Year-In-Review: Positive momentum continues for St. Louis Downtown Airport

 

With tenant expansions nearing completion, flight operations soaring, and efforts to build a pipeline of future skilled workers for the region’s aviation and aerospace industry accelerating, 2024 marked another exciting year for St. Louis Downtown Airport. The momentum is showing no signs of slowing for 2025.

Earlier in the year, the Federal Aviation Administration notified St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) that it now meets the standard to be recognized as a National General Aviation Airport. The designation derived from the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) identifies existing and proposed airports that are considered significant to national air transportation and thus may be eligible to receive federal funds. This move was significant for KCPS and its tenants as it opened the door for the airport to receive up to $1 million in additional grants in FY25 and FY26 for eligible airport improvement projects. Those improvements would provide even better infrastructure and services.

Several signature events held at the airport throughout the year played a key role in fostering the next generation of aerospace and aviation professionals. In June, Saint Louis University’s (SLU) Parks Department of Aviation Science hosted its annual Aviation Summer Academy. More than 20 high school seniors from eight states were introduced to the world of aviation and the exciting careers within it. Students learned flight basics using high-tech simulators, heard from guest speakers about flight careers, stepped into the cockpit of different aircraft to gain hands-on experience, and experienced the thrill of flight.

Another 18 area high school juniors and seniors were introduced to the fascinating world of aviation during Southwestern Illinois College’s inaugural three-day Aviation Summer Sampler Camp in July. They learned about all aspects of aviation through a combination of hands-on experiences, panels with students and professionals, presentations by special guest speakers and a flight experience in the cockpit of a real plane.

Additionally, SLU hosted its annual Girls in Aviation Day event at KCPS in October for approximately 130 young women from more than a dozen area high schools and organizations. The day’s interactive activities helped educate attendees about the aviation industry and encourage them to pursue related careers, with the aim of increasing the number of women working in the industry.

In August, KCPS was pleased to be among five area airports assisting with the launch of the St. Louis Regional Aerospace and Aviation Task Force, along with the St. Louis Regional Freightway and area leaders in aerospace manufacturing and service, education and workforce training. The launch was in response to more than $5 billion in planned investments that are creating urgent demand for workers to fill an estimated 1,000 new positions in the region.

“The St. Louis area is historically rooted in aviation production, which continues to be a flourishing sector attracting significant investment,” said Mary Lamie, executive vice president of Multi Modal Enterprises for Bi-State Development, which owns and operates the airport. “The formation of this Task Force will bring attention to the growing industry that continues to create jobs for St. Louis, and it will help to connect aspiring aerospace and aviation professionals to the many resources available to develop their skills so they can be a part of this vibrant ecosystem.”

A key participant in the Task Force is the airport’s largest tenant – Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. Gulfstream remains engaged in a variety of initiatives contributing to successful recruiting locally, including a youth apprenticeship program with Cahokia High School, Belleville School District and the Center for Academic and Vocational Excellence. The program offers the potential for students to receive full-time jobs upon graduation. Gulfstream’s $28.5 million expansion of its operations at the airport facility is well on its way to being completed in the first half of 2025. More than half of the 200 available positions announced as part of the expansion have already been filled – including locally onboarded talent – ranging from avionics employees, interior installers, painters, upholstery technicians, cabinet makers and various other technical positions that are key to Gulfstream’s growth at the airport.

Last but certainly not least, flight operations at St. Louis Downtown Airport increased to a total of 119,173 during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024. The data follows a continuing positive trend in year-over-year growth of flight operations. In fact, flight operations reported in FY24 represent a 17% increase since FY22, marking the third consecutive year of post-pandemic growth.

“The trend in increased flight operations shows aviation activity has returned to normal for private and business travel customers and aviation businesses,” said Sandra Shore, director of St. Louis Downtown Airport. “We’re looking forward to continued growth as we move into 2025.”

To learn more about St. Louis Downtown Airport, visit www.stlouisdowntownairport.com.

 

(Editor’s note: This story also appears in the January 2025 print edition of the Illinois Business Journal.)