St. Louis Downtown Airport

What St. Louis Downtown Airport does

St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) is a publicly owned, FAA Part 139-certified general aviation airport located in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, approximately five minutes from downtown St. Louis and the Gateway Arch. Founded in 1929 and operated since 1965 by Bi-State Development (a bi-state government agency spanning Illinois and Missouri), it ranks as the third busiest airport in Illinois outside Chicago and spans over 1,000 acres with three runways (including a 7,002-foot grooved primary runway with ILS approaches) and 29 acres of ramp space rated for 175,000-pound aircraft. The airport provides safe, private aviation services to corporate flight departments, charter operators, and private pilots with no landing fees, supported by a 24-hour Jet Aviation FBO, an award-winning fire department with ARFF Index B capability, and TSA Gateway Airport designation.

The airport's commercial activity is anchored by a diversified tenant base of more than 25 aviation-related businesses. Gulfstream Aerospace operates its second-largest global footprint at the site, employing over 700 workers in aircraft completions, outfitting, and MRO following a $30 million expansion completed in May 2025. Other major tenants include West Star Aviation (a top-ranked MRO with an in-house academy), St. Louis University's Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science (the nation's oldest federally certified flight school), Ideal Aviation, Gateway Jets, and multiple helicopter and charter operators. The airport generates revenue through recurring monthly hangar rentals ($117-$350/month for individual T- and L-hangars), long-term land and property leases for aviation and industrial development, FBO fuel sales and service fees via Jet Aviation, and tenant business activity. It has no direct revenue figure disclosed, but contributes $422 million in annual local economic impact and supports 1,500+ direct jobs across the airport and tenants (or 3,700+ jobs when including the surrounding business park).

Operationally, the airport is in a sustained capital investment cycle, executing a $25-30 million multi-phase Taxiway Bravo reconstruction (2025-2027), a $3.6 million state-funded new general aviation terminal breaking ground mid-2026, a recently completed $5.4 million Ground Engine Run-Up and Compass Calibration Pad, and a $1.16 million USDOT-funded access road rehabilitation. These projects are funded through a combination of FAA grants, State of Illinois Rebuild Illinois program funds, and USDOT appropriations. The airport serves as the central hub for general aviation in the St. Louis metropolitan region and participates in regional workforce development through partnerships with St. Louis University, Southwestern Illinois College, and the St. Louis Regional Freightway.

Name

St. Louis Downtown Airport

Legal name

St. Louis Downtown Airport

Website

https://stlouisdowntownairport.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) is an FAA Part 139-certified general aviation airport near downtown St. Louis, owned by Bi-State Development, serving corporate flight departments, charter operators, private pilots, and over 25 on-airport tenants including Gulfstream Aerospace's second-largest global completion facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dupo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Hangar and Facility Rentals: Monthly rental income from T-hangars (cold storage for 37 aircraft), box hangars, and corporate hangar facilities. Rates range from $117/month for small L-hangars to $350/month for larger T-hangars, with custom corporate hangar rates negotiated separately.
2. Land and Property Leases: Long-term ground leases for aviation-related businesses and developers. The airport offers non-aeronautical land for office, industrial, or hangar storage use with no personal property taxes in Illinois.
3. FBO Services and Fuel Sales: Jet Aviation operates the 24-hour FBO providing de-icing, refueling (Jet-A and 100LL Avgas), ground handling, and aircraft support services. Revenue generated through fuel sales and service fees.
4. Tenant Business Revenue: The airport benefits from tenant businesses including Gulfstream Aerospace (maintenance, repair, overhaul, completions), flight schools, charter services, and MRO operations that contribute to regional economic impact.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) is a public general aviation airport providing safe, convenient, and private aviation services minutes from downtown St. Louis. The airport generates revenue through T-hangar and corporate hangar rentals, land/property leases for aviation businesses, and on-airport Fixed Base Operator services (Jet Aviation) covering fueling, de-icing, ground handling, and concierge support. It also operates the St. Louis Downtown Heliport (MO7), an FAA-approved floating barge heliport at the Gateway Arch.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Services Full-service 24-hour FBO operated by Jet Aviation providing ground handling, fueling (Jet-A and 100LL Avgas), de-icing, executive lounges, conference rooms, crew services, and ground transportation coordination for aircraft up to Boeing 757. Located on the East Ramp with 29 acres of ramp space.
• T-Hangar and L-Hangar Rentals Monthly subscription rentals for cold storage of aircraft in T-hangars and L-hangars. T-hangar Standard (1,524 sq ft, 54 ft width) at $350/month, T-hangar Standard (990-986 sq ft, 40 ft width) at $230/month, L-hangar Standard (756 sq ft, 26 ft width) at $175/month, L-hangar Standard (495 sq ft, 20 ft width) at $117/month.
• Corporate and Box Hangar Rentals Custom-priced annual rental of corporate and box hangars for larger aircraft and aviation businesses. Rates negotiated directly with the airport based on facility specifications.
• Land and Property Leases Long-term ground leases for aviation-related businesses, developers, and corporations seeking aeronautical or non-aeronautical land for office, industrial, or hangar storage use. Illinois offers no personal property taxes, with St. Clair County providing additional incentives and assistance for new businesses.
• St. Louis Downtown Heliport Services (MO7) FAA-approved helicopter operations facility on a 175 ft × 54 ft floating barge moored 50 ft north of the Gateway Arch National Park, at elevation 385 ft MSL. Centrally located at the base of the Gateway Arch with direct park access. Supports helicopter charter, scenic tours (Gateway Helicopter Tours April–November, 10am–7pm daily), and special events.
• Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Services Award-winning airport fire department providing FAA ARFF Index B coverage with a 2009 Rosenbauer Panther 6X6 vehicle containing 3,000 gallons water, 400 gallons foam, 500 lbs dry chemical, and 460 lbs Halotron I. All personnel certified as EMTs, Airport Firefighters, Illinois Advanced Technician Firefighters, and HazMat Technicians.

