I think Catch would love such a flight as well;

hopefully PDX-OKC will happen, then OKC would have every major West Coast market covered except San Diego. That's actually awesome when you think about it.

OKC-PDX would be fantastic for me. I will be moving to Portland soon, but I would like to be back in Oklahoma City with my family as much as possible and a direct flight would certainly help achieve that objective.

I have a friend who is a mechanic for Alaska at AAR, he said Alaska really likes the response they've gotten in okc. He thinks a PDX flight would be their next addition in OKC.

it only makes sense, you have to figure there must be a sizable number of OKC pax flying/driving to DFW/DAL or IAH or DEN, and then connecting into PDX (like was/is the case with SEA). I think the NBA only adds to that with both cities having a team.

Hopefully will result in some kind of presence on the route; even if just once or a few times a week. :)

Flight plan: OKC airports request $3 million increase in capital outlay budget

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record June 7, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – Extensive capital improvements in Oklahoma City’s airports system will define a new fiscal year projected to see little growth in traffic.

Airports Director Mark Kranenburg presented an overall budget of $116.7 million for the City Council’s approval Tuesday, an increase of $3 million for operations and $3 million in capital outlays compared with fiscal year 2015-2016. Council members are reviewing several department budget proposals for the year that begins July 1.

The last big project that Will Rogers World Airport completed was to consolidate rental car company offices and parking lots and move them to a new center on S. Meridian Avenue, north of the main building. Customers are transported to and from the airport terminal on new, 35-foot CNG-powered buses. The relocation cost $36.6 million.

The airport also installed a $5 million generator to ensure all operations maintain power in case of bad weather or other system failure. An overhaul of two taxiways at Will Rogers cost $8.5 million, and a new checked baggage inspection system was finished for $16.7 million.

Overall, Will Rogers and other public airports such as Wiley Post Airport have served the industry well, Kranenburg said. However, upgrades are necessary to ensure the city doesn’t fall behind the market and miss out on carrier expansion opportunities.

“The nature of the airline industry is that revenue can sometimes be very volatile,” he said. “From a single passenger, we receive parking revenue, concession revenue and a passenger facility charge. … Our strategy is to increase and stabilize airport revenue.”

The Oklahoma City Airport Trust, the municipality’s oversight agency, already signed off on 2016-2017 projects such as $10 million for terminal expansion at Will Rogers, $3.7 million for a new parking ticket and revenue control system, and $3 million for new signage.

Wiley Post is due for a comprehensive airfield upgrade as well, with eight major projects, including new runways and signage, that will be handled in phases.

I am curious what is the plan for WRWA terminal expansion. I know there is the master plan for the East Concourse and Main Terminal visitor area/Expansion, but what is the plan/timeline for implementation?

I am curious what is the plan for WRWA terminal expansion. I know there is the master plan for the East Concourse and Main Terminal visitor area/Expansion, but what is the plan/timeline for implementation?

I don't know if this helps or not, this is the link to the airport website that has a page about the expansion http://flyokc.com/ConstructionUpdates.aspx

I don't know if this helps or not, this is the link to the airport website that has a page about the expansion http://flyokc.com/ConstructionUpdates.aspx

Adding that new security area will do wonders for Will Rogers. It will be so nice to be dropped off right by security and avoid wading through the ticketing area and ticketing area passenger drop off when flying without a checked bag. As Pete has mentioned a few times, It will also be great to finally separate the terminal exits/greeting areas from the security lanes. This should really streamline the process and completely open up the airport near those exits and clear out of lot of the congestion in the ticketing area. It will have a completely different feel when this is finished.

Someone may have already mentioned this, but the addition of live music to various parts of the terminal has been pretty cool. Nashville has always had ton of live music in their airport and Houston Bush just added something like this as did Love Field. Nice touch.

http://www.flyokc.com/jetsets.aspx

Adding that new security area will do wonders for Will Rogers. It will be so nice to be dropped off right by security and avoid wading through the ticketing area and ticketing area passenger drop off when flying without a checked bag. As Pete has mentioned a few times, It will also be great to finally separate the terminal exits/greeting areas from the security lanes. This should really streamline the process and completely open up the airport near those exits and clear out of lot of the congestion in the ticketing area. It will have a completely different feel when this is finished.


You know for the most part our airport is pretty good compared to many out there, but this is one area we lack in. Fixing this will make it that much better.

You know for the most part our airport is pretty good compared to many out there, but this is one area we lack in. Fixing this will make it that much better.

Exactly. A few more dining/drinking options wouldn't hurt and they are adding those too.

thanks for the project plan, but I was hoping for an update since the plan is 9 months old. Are we any closer to construction and if so, what? when?

http://www.news9.com/story/32303621/airport-opens-new-cell-phone-waiting-area

Adding that new security area will do wonders for Will Rogers. It will be so nice to be dropped off right by security and avoid wading through the ticketing area and ticketing area passenger drop off when flying without a checked bag. As Pete has mentioned a few times, It will also be great to finally separate the terminal exits/greeting areas from the security lanes. This should really streamline the process and completely open up the airport near those exits and clear out of lot of the congestion in the ticketing area. It will have a completely different feel when this is finished.

I mean ok - but seriously if you're flying with just a carry on and have a mobile BP, you can "wade through the ticketing area" in like 5 seconds. OKC is such an easