Kansas City lands new HQ for Eastern Airlines; company invests $4.7M in site near airport

A cargo/charter airline’s move to consolidate its operations into a new Kansas City headquarters is expected to create 165 full-time jobs, company officials said Wednesday, announcing another win for the region connected to its investment in a new airport terminal.

“Kansas City and its airport have a great legacy in our industry,” said Stephen Buscher, chief financial officer for Eastern Airlines. “We did look at a number of cities to rebase our headquarters, but the enthusiasm of Missouri and the city combined with the generous assistance of the Missouri Works program made our decision easy. The new terminal and our experience proved that it is a metropolitan area investing in its future, and we are proud to be a part of the new airport community.”

Photo courtesy of Eastern Airlines

Eastern Airlines transitioned its headquarters from Wayne, Pennsylvania, to a site at 11500 N. Ambassador Drive in Platte County near the Kansas City International Airport at the end of 2023. The relocation required a $4.7 million capital investment, according to regional economic development leaders.

The company has had a presence in Kansas City since 2021 when it purchased a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility, Alta Aero Technic, LLC, and formed a passenger-to-freighter design company called Foxtrot Aero, LLC. The new terminal in Kansas City opened in spring 2023.

Relocating Eastern Airlines’ headquarters to Kansas City aligns with the company’s long-term vision, Buscher said. The move is expected to boost the local economy, creating new jobs — ranging from maintenance professionals, and pilots, to flight operations personnel — with an average salary of $96,000.

The company currently operates 12 airplanes, though it does not offer commercial passenger service out of Kansas City.

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“We’re thrilled to welcome Eastern Airlines,” said Steven Anthony, vice president of business development at the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC). “With a rich history of aviation in Kansas City, Eastern Airlines is a welcomed addition to our expanding economy.”

With a business-friendly environment and a strong transportation infrastructure, Eastern Airlines will benefit from Kansas City, Missouri’s skilled workforce, excellent transportation infrastructure and central location in the U.S., regional leaders said.

“Kansas City is an ideal location for Eastern Airlines to establish its new headquarters, offering accessibility to the rest of the country and a strong network of community partners and resources,” said Jill McCarthy, senior vice president of corporate attraction at the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC). “More and more, companies are choosing KC for their headquarters, and we’re excited to see Eastern Airlines join that growing list.”

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In mid-January 2024, Eastern announced its acquisition of Hillwood Airways and its fleet of passenger and cargo Boeing 737s, adding to its fleet of B767 and B777 aircraft. While Eastern Airlines is a certified 121 airline authorized to offer scheduled service (domestic and international), the company is focused on business-to-business charter operations, with a particular focus on U.S. government work.

The KCADC and EDCKC noted recruitment efforts to land Eastern Airlines in Kansas City also included support from the State of Missouri; Missouri Department of Economic Development; Platte County Economic Development Council; City of Kansas City, Missouri; Kansas City Aviation Department; TeamKC Life + Talent; CBRE; Colliers; Evergy; and Spire.