2 small airlines protest price of Kansas City airport plan

Two small airlines are protesting the price tag for the new single terminal project at Kansas City International Airport. Executives at Spirit and Allegiant airlines outlined their concerns in letters to the Kansas City Council Airport Committee, citing the $1.6b project price and cost-sharing issues, The Kansas City Star reported Friday. Voters approved the project last year, but the cost is supposed to be borne by airlines that use the airport. The project will create a single terminal to replace the three horseshoe-style buildings at Kansas City's main airport. Mayor Sly James said the dispute is over how the airlines will split costs and that the airlines themselves must work through it. James says the city will "push forward" with the project. "We will insist, however, that this resolution of their internal dispute be reasonable and fair and in no way diminish the flight or service options for our flying public," James said. "We're not going to allow this project, which is so important to this city, to be the platform for resolution of national issues and disputes between large and small airline carriers." He said the dispute includes how to pay for a $20m baggage claim system.<br/>