St. Louis Downtown Airport Director Reflects on Four Years of Progress

By Carmelo Turdo

Sandra Shore recently marked her fourth anniversary as the Director of St. Louis Downtown Airport. During her time as the airport director, she has presided over a time of significant progress while navigating the current turbulence in the aviation industry. New construction can be seen across the airport, while improvements to infrastructure are also underway. Aviation service businesses continue to grow and increase their economic impact to the region. Long-range projects, with their temporary inconveniences, are moving forward as the allocated resources become available.

Shore leads a small administrative staff along with the airport maintenance and firefighting personnel who provide daily support services to airport tenants and visitors. The airport is an enterprise of Bi-State Development, whose reach covers the City of St. Louis, six surrounding counties and iconic multi-modal resources including Metro Transit, the St. Louis Regional Freightway. the Eads Bridge, City/Arch/River development and recreational transportation surrounding the Gateway Arch.  

Previously, Shore was the Director of Quincy, IL Regional Airport, the 2019 Illinois Primary Airport of the Year, and before that Manager of the Floyd W. Jones Airport in Lebanon, MO. She is a graduate of the SIU-Carbondale Aviation Management Program and holds several AAAE credentials including Airport Accredited Executive. She has a passion for airport development that has a direct positive impact on the community.

St. Louis Downtown Airport has experienced significant investment for current and future infrastructure improvements. Gateway Jets, an aircraft management company, has completed construction of a new hangar and adjoining apron to better serve their growing clientele. Gulfstream Aerospace expanded their completions center, now employing over 700 skilled workers. The Taxiway Bravo reconstruction project is underway, and replacement of the main terminal building is scheduled to start later this year. Preservation and reutilization of the historic Curtiss-Wright hangars on the west apron have begun, and a self-serve fuel farm is completed and awaiting final inspection. Jet Aviation, the airport's FBO, will continue to offer their services, including team charter operations, throughout the current construction period. 

The Aero Experience visited with Sandra Shore on in May after she passed the four-year mark as St. Louis Downtown Airport Director to get an update since our first interview just a month into her tenure. Since then, she has built a record of accomplishments and set a course for the future of the airport. Topics covered in the accompanying video include:

Regional Cooperation Among St. Louis-Metro East Area Airport Directors

   

Airport Business Growth and Infrastructure Improvements

And Airport Tenant Activities  

News Release: St. Louis Downtown Airport Strengthens Role as Regional Economic Engine in 2025

[ST. LOUIS/January 27, 2026]  St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS), a premier general aviation airport located just minutes from the Gateway Arch in St. Clair County, Illinois, grew in its role as a regional economic engine in 2025. Throughout the year, KCPS experienced significant tenant investments and improvements in airport infrastructure, while continuing to be an active regional player in workforce development and industry attraction.

In 2025, the airport welcomed investments by tenants that augmented its own, strengthening St. Louis Downtown Airport’s ability to meet growing demand and ensure it remains a leading destination for business aviation. Among the most recent tenant investments is a new corporate hangar facility recently opened on the airport’s west side by aircraft management company Gateway Jets. The state-of-the-art hangar features 100-foot bi-fold doors and can accommodate up to five Citation aircraft.

This project follows Gulfstream Aerospace’s $30 million expansion of its completions and outfitting operations at the airport, completion of which was celebrated in May 2025. The investment added new equipment and machinery, supporting a growing workforce that now exceeds 700 employees. Gulfstream’s operations in the region encompass maintenance, repair, overhaul and completions, with the facility supporting the completion of brand-new business jets from the heart of the Midwest.

 

“Here at St. Louis Downtown Airport, our tenants are thriving, and many are expanding their operations,” said Airport Director Sandra Shore. “These investments reflect the confidence businesses have in KCPS as a critical gateway for the region and a strategic location for growth.”

 

Complementing tenant investments, KCPS is advancing several major capital improvement projects. The airport recently completed $1.1 million in improvements to a key access road, enhancing connectivity for the airport and more than 700 employees who work onsite. Work is also progressing on the Taxiway Bravo reconstruction project. Phase one, which includes drainage and site improvements, is wrapping up at a cost of $2.5 million. Phase two, a $14 million reconstruction of 3,500 feet of taxiway, begins this spring. The third and final phase – reconstruction of the remaining 3,500 feet of taxiway – is scheduled for 2027. The total investment is estimated at $25 to $30 million, with completion expected by the end of 2027. Importantly, the airport will remain fully operational throughout construction.

 

Shore said the airport also has secured $3.6 million in state funding for a new general aviation terminal, with construction slated to begin mid-2026. The project involves tearing down the existing 55-year-old terminal and rebuilding a modernized facility that better meets the needs of today’s business aviation customers. The airport will remain open during construction, which will take approximately one year.