Quantifiable outcome

• No landing fees attract general aviation traffic seeking cost-effective alternative to commercial airports
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Jet AviationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJet Aviation operates the airport's full-service, 24-hour Fixed Base Operator providing comprehensive ground and support services including de-icing, refueling, ground handling, executive lounges, and conference facilities. Located on the East Ramp, the international FBO has served the airport for more than 42 years.
• Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest tenant at the airport, Gulfstream operates aircraft completions and outfitting operations. Completed $30 million expansion in May 2025 supporting a workforce exceeding 700 employees. The facility is the second largest Gulfstream footprint globally, providing maintenance, repair, overhaul, and completions for business jets.
• St. Louis University Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNation's oldest federally certified flight school operating from Hangar 8 with approximately 30 aircraft. Partners with the airport on workforce development events including Girls in Aviation Day and hosts the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's SAFECON competitions.
• Ideal AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading flight training provider offering Part 141 and Part 61 programs for rotary and fixed-wing pilots. In partnership with Southwestern Illinois College, students can earn college credits for flight and ground training. Located on airport premises.
• West Star AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor MRO business voted #1 Preferred MRO for five consecutive years (2014-2018) by Professional Pilot Magazine's PRASE survey. Specializes in airframes, engines, modifications, interior refurbishment, paint and parts. Recently launched West Star Aviation Academy with 25 graduating students per class.
• Southwestern Illinois CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Ideal Aviation on flight training programs enabling students to earn college credits for aviation training. Part of regional workforce development pipeline for aerospace careers.
• Enterprise Rent-A-CarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOn-site car rental available at the FBO (Jet Aviation) with cars waiting upon landing. Airport contact: 618-337-6200.
• Gateway Helicopter ToursminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeasonal scenic helicopter tours of St. Louis Riverfront operating from St. Louis Downtown Heliport (MO7) April through November. Tours available 10am to 7pm daily.
• Bi-State DevelopmentflagshipOthersParent organization and enterprise operator of St. Louis Downtown Airport. Bi-State Development is a dynamic multi-faceted resource for economic development in the St. Louis region with more than six decades of experience building jobs and initiating economic development.
• St. Louis Regional FreightwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative regional initiative bringing together the five busiest airports in the bi-state St. Louis region (St. Louis Lambert, Spirit of St. Louis, MidAmerica St. Louis, St. Louis Downtown, St. Louis Regional) along with aerospace employers and education/workforce partners to address talent pipeline needs.
• A & S Helicopters Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFAA repair station for aircraft maintenance, modifications, and repair services (airframe, powerplant, propeller, all small aircraft). Service center for Bell and Robinson Helicopters. Located in Hangar 5 on the West Ramp.
• Corporate Air Charter and Helicopters, Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHelicopter and fixed-wing charter services, FAA repair station (airframe and powerplant). Located in Hangar 14. Frequency 123.025.
• North American HelicopterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAvailable helicopter charter services, flight instruction, computerized weather and flight planning, pilots lounge, restrooms, APU, FAA repair station. Located in Hangar 15 in the airport's NW corner.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS): Largest general aviation reliever in the St. Louis bi-state region, operated by St. Louis County. Directly comparable as a corporate/business aviation gateway in the same metro, competing for the same flight departments, FBOs, and MRO tenants.
• Paine Field (Snohomish County Airport, PAE): Washington State reliever serving Seattle's corporate aviation market with Boeing manufacturing adjacency. Comparable as an aerospace-cluster GA field where proximity to a major OEM drives MRO, completions, and corporate flight department traffic.
• Scottsdale Airport (SDL): Arizona GA reliever focused on business aviation, FBOs, MRO, and corporate hangars. Comparable mix of premium tenants, no-landing-fee positioning, and proximity-driven demand that mirrors St. Louis Downtown Airport's value proposition.
• MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV): Public airport co-located in Mascoutah, Illinois within the same St. Louis metro footprint. Comparable as a regional/corporate aviation gateway serving dual-state traffic and competing for general aviation and aerospace tenants.
• Centennial Airport (APA): Denver-area reliever serving corporate and general aviation, with extensive FBO, MRO, and flight-school ecosystem. Comparable as a suburban-proximity, fee-friendly reliever designed around business aviation and tenant development.
• DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK): Atlanta's primary corporate/business aviation reliever with corporate hangars, flight schools, and MRO operations. Highly comparable as a high-volume GA field hosting flight schools, MROs, and corporate flight departments in a major metro.
• Chicago Executive Airport (PWK): Premium Midwestern reliever airport serving the Chicago business corridor with corporate FBOs, hangars, and MRO tenants. Closest analog in scale, mix, and value proposition as a high-end business aviation gateway minutes from a major CBD.
• Dallas Executive Airport (RBD): Reliever airport in the Dallas metro serving corporate/business aviation with FBOs and MRO operators. Comparable as a city-proximity GA hub competing against a major commercial airport for private and corporate flight traffic.
• Falcon Field (KFFZ): Mesa, Arizona reliever airport supporting business aviation, MRO, flight training, and air museums. Comparable as a smaller-footprint GA reliever with MRO/flight-school tenant mix similar to KCPS's Ideal Aviation and West Star footprint.
• Van Nuys Airport (VNY): One of the busiest GA relievers in the U.S. and LA's premier private aviation gateway. Comparable as a high-traffic, high-value corporate/business aviation field with multiple FBOs, MRO tenants, and celebrity/private clientele.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/slda
• Facebookfacebook.com/KCPS.Airport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Louis Downtown Airport