Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport

Opened in 1927 and named for former Kansas City mayor Charles B. Wheeler, this compact downtown airport operates from a single terminal and serves as the city’s primary general-aviation hub for charters, flight schools and corporate jets. Located just north of downtown Kansas City near the River Market and easy links to I-35/I-70, MKC is reachable by car, taxi, rideshare and local bus lines in minutes, making it a convenient alternative to larger airports. Generally considered more affordable for private flyers and short-hop charters than the major commercial airport, it isn’t a hub for big airlines but hosts several charter operators and flight-training bases.