2024 was a landmark year for St. Louis Downtown Airport, showcasing significant advancements in aviation operations and tenant expansions. Nestled in St. Clair County, Illinois, just minutes from the iconic Gateway Arch, this general aviation airport is rapidly establishing itself as a premier business aviation facility.
In a pivotal development, the Federal Aviation Administration granted St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) the designation of a National General Aviation Airport. This recognition, part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS), opens the door for the airport to access up to $1 million in federal grants for improvement projects in the coming fiscal years.
Sandra Shore, the airport director, emphasized the importance of this designation, stating, "This move was significant for KCPS and our 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. These improvements would provide enhanced infrastructure and even better services."
St. Louis Downtown Airport is also committed to nurturing the next generation of aviation professionals. In June, the airport hosted the annual Aviation Summer Academy, where over 20 high school seniors from eight states explored aviation careers through high-tech simulators, guest speakers, and hands-on experiences. The airport further encouraged young women to consider aviation careers during the annual Girls in Aviation Day event in October, which attracted around 130 participants.
Additionally, Southwestern Illinois College launched its inaugural three-day Aviation Summer Sampler Camp in July, introducing 18 high school juniors and seniors to the exciting world of aviation through panels, guest speakers, and actual flight experiences.
In August, the airport played a crucial role in the formation of the St. Louis Regional Aerospace and Aviation Task Force, aimed at addressing the urgent demand for skilled workers in the region, where over $5 billion in investments are generating approximately 1,000 new job opportunities.
Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises for Bi-State Development, which operates the airport, remarked, "The St. Louis area is historically rooted in aviation production, which continues to be a flourishing sector attracting significant investment. The formation of this Task Force will bring attention to the growing industry that continues to create jobs for St. Louis."
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., the airport's largest tenant, is actively involved in these efforts, including a youth apprenticeship program that offers students pathways to full-time employment upon graduation. Their $28.5 million expansion at the airport is expected to be completed in early 2025, with many of the 200 new positions already filled.
Flight operations at St. Louis Downtown Airport also saw a remarkable increase, reaching a total of 119,173 during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. This represents a 17% growth since FY22, marking three consecutive years of post-pandemic recovery.
Sandra Shore concluded, "The trend in increased flight operations shows aviation activity has returned to normal for private and business travel customers and aviation businesses. We're looking forward to continued growth in 2025."