 

“All of these improvements ensure we can continue to serve our customers well into the future,” Shore noted. “We’re building the infrastructure that supports growth and strengthens our position as a leader in business aviation.”

 

Workforce development also remained a priority for St. Louis Downtown Airport in 2025 as the region’s aerospace and aviation industry continues to grow. The airport collaborated with St. Louis University (SLU) and Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) on summer camps, academies and events, including Girls in Aviation Day, inspiring youth to explore careers in this vibrant ecosystem.  In October, KCPS partnered with SLU’s Flying Billikens to host the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s (NIFA) 2025 Region VI and VIII SAFECON event, welcoming ten collegiate teams from across the Midwest. Competitors showcased their skills in navigation, short-field landing, power-off landing and other aviation exercises. Winners from the event hosted locally are set to advance to the national competition in May 2026.

 

Located in the communities of Cahokia Heights and the Village of Sauget in Southwestern Illinois, St. Louis Downtown Airport serves as the region’s front door for business aviation, supporting more than 25 tenants. Collectively, the airport and its tenants generate more than $422 million in annual economic impact and sustain well over 1,500 jobs.

“With its strategic location and robust infrastructure, St. Louis Downtown Airport continues to attract investment and jobs, reinforcing its role as a vital contributor to the regional economy,” said Mary Lamie, executive vice president of Multimodal Enterprises for Bi-State Development, which owns and operates the airport as one its enterprises. “KCPS is more than an airport—it’s an economic powerhouse and a catalyst for growth.”

 

To learn more about St. Louis Downtown Airport, visit www.stlouisdowntownairport.com.

Jerry Vallely
Public Affairs Manager
314-982-1458 (O) | 314-486-5553 (C) 

Gateway Jets Opens New Hangar Facility at St. Louis Downtown Airport

By Carmelo Turdo

Gateway Jets, the St. Louis area's premier aircraft management company, has opened their new corporate hangar complex on the west side of St. Louis Downtown Airport. After many months of planning and construction, the hangar and apron will now serve as the base for Gateway Jets clients. The hangar can accommodate up to five Citation aircraft along with amenities to provide a first-class aircraft ownership and travel experience. 

The Aero Experience recently visited with Corey Tomczak, owner and President of Gateway Jets, to get a preview of the new hangar. Aircraft access is provided via a taxiway to the new adjoining apron, and a 100-foot long, bi-fold door allows easy movement in and out of the hangar for most corporate jet types. Gateway Jets clients will have a 10' x 10’ private entrance door from the street for secure indoor vehicle parking. Here we will give an overview of the main hangar space, showing the space available even with a Citation XL, Citation Mustang and Beech Baron parked inside. We will tour the crew and passenger service area soon when it is completely furnished with a flight operations center, conference room, kitchen, bathrooms, a shower, laundry and a lounge.   

In the video below, Tomczak elaborates on opening the new hangar and shows us the Citation XL, the largest jet currently managed by Gateway Jets. Courtesy services such as food stocks and professional detailing, as shown in the video, are included. Aircraft inspections and preventive maintenance are provided by industry leaders such as West Star Aviation. Other services offered by Gateway Jets include aircraft brokerage, flight crews and aircraft hangar rental.

Corey Tomczak started Gateway Jets in 2013 to provide personalized aircraft management services to the St. Louis market. Now the company is the largest of its kind in the metropolitan area. Gateway Jets specializes in the Cessna Citation series, a proven design that offers an efficient and effective aircraft model for each client's mission. 

Getting the best value from your aircraft, and also running your own business, is not always feasible. That is where Gateway Jets can help. Corey Tomczak and his staff can expertly guide new owners, upgrade clients through the acquisition process and manage the aircraft's operation, crewing, maintenance and regulatory compliance.

In many cases, an aircraft management company can turn a good business into a great business by providing direct, cost-effective air transportation to where the next big deal will be struck or to visit with regional site managers. Knowing that your aircraft is well maintained, stocked and crewed takes much of the stress away from using the aircraft as a great asset. St. Louis area aircraft owners can have that peace of mind when entrusting their aircraft to locally-based Gateway Jets. 

“Gateway Jets is a company designed to give the client the best experience of owning an aircraft at a reasonable cost," Tomczak told The Aero Experience. "Our business is to provide a mission-ready, safe, clean aircraft while looking out for our client's best interests. We take care of the whole operation so that they can just arrive and fly knowing that their aircraft is in good hands. Leave the fine details up to us. Your only job is to arrive and fly." 

Gateway Jets is ready to help with your aircraft acquisition, crewing, and operations management needs.  Contact Gateway Jets today and put your aviation assets in good hands!

