Alleges City Is Creating Unfair Competition At Wheeler Airport

Executive Beechcraft, which operates the largest terminal a Kansas City's Wheeler Airport on land leased from the city, is now suing the city and James Stowers III who is developing a competing terminal and aviation facility at the airport. BBA USA Holdings, which purchased Executive Beechcraft in 2007, said it would have paid less for the company if it had knows about the coming competition at wheeler.

BBA maintains in the suit that the city said it would be the only executive terminal at Wheeler when it purchased Executive. City Attorney Galen Beaufort said the city disagrees with that contention, and will "vigorously" defend the city's position in court.

The Kansas City Star reports that the airport has undergone nearly $70 million in improvements and new construction over the past several years. Hangar 10, which opened in May, is part of a $20 million private development funded by Stowers, who is the son of the founder of American Century Investments.

The suit, filed last week in Jackson County Circuit Court, seeks unspecified damages.

FMI: www.16thcircuit.org