Rep. Graves supports keeping current KC airport design

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Calling Kansas City International Airport one of the most convenient airports, Rep. Sam Graves said he supports keeping a three-terminal layout.

The proposed KCI master plan calls for the airport's three C-shaped terminals to be replaced with a single terminal.

Consultants and the Kansas City aviation director have said the existing terminal configuration is inefficient multiple security checkpoints are required.

KCI officials and a consultant are piecing together a master plan for the 35-year-old airport. The Federal Aviation Administration requires airports to draw up a master plan every 10 years.

Graves said Tuesday that he agrees that the multiple-security-checkpoint system makes KCI less efficient when comparing it with most airports that have fewer checkpoints. But he said more screeners looking at fewer passengers amounted to a safer airport.

Some area residents and travelers have said they prefer the existing configuration, which allows travelers to walk only a few hundred feet between their gates, baggage carousels and ground transportation.

The Missouri Republican also said he will seek legislation that would require all airports to include customer convenience as a criterion in long-range planning.

The KCI master plan also includes passenger convenience and comfort in its evaluation criteria.

Kansas City Aviation Director Mark VanLoh said customer convenience always has been part of the master-plan process.

Terry Trippler, a Minneapolis travel consultant, said Graves' proposal was a good idea.

"Whether it is a policeman telling someone that they can't park their car in a certain spot or going through security, there is so much about airports that is not consumer-friendly," Trippler said.

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On the Net:

http://www.flykci.com

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com