Gateway Jets Building New Facility at St. Louis Downtown Airport

By Carmelo Turdo 

Gateway Jets, the St. Louis area's premier aircraft management company, has broken ground and started construction on a new corporate hangar on the west side of St. Louis Downtown Airport. After many months of planning, a hangar and apron foundation are now ready for gravel delivery and the pouring of concrete during this warm weather spell. Construction will continue as much as possible throughout the next few months, with a spring grand opening planned. 

The Aero Experience met with Corey Tomczak, Founder and President of Gateway Jets, for an update on the project. We surveyed the site and discussed the future of Gateway Jets at this new, central location where a portion of the managed aircraft fleet will reside.

The Gateway Jets hangar is designed to accommodate five managed Citation jets. The structure will measure 140' X 95' with a 100' bi-fold door. The accompanying apron is 80 feet with access to the existing taxi lane, which will be widened. The nearby fence and gate will be moved back 30 feet toward the street to provide the necessary wingtip clearance as the jets taxi in and out. Gateway Jets clients will have a 10' x 10’ private entrance door from the street for secure indoor vehicle parking. Inside amenities will include a utility area, conference room, kitchen, bathrooms, a shower and a waiting area with access to the apron. 

The new corporate hangar complex will consolidate aircraft operations while improving client comfort and access to their aircraft. Crews will also have a central flight operations center for more efficient flight planning and logistics support.

Corey Tomczak started Gateway Jets in 2013 to provide personalized aircraft management services to the St. Louis market. Now with ten aircraft under contract, the company is the largest of its kind in the metropolitan area. Gateway Jets specializes in the Cessna Citation series, a proven design that offers an efficient and effective aircraft model for each client's mission. Gateway Jets also manages other aircraft, including the TBM line of turboprops.

Getting the best value from your aircraft, and also running your own business, is not always feasible. That is where Gateway Jets can help. Corey Tomczak and his staff can expertly guide new owners, upgrade clients through the acquisition process and manage the aircraft's operation, crewing, maintenance and regulatory compliance.

“Gateway Jets is a company designed to give the client the best experience of owning an aircraft at a reasonable cost," Tomczak told The Aero Experience. "Our business is to provide a mission-ready, safe, clean aircraft while looking out for our client's best interests. We take care of the whole operation so that they can just arrive and fly knowing that their aircraft is in good hands. Leave the fine details up to us. Your only job is to arrive and fly.

“When our clients sign up for Gateway Jets, we offer flexibility, especially in the way that it’s staffed," Tomczak continued. "Since we specialize in the Citation Family, as long as they have a Citation, right off the bat, they have access to six captains right from the get-go. I’ve been flying the CJ Series for sixteen years now and managing them for ten, and I’ve really become an expert in what it takes to make this a safe operation. And we know which shops specialize in certain aspects of maintenance and we can go there when it’s needed.”

The Aero Experience will post regular updates as the construction of the Gateway Jets hangar continues. For more on the Cessna Citation Family of aircraft, see our previous series: Citation CJ Line Brings Comfort and Efficiency to Business Jet Travel, Parts 1,2,3,4

Girls In Aviation Day Hosted by St. Louis University - Expanded Edition

By Carmelo Turdo

St. Louis University's Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science hosted Girls In Aviation Day September 18 at their St. Louis Downtown Airport flight operations facility. Over 100 students from area high schools arrived for registration by 9:00 A.M. to begin a fun and informative day of aviation activities. This annual event continues to grow, with several attractions added this year. Sponsors include GoJet Airlines, Gulfstream Aerospace, Ideal Aviation and the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association (GSLBAA). The keynote speaker was Stephanie McCloud, a Delta Airlines flight attendant, U.S. Air Force Reservist and Founder of Take Flight Girls, a nonprofit organization formed to introduce girls and minorities to aviation and entrepreneurship. 

The Aero Experience coverage begins with a look at the aircraft on display outside of the hangar prior to the student arrivals. Organizations represented include AeroCareers, St. Louis University and Gateway Jets.

St. Louis University provided three aircraft for display on the apron outside of their hangar, including the primary and instrument trainer Diamond DA-20, a new-generation Piper Archer used for commercial and cross-country training and a Piper Seminole twin-engine trainer. The students climbed aboard the aircraft and learned about the university's flight program from the instructors stationed near each one. St. Louis University's Parks Air College heritage goes back to its founding in 1927 as the first federally certified flight school in the country. Celebrations are already being planned for the centennial anniversary just a few short years away.

AeroCareers was also represented with an outdoor aircraft display. Students explored the Lancair Columbia, The New Spirit of St. Louis, that Erik Lindbergh used in 2002 to recreate his famous grandfather's solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean seventy-five years earlier in 1927. The aircraft will again take to the air soon after having been hangared at the airport for over a decade. Also on display was a full-scale reproduction of the original Spirit of St. Louis cockpit produced by Parks College for the Flight City Exhibition held at the Missouri Historical Society in 2007. AeroCareers is a nonprofit organization that provides career education and mentoring for those seeking aviation and aerospace careers. Special thanks to Bob McDaniel, Nick Turk and Eve Cascella for supporting Girls In Aviation Day. 

