TKC MUST READ EXCLUSIVE!!! FACT CHECKING CONSULTANTS ON KANSAS CITY SINGLE-TERMINAL AIRPORT SCHEME!!!

TKC NOTE: Here's a great take on recent pronouncement from consultants that didn't get much critical analysis in any other media outlet.

Take a look . . .

AIRPORT INFORMATION

First of all I think we should all remember these are “Consultants". They are paid to come to Kansas City and deliver the findings our Mayor, SOME City Council members and the ATAG Chairpersons want to hear.

It is clear that David Fowler, co-chair,  wants to build a new single terminal, he just can’t seem to disguise it. This is just not something I made up.  It has been obvious for some time; read Steve Paul’s article yesterday, he makes the same point.  The other co-chair is a little more subtle but will probably have a vested financial interest in construction of a new terminal.  I do believe there are members of the ATAG Group who are determined to do a fair analysis. At any rate, I think the public is smart enough to see what is going on and I am pleased Mr. Paul finally put it in print. I am embarrassed for the “Consultants” as they disparage the testimony of the airline executives.  Who knows more about running an airport and airlines than the executives who do it everyday?

The numbers are all good information but to think if ticket prices go up, it is not TAXING on the voters of the Kansas City area, is nonsense.  Who buys the tickets if not the traveling voters? The “Consultants” say we need more concessions to boost revenue.  That is probably correct but how many additional concessions do you have to sell to retire the additional $1.5 Billion in debt?  Concessions can be added during a remodel. We still owe over $250,000,000 on the existing airport. The “Consultants “ stated “fares are determined by national market trends”. The airline executives say fares are determined by demand. I remind everyone, the airline executives told us “ there are no other airlines standing in line to fly into Kansas City”.

The “Consultants” will be back in March with more information. I would register a guess they will attack the infrastructure of the terminals at that time. We heard earlier this week at the Public Forum, from a 25 year veteran who worked in the basement of the airport, the boilers and chillers along with other critical equipment at the airport has at lease 50% of its life left. He stated some minor plumbing fixes need to be made.  I think everybody realizes the airport needs come cosmetic uplift.  We do not need to spend $1.5 Billion to get this done.

A couple final questions:

1.) Southwest Airlines and I believe Delta Airlines stated they both have design and engineering firms within their companies.  These design and engineering departments work with  aviation departments and cities all over the country designing new airport facilities.  They offered to assist Kansas City and even offered to put a staff member in town and       available. Why haven’t we taken advantage of this offer?

2.)  If they tear down the three terminals we have, what are they going to do with the concrete and steel?  How much will this cost to remove.  $1.5 Billion is just the beginning!

Dan Coffey
Citizens for Responsible Government
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