WICHITA, KANSAS (KSN TV) — The new Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is open, and the first passengers took off just after 5 a.m.
State and local officials were on hand Wednesday morning as the terminal mark its first day of business.
The first flight according to the airport was a United Airlines flight to Chicago. The flight was followed by American Airlines flight to Dallas. The flight to Dallas was delayed for a short time due to power on the plane.
“They erroneously said it was something to do with the jet bridge. We measured what the jet bridge was providing, which it was actually what we said it was supposed to be providing,” said Pat McCollom, Wichita Airport Authority Manager. “We actually had to bring more outside equipment in to power up the aircraft which it has been powered up and has left the terminal at this point, but it enabled United Airlines to be able to be the first flight out of the terminal.”
Other flyers KSN talked to Wednesday morning expressed an improvement from the old facility.
“For the last 19 years or so, I’ve been a project manager, and so I fly out regularly out both the old airport, and now this new airport for the first time. I like it. It’s very clean, very well-lit,” said Roy Riggs, passenger. “The escalator wasn’t working this morning, but I saw the technicians working on it and like any construction project I’ve been on there’s those little hiccups in life.”
“From what I know, I didn’t have to walk near as far. That was kinda nice because it seemed like anytime I had a flight out of Wichita, it was always the furthest terminal, and now it’s just up the elevator and right on down,” said Joe Zollinger, passenger.
Officials said if you are traveling, you should arrive at the new airport early to navigate the new parking garage, get to your proper gate, and even have the chance to look around.
The new terminal features glass jetways and it has 12 gates on two levels, although three of the gates won’t be open until further work is done, which could take up to a year.
Late last year, the airport changed its name to Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport from Mid-Continent Airport after the city council approved the name change. The new logo for the airport was revealed earlier this year.