Kansas Airports Travel Guide

Key Highlights

• Kansas has 143 public use airports. This makes a strong network that helps people and goods move around the state.

• Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) is the largest airport in Kansas. It is the main hub for people who fly.

• There are no international airports in Kansas. But you can get to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Missouri with ease.

• Several small airports get commercial flights through the Essential Air Service program. This helps connect smaller towns with bigger ones.

• The state’s list of airports is a good mix of commercial service hubs and key general aviation spots.

Introduction

Welcome to your guide for flying in the Sunflower State! Kansas has 143 public use airports. These airports connect many cities and towns across the United States. If you travel for business or fun, you will find many airport choices. You can fly from the busy Wichita airport or use one of the smaller, easy-to-reach regional airports.

Kansas has a good aviation network. These airports support major commercial airlines and important general aviation services. This means people can get air travel options, no matter where they want to go.

Top Airports to Visit in Kansas

Getting around Kansas by air is not hard. There are many main airports with commercial service in the state. These airports are placed in spots where most people in Kansas live. You will find commercial flights at airports in Wichita, Manhattan, Garden City, Salina, Dodge City, and Hays.

Kansas does not have an international airport of its own. But, the Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is just over the state border in Missouri. This airport helps the kansas city metropolitan area and does a good job for people coming in or going out of Kansas. Let’s take a look at the top airports that make it easy to travel in and out of the state.

1. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)

Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) is the busiest and largest airport in Kansas. It is the main place for people in the state to catch flights. It sits just off I-235 and US 54/400 in Wichita. Each day, there are about 34 daily flights. These flights are run by big airlines, like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.

In 2015, ICT opened a new terminal. The new terminal is modern and easy to use. It has a parking garage right next to it. Also, there is a rental car center connected to it. All of these things help people have a better travel day. Because of this, the airport has been picked as one of the best small hub airports in the country. When you fly from ICT, you can use free WiFi. There are many places to eat and shop too. If you park at ICT often, there is even a rewards plan for you.

ICT has flights with no stops to 16 cities, such as Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Atlanta. From there, you can go to hundreds of other cities in the US and around the world with just one stop. This makes Eisenhower National Airport a good and easy choice for people who travel in the area.

2. Kansas City International Airport (MCI/KCI)

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) may sit in Kansas City, Missouri, but it serves the whole Kansas City metropolitan area. Kansas does not have any international airport itself, so people use MCI to get to other countries and to go around the U.S. The airport code is MCI, but many people still call it KCI, the old code.

The Kansas City Aviation Department runs this airport. It is a big spot for airlines like Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. You can fly to many places in the country and around the world from here. The airport connects this part of the country to all kinds of places, and it is an important part of how people travel in the region.

If you live in eastern Kansas, kansas city international airport is the best option when you need to fly. It offers lots of flights, both in the United States and worldwide. The new changes at kansas city international made everything easier for travelers with only one terminal now. New things inside the airport also make the trip better, and it is just a short drive from Kansas.

3. Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK)

Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK) is in Manhattan, Kansas. It gives important air service to the Flint Hills area. This regional airport makes travel easier for the people who live here, do business, or come to visit Kansas State University. You can get commercial flights here that connect the city to big travel hubs.

American Airlines is the main airline at MHK. It runs daily flights by using American Eagle, its regional carrier. These flights go to big hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago O’Hare. From there, people can reach many places around the world. So, travelers can start their trip in Manhattan and reach many other spots.

This airport is not just for commercial flights. The airport also helps with general aviation. The services here are good for the local economy. The airport is a needed link for the university and the towns close by. It helps keep these places tied together for both work and fun travel.

4. Garden City Regional Airport (GCK)

Garden City Regional Airport (GCK) sits in Finney County. It is about eight miles from the city of Garden City. This is a city-owned airport and is open to the public. The airport gives southwest Kansas a key way to get in and out of the area. It also lets people take commercial flights across the United States.

The airport gets support from the Essential Air Service program. This program makes sure that small towns, like Garden City, can stay linked to other places by air. Without it, people might have to drive far to catch a flight. The Essential Air Service program helps pay for airline service that lets people take daily flights to a big city from GCK. This means people can count on good, steady travel choices.

GCK is not used only for airline service. General aviation is also a big part of what happens here. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems has listed it as a main commercial service airport. This shows how important the airport is for all the places in western Kansas. It brings the area into the national flying system and helps many people get to where they want to go.

