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City reviews 20‑year master plan for Eisenhower National Airport, outlines $350M capital program
Summary
Wichita officials reviewed a 20‑year master plan for Eisenhower National Airport that forecasts growth to roughly 1.5 million enplanements by 2044 and lists a prioritized capital program emphasizing pavement work, a second parking structure and possible concourse expansion; FAA review of the airport layout plan will determine future grant eligibility.
The Wichita Airport Authority and consultants presented a 20‑year master plan for Eisenhower National Airport on May 20, outlining projected passenger growth, a capital project list and next steps for FAA review.
Jesse Romo, director of airports, said the plan is a long‑range forecasting and prioritization document, not a commitment to any single project. Consultant Patrick Taylor of Kaufman Associates summarized the study that began 18 months ago and emphasized the plan’s role in positioning the airport for FAA technical review and future grant cycles.
The master plan uses 2024 as a base year (about 900,000 enplanements) and projects roughly 1.5 million enplanements in 2044. That projection drives a capital program that includes short‑term pavement and apron work, replacement of the administration building and fire station, an additional parking structure (about 200 spaces) and potential concourse/gate expansion if demand justifies it. The first five years of projects are currently estimated at about $126 million; the full 20‑year program is roughly $350 million in potential projects, most of which are pavement‑eligible for FAA funding.
Taylor said the airport footprint is adequate for projected demand and highlighted opportunities to acquire adjacent parcels for future aeronautical uses if they become available. He stressed that projects listed in the plan are not guaranteed funding, noting that each project still must pass FAA technical, environmental and justification reviews before grant awards.
Council members asked practical questions about covered parking, the air‑traffic control tower, nonstop destinations and air mobility. Romo explained that a taller tower would be an FAA facility replacement and eligible under a different FAA funding pool; the current tower dates to 1983. He said the airport currently serves several large hub cities and that staff continue to seek additional markets and airline partners. The plan also considered electric vertical take‑off and landing aircraft (air taxis) but contains no immediate infrastructure commitments for that technology.
The council was shown a phased, year‑by‑year project list that prioritizes pavement and maintenance work in the near term. Romo and Taylor recommended that, after local approval, staff submit the airport layout plan and technical drawings to the FAA for technical review so the federal agency can conditionally accept the ALP and then consider projects during annual FAA grant allocations.
The airport director and consultant said public involvement was extensive during the study and that a project website and four public workshops were held. The airport authority will ask the council to take action on the master plan so staff can submit required FAA documents with a clear record of local support. The council did not take final action during this session; the presentation was an informational workshop step ahead of a future formal action and submission to the FAA.
