total Public-Use Airports: 141 (Kansas Department of Transportation Division of Aviation)
Private-Use Airports: 244
NPIAS-Eligible: 80 airports
General Aviation & Reliever: 133 public-use airports
Regional Distribution:
Reliever Airports:
Designated by FAA to relieve congestion at large commercial service airports and provide general aviation access. Kansas reliever airports near Wichita and Kansas City divert non-commercial traffic to maintain operational efficiency.
Notable Reliever Airport:
Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) - Kansas City, Missouri
Used for corporate and recreational aviation, designated as general aviation reliever airport
Services: Business aviation, recreational flying, flight training, emergency services, agricultural operations (aerial spraying)
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) is the largest and busiest airport located entirely within Kansas, serving 1,809,142 passengers in 2024. However, Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in nearby Kansas City, Missouri, serves as the primary regional hub with 12.1 million passengers annually and is the closest major airport for northeastern Kansas residents.
ICT offers service to 14 nonstop destinations on six airlines (Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Southwest, and United) and was ranked the #3 Best Small Airport in the nation.
Kansas has 8 commercial service airports offering scheduled passenger flights:
Six airports receive Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidies from the federal government to maintain commercial connections to major hubs.
Kansas does not have a dedicated international airport within state borders. However, Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in nearby Kansas City, Missouri, serves as the primary international gateway for Kansas residents and offers international flights to:
MCI discontinued its Toronto, Canada route with Air Canada in 2025 due to low demand and fleet issues, with plans to revisit in 2026. MCI is located just 15 miles northwest of downtown Kansas City and easily accessible from northeastern Kansas.
Only two airports in the Kansas region offer TSA PreCheck expedited security screening:
Smaller regional airports including Manhattan (MHK), Garden City (GCK), Salina (SLN), Hays (HYS), Dodge City (DDC), and Liberal (LBL) do not currently offer TSA PreCheck services.
MCI Enrollment Hours: Monday-Sunday, 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Walk-ins accepted, appointments recommended. Enrollment fee is $78 for 5 years. Starting May 1, 2025, REAL ID-compliant identification is required.
The Essential Air Service (EAS) program is a federal subsidy that ensures small communities maintain commercial air service connections to major hubs. Without EAS funding, many rural airports would lose airline service entirely, forcing residents to drive 3-4 hours to reach the nearest commercial airport.
Six Kansas airports receive EAS subsidies:
EAS airports are critical infrastructure supporting emergency medical flights, mail/cargo delivery, and regional economic activity. Federal funding concerns periodically threaten these services.
Kansas City International (MCI):
Wichita Eisenhower National (ICT):
Regional Airports:
Kansas City International (MCI) Parking:
Money-Saving Tips:
Wichita ICT: Parking rates vary; check flywichita.com for current pricing. Regional airports typically offer free or low-cost parking due to smaller passenger volumes.
From Kansas City International (MCI):
From Wichita Eisenhower (ICT):
Regional Airports: Manhattan and Garden City connect to Dallas/Fort Worth; Salina connects to Chicago, Denver, and Houston; Hays, Dodge City, and Liberal primarily connect to Denver for onward connections.
Yes! Kansas City International Airport (MCI) celebrated its busiest year ever in 2024, setting multiple records:
The record-breaking performance is attributed to the new 40-gate terminal that opened in February 2023, which has facilitated new routes to Sacramento, Hollywood-Burbank, Columbus, and upcoming service to Raleigh-Durham (May 2025). The new terminal has received over 20 national and local awards for design and functionality.
Kansas maintains a robust airport network comprising 384 total facilities as of 2025:
Additional Facilities:
Eastern Kansas hosts over 40 general aviation airports concentrating on business and recreational flying near population centers like Topeka and Wichita. Western facilities emphasize agricultural operations, serving as bases for crop dusting. Kansas's dispersed aviation infrastructure connects rural communities to broader transportation networks and supports emergency services, flight training, and economic development.
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Last updated on November 29, 2025