5. Salina Regional Airport (SLN)

Salina Regional Airport (SLN) is in Salina and serves the city and north-central Kansas. This regional airport is very important for the people here. It offers airline service with commercial flights and helps general aviation in many ways. The airport makes sure that people and businesses in the area have easy access to air travel.

The airport gives you commercial flights that connect you to a big hub. From that hub, you can go to many places in the country and out of the country too. This airline service helps a lot, since Salina is in the middle of Kansas. It helps people save time that would be spent driving long distances.

Salina Regional Airport is also busy with general aviation, corporate flights, and air cargo. It has new buildings and long runways, so it can handle many different kinds of planes. This regional airport helps the local economy and brings new opportunities to the area.

6. Dodge City Regional Airport (DDC)

Dodge City Regional Airport (DDC) is three miles east of the historic Dodge City. The airport gives important air service to Ford County and the larger southwest Kansas area. This regional airport helps people in many ways by having commercial flights. They help connect Dodge City to other parts of the United States.

The commercial airline service at DDC gets help from the federal Essential Air Service program. With help from this program, the airport can keep a strong link to a big hub. This is important for business, for people visiting, and for the people who live here. The airport has a runway that is kept in good shape. It handles planes used for regional flights.

The airport does not only have airline service on a schedule. Dodge City Regional Airport is also important for general aviation. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems has put the airport in the list of non-primary commercial service facilities. This shows that it has a big place in the United States national aviation system.

7. Hays Regional Airport (HYS)

Hays Regional Airport (HYS) gives much-needed air service to the people living in Hays and the nearby part of northwestern Kansas. This regional airport offers commercial service with airline flights. People living here can fly from Hays instead of driving a long way to a big city for flights.

United Express flies from this airport and goes to the busy Denver International Airport (DEN). This is important for people in the area because it helps them travel to many other places in the country and around the world through this international airport. These daily flights help boost local work and support Fort Hays State University and the healthcare field here.

HYS is not just for airline flights. The airport is great for general aviation too. Its centers handle private planes and charter service. Because of this, the regional airport is a main part of how this town works, and it helps bring money to the area.

8. Lawrence Municipal Airport (LWC)

Lawrence Municipal Airport (LWC) is a public airport that is owned by the city and sits in Lawrence, Kansas. While there are no main commercial flights right now, it is a very important spot for general aviation in the area. The airport is a big help for the University of Kansas. It helps the school’s flight training and other flight needs.

As a busy general aviation airport, LWC handles many types of planes. These include corporate jets, private planes, and air taxi flights. The airport helps people and businesses in the area who need private air travel for speed and ease. It is a way for people in Lawrence to get to places all over the country.

The airport has important buildings and services that make it a great thing for the city and Douglas County. It helps the local economy to grow, gives students a way to learn about flying because of its work with the University of Kansas, and is a place for lots of aviation needs in northeastern Kansas.

9. Topeka Regional Airport (FOE)

Topeka Regional Airport (FOE) was once called Forbes Field. It is a public airport that sits south of Topeka, Kansas. The airport started as an air force base. It was known as Forbes Air Force Base and played a key role with the Strategic Air Command. Now, it is both a civil and military airport. The Kansas Air National Guard uses the same runways as the public does.

There are no scheduled commercial airline flights at this time. The airport is still a key place for general aviation and the military. It has very long and strong runways. This lets big planes land and take off here. This regional airport is good for cargo, corporate, and private plane trips. The airport authority works hard to bring back commercial service.

Since it was once an air force base and still has the Air Force on site, Topeka Regional Airport has special skills and features. It stays important as a public airport for Topeka. It helps the state capital and all around. It gives support to government, business, and private flying for the whole region.

10. Hutchinson Regional Airport (HUT)

Hutchinson Regional Airport (HUT) is a regional airport open to the public. It sits close to Hutchinson in Reno County, Kansas. The airport is important for the community because it gives people and businesses a key place for general aviation. It also has what is needed if commercial service comes back in the future.

Right now, HUT does not offer regular commercial flights. But in the past, there have been commercial service flights at the airport. It is still ready for any regional airliners that might come. Today, people mainly use the airport for general aviation. Corporate jets, private planes, and agricultural aircraft all fly in and out of here. Because of its central spot in Kansas, the airport is a useful stop for flights going across the United States.

The airport has strong runways and good, modern buildings. These things help Hutchinson grow its economy. Hutchinson Regional Airport brings support to local businesses and industries. It stays ready in case airline service returns. If that happens, the airport will help the region connect even more with other places in the United States.

