Kansas City, Missouri – As the last twenty acres of undeveloped ground at Wheeler Field get ready for building, the Kansas City Downtown Airport is getting ready for a big change. The Kansas City Aviation Department has picked Airside Innovation Missouri LLC to do the work. This is a big investment in the airport’s future and the city’s aviation industry. The planned cost of the development is $55 million. It shows that the company is planning for the long term and is focused on increasing its business and general aviation services.
Apex Aero Center, a Kansas City-based operator, will run the new fixed base operation at the heart of the project. The concept calls for a new 15,000-square-foot terminal and more than 150,000 square feet of office, hangar, and maintenance facilities. Fixed base operators are where commercial, business, and government planes land, so they are an important entry point for people who fly into Kansas City through MKC. For airport officials, the project is a chance to increase the airport’s capacity and make it a more important part of regional growth.
“The Downtown Airport is an incredibly important asset to not just the Aviation department but the City as a whole. This development shows the continued growth of MKC and its importance to the city as an economic driver” said Melissa Cooper, Director of Aviation for Kansas City.
“Our experience and success at this airport and several other operations around the region, along with the great service we provide aviators and the strong relationships we maintain with our airport partners and leaders, is a testament to our selection for this exciting new project,” said Kyle Eiserer, Founder of Airside FBO. “Our team’s commitment to excellence and our deep roots in Kansas City aviation are reflected in this project. I’ve dreamed of this for years and am proud to see it coming to fruition to serve the city’s significantly growing demand.”
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The planned growth of the Red Tail Academy is one of the most exciting parts of the project. The Kansas City nonprofit helps young people learn about aviation and get involved in the business, which has been hard for them to do in the past. The project makes room for new buildings and new chances for future pilots to get instruction in technical domains, aircraft maintenance, and flying.
“This project represents a powerful alignment of public, private, and philanthropic partners coming together to create not only world-class aviation facilities, but also meaningful, long-term opportunities for Kansas City youth and the entire community to benefit,” said Erik Murray, CEO of Eastside Innovation.
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Construction is expected to begin once regulatory steps and permitting are completed in 2026. Completion is projected for early to mid-2027, setting MKC on course for one of its most significant expansions in decades.
