Davids Announces Major Federal Investment to Build New Air Traffic Control Tower at Olathe AirCenter

Today, Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) announced she secured a $2.6 million Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant to help build a new air traffic control tower at Olathe’s New Century AirCenter to improve safety and operations at one of the region’s key aviation hubs.

“New Century AirCenter plays a vital role in supporting jobs, commerce, and connectivity across our region,” said Davids. “This investment, which I voted for, will help ensure pilots, workers, and passengers are operating in a safer, more modern facility that can meet the demands of continued growth in Johnson County and the Kansas City metro area.”

New Century AirCenter is a critical hub for business aviation, freight activity, and regional economic development in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The new air traffic control tower will modernize operations at the airport by improving air traffic coordination, enhancing safety for pilots and airport personnel, and increasing the facility’s capacity to manage growing aviation demand. The project is part of a broader effort to ensure the airport can safely and efficiently support continued economic growth across Johnson County and the surrounding region.

“This award represents a major milestone for Johnson County and underscores the critical role New Century AirCenter plays in supporting regional aviation and economic development,” said Bryan Johnson, Executive Director, Johnson County Airport Commission. “The investment reflects strong federal confidence in the airport’s continued growth and its importance as a transportation and business hub for the region.”

Davids has long supported investments in New Century AirCenter and regional transportation infrastructure. She previously visited the AirCenter to share her priorities for the FAA reauthorization discussions. She also announced federal grants for structural and safety improvements to multiple runways that have experienced deterioration in recent years.

With more than 96,000 operations each year, roughly 120 aircraft, and a 7,339-foot main runway — the second-longest in the region — New Century AirCenter ranks among the busiest towered airports in Kansas.

Federal funding for this grant was secured through an FY2026 appropriations package, which Davids voted for earlier this year.