Major Types of Airports in Kansas

Kansas has a wide mix of aviation locations. The list of airports includes 143 public airport spots. These airports are part of the national plan of integrated airport systems. You will find both big commercial service airports and smaller fields for the community.

Besides public airports, there are many private airfields in Kansas. These sites are used mostly for general aviation. That covers things like flying for work, farming from the air, and flying for fun. Let’s take a closer look at how these different airport types are not the same.

Public Use Airports Across Kansas

Kansas has 143 public use airports, which form the backbone of its aviation network. These facilities are open to the public and include everything from airports with commercial flights to smaller fields that exclusively serve general aviation. Each public airport is identified by an FAA LID (Location Identifier) and is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.

You can find a complete list of airports in Kansas and detailed information on each one by consulting official sources like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA provides comprehensive data, including the FAA Airport Form 5010, for every public facility. Here is a brief look at some of the state’s public airports and their passenger numbers.

Airport Name	Code	City	Enplanements (2015)
Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower National	ICT	Wichita	773,550
Manhattan Regional	MHK	Manhattan	66,263
Garden City Regional	GCK	Garden City	27,152
Salina Regional	SLN	Salina	10,079
Dodge City Regional	DDC	Dodge City	2,396

Private Airfields and General Aviation Facilities

Kansas is not just home to large public airports. The state also has many private airfields that meet special needs in aviation. These spots are not open to everyone. They are important for general aviation across the United States. People use them for things like business flights, flight lessons, and flying for fun.

St. Mary’s Airpark is a good example. It is privately owned, but it welcomes the public. It has a runway made of turf and gravel. Places like this make many things possible. People bring their own planes to fly, get training, or use air taxi services to go where they need for work or fun.

Private airfields and general aviation airports help support the big public airports as well. This balance builds a strong aviation setup in Kansas. It also means that even far-off towns get a chance to use air travel. This helps local businesses grow, boosts aircraft operations, and keeps all parts of Kansas well connected.

Essential Information for Kansas Air Travelers

When you want to fly from a Kansas airport, it helps to have the right details with you. You can check for nonstop flights or see all airline flights. You can also look at schedules for when flights come in. The airport’s website is the best place for news that is up-to-date.

If you want to find your next place to visit or check on a flight that is coming in, you can use these websites. They make things easy for you. Now, let’s go over what airlines, places to go, and other services you will find when flying out of Kansas.

Airlines, Destinations, and Passenger Services at Kansas Airports

There are several airports in Kansas where you can catch commercial flights with big carriers. These include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and Allegiant Air. Wichita’s Eisenhower National Airport is the main airport in the state if you want the most nonstop flights. This airport makes travel easy if you start here. You can check flight times, arrivals, and departures right on the website for each airport.

If you leave from Wichita, you can get on a nonstop flight to a lot of top places all over the country. Here are some of the main nonstop flights:

• Dallas/Fort Worth

• Chicago

• Denver

• Atlanta

• Las Vegas

The airports give people great services so your trip feels good. At Eisenhower National Airport, you get free WiFi, many places to eat or shop, and there is a rewards program. This program can help you save on things like parking. The smaller regional airports have what you need too. They help make sure your trip with airlines like American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, or Allegiant Air is easy and smooth.

Conclusion

Kansas has many airports to choose from for both public and private flights. You can fly from the big Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport or use smaller airports like the ones in Manhattan and Garden City. This gives you a lot of choices for coming and going in the state. When you know about the different types of airports and key travel tips, you can make your trip smoother. No matter if you are here for business or fun, it is good to plan your air travel well. That will help you have a better and easier trip in Kansas. If you need help with your travel plans, you can ask for more information anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Kansas airport has the most passenger traffic?

Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) is the biggest and the busiest airport in Kansas. It takes care of the most passenger traffic in the state. The airport has a lot more airline flights and passengers getting on planes than any other airport in Kansas. This makes eisenhower national airport the main spot for people who want to travel in the area.

Are there any international airports in Kansas?

No, you will not find an international airport inside the state of Kansas. But, people who live in Kansas can use Kansas City International Airport. This airport is called kansas city international airport, or MCI. It sits just across the state line in Missouri. The kansas city international offers many flights to different countries and has a lot of commercial service. People can fly to many places in the united states from here.

Where can I find a complete list of airports in Kansas?

You can see a full list of every public airport in Kansas on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website. The FAA keeps a big database called the national plan of integrated airport systems. This database shows details and location codes (FAA LID) for each place.