Opposition by Kansas City’s LGBTQ commission has halted plans to include a Chick-fil-A in the new KCI airport. The decision comes while the Christian-owned fast-food chain ranks #1 in customer satisfaction across the nation
But push back continues against the Kansas City Council after it bowed to demands by the group that they not to allow a Chick-Fil-A restaurant in the $1.5 billion airport.
Vantage Airport Group (@VantageAirportG), the company recommended by the city’s aviation authority to run services at the upcoming terminal, scrubbed Chick-Fil-A from its list of proposed restaurants “to promote an inclusive environment,” a spokesperson for Vantage told Fox News. “We heard and respect the strong community reaction to the proposed Chick-Fil-A participation in the program. We have collectively made the decision to remove this brand from our concessions plan for the new terminal at KCI. Vantage strives to promote an inclusive environment at all our airports.”
The announcement comes a couple years after a similar situation unfolded at the San Antonio International airport, when city council officials rejected the restaurant’s bid to open a new location in the airport in 2019 over the company’s alleged “legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior.” The restaurant chain was later offered a spot in 2020 but ultimately declined opening in the airport.
Chick-fil-A often has come under fire from liberals for donations to Christian groups that support biblical marriage, such as the Salvation Army and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The company announced a donation policy shift in 2019 to focus on initiatives assisting in “the areas of education, homelessness and hunger.”
Controversy over the restaurant chain also unfolded at Notre Dame University, a Catholic institution, in July, with some students expressing outrage over the prospect of the fast-food chain opening on campus because of its past donations to Christian groups
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham took to Twitter during the controversy and said he would “go to war for the principles Chick-fil-A stands for.” It was announced later that month that the chain would ultimately open on campus this year.
Travelers passing through KCI will miss out on the tasty meals unlike much larger airports that include Chick-fil-A in their offerings. The restaurant is in airports in 19 different states and dozens of cities including Pittsburgh, Atlanta, LAX, and Philadelphia. Even Wichita, Kansas has one in their airport.
If you would like to contact Vantage Airport group you can call or email them. media_relations@vantageairportgroup.com or 604-269-0080.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice