Total flight operations at St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) in 2021 was 101,938. That is the highest total for the airport in the past five years. That number exceeds 2019 numbers by more than 5%, which is significant considering the coronavirus pandemic continued to significantly impact air travel in 2021. It represents a 31.2% increase over the 2020 flight operations — a strong signal that private and business travel customers returned to the skies and flew in and out of the closest airport to downtown St. Louis.
“The overall trend for the first half of 2022 confirmed the rebound is continuing, with flight operations in June topping 10,100, the highest monthly total over the past five years,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multi-Modal Enterprises for Bi-State Development. Bi-State Development owns and operates St. Louis Downtown Airport, which is the busiest general aviation airport in Illinois.
“Our aviation customers choose to fly to St. Louis Downtown Airport for convenient access to the central business district, educational institutions, major sporting events, concerts, races and more,” said Sandra Shore, Director of St. Louis Downtown Airport. “They also appreciate the great service offered by a professional team that accommodates their varying needs in a pleasant environment that’s convenient and uncongested.”
Future growth at the airport will be supported by a new Ground Engine Run-Up facility, which is a critical improvement that will benefit four aircraft maintenance providers operating at St. Louis Downtown Airport. The project is funded via a $5 million state grant from the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure plan. This project will support more than 450 high-tech aerospace manufacturing jobs by improving production safety, reliability and efficiency, improving airport businesses and increasing global competitiveness for Southwestern Illinois and the State of Illinois. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
To learn more about St. Louis Downtown Airport, visit www.stlouisdowntownairport.com.