St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) reported a 2.4% growth in flight operations during its financial year, which ended June 30, 2023, when compared to the previous year.
Flight operations for the year totaled 104,156.
The increase, marking the airport’s second consecutive year of growth, represents a 7% rise over pre-pandemic levels reported in fiscal 2019. KCPS serves as Illinois’ busiest general aviation airport outside of Chicago.
“The trend in increased flight operations is a positive sign that air travel is returning to normal for private and business travel customers,” says Mary Lamie, executive vice president of multi modal enterprises for Bi-State Development. “The biggest increases in flight operations were seen toward the end of our fiscal year, so we are optimistic that this upward trend will continue into the next year.”
KCPS also reported a 9.8% increase in gallons of fuel sold in fiscal 2023 over the previous year.
“Fuel sales have been climbing since the pandemic ended, which is encouraging,” says Sandra Shore, director of St. Louis Downtown Airport. “We are happy to see the overall positive trends as more aviation customers choose to fly in and out of St. Louis Downtown Airport.”
As part of the airport’s growth in flight operations, KCPS recently completed a $5.4 million Ground Engine Run-Up and Compass Calibration Pad project in mid-August—made possible from a $5 million Rebuild Illinois grant. The project is projected to reduce aircraft engine run-up noise by over 50%.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), KCPS generates over $422 million in economic impact for the region, which includes on-site spending and activities.
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