Gateway Jets provided a Cessna Citation CJ2+ jet to represent the business aviation sector of the aviation industry at Girls In Aviation Day. Corey Tomczak, Owner of Gateway Jets, was on site to explain the features of the jet and show the students the interior comfort it provides. Gateway Jets is an aircraft management and brokerage company based at St. Louis Downtown Airport that specializes in the Cessna Citation line of business jets, from the entry-level Mustang through the CJ Series to the Excel. We thank Corey Tomczak for bringing this Citation to Girls In Aviation Day.

The St. Louis Downtown Airport Fire Department was also represented at Girls In Aviation Day. The students received a tour of the Panther Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle and met Airport Director Sandra Shore.

A special highlight of the event came with the arrival of the GoJet/United Express CRJ-550 regional jet after a short flight from St. Louis-Lambert International Airport. Along with being a sponsor of the event, GoJet is the St. Louis-based regional carrier that exclusively flies the Bombardier CRJ-550 under the United Express banner to over fifty destinations from the Midwest to the east coast. Although St. Louis Downtown Airport receives sports team and entertainment artist charter aircraft, it was unusual to see the United Express jet arrive and await a tug for the tow back to the St. Louis University hangar.  

Here we show the sequence of the arrival of the GoJet CRJ-550 on Girls In Aviation Day. First to deplane were St. Louis University students, members of the Parks College of St. Louis University Chapter of Women In Aviation International, who assisted Amy Preis, Outreach Coordinator for St. Louis University's School of Science and Engineering, with planning of the event. GoJet's President and CEO, Richard Leach, followed the students off the aircraft along with the flight crew and support staff. 

The students were eager to explore the GoJet CRJ-550, and they soon got their opportunity. Here we show them in the first-class section and in the cockpit, accompanied by the very helpful and friendly crew. The aircraft remained on site until the end of the event before being towed out for departure shortly after 2:00 P.M. Special thanks to GoJet for investing significant resources into making this event a great success. 

Local aviation and aerospace organizations provided exhibits in the hangar throughout the event. Sponsors St. Louis University, Ideal Aviation, GSLBAA and Gulfstream Aerospace were joined by West Star Aviation, St. Louis-Lambert International Airport, Transportation Security Administration, St. Louis Air Traffic Control and Scott AFB among others.

Several speakers were part of the program, lending their knowledge and experience to the benefit of the students. Amy Preis introduced each speaker, starting with Stephen Magoc, Chair of Aviation Science, School of Science and Engineering, at St. Louis University. He can often be found at community events promoting aviation careers and the opportunities offered by St. Louis University. Also, a panel of St. Louis University students answered questions pertaining to their experience in the Aviation Science program, flight training and career development. One of the students, Mary Cortesi (center), has qualified for a USAF pilot training slot after she graduates next year.

Richard Leach, President and CEO of GoJet Airlines, addressed the students briefly before the Keynote speaker. His remarks, in part:

This is really an honor. We need amazing folks in our industry. The future of our industry is bright, and when I look around this room, there are a lot of leaders that could be leaders in our industry as well...

It's so great that you're coming to a program like this because there is a pathway, there is a roadmap, and it's not that difficult to navigate. It is achievable. It's so important, and so great, that you're here participating in this. This is your first step of what could be a great career for you...

The aviation sector is not so much a job, it really is like a way of life. You find a way to incorporate it into your life and make it something very exciting. I mean the world becomes a smaller place when you work in aviation. You can have breakfast in one city, lunch in another one, dinner in another...

After forty-three years in the business, when I see this much interest in our community, it excites me and it makes me remember why I got in the business...It takes a passion, it takes a commitment, but I think it's something you can do very well.

The keynote speaker, Stephanie McCloud, an advocate for aviation careers for women and minorities, leads by example as a U.S. Air Force Reservist, Delta Airlines Flight Attendant and Founder of Take Flight Girls.  Her remarks, in part:

We set forth with a mission to expose, enrich, educate and empower girls on the vast aviation and aerospace careers and opportunities. We made it our goal to provide resources and hold events aimed to do this. We've issued over ten thousand scholarships, we've connected countless girls to resources and mentors and inspired them to pursue their dreams in aviation, aerospace and entrepreneurship... 

I love what I do. It's the most rewarding and flexible job you can imagine. Once you join the aviation industry, it's more like a lifestyle, not just a career.

The Aero Experience thanks St. Louis University, GoJet Airlines and all of the organizations that contributed to making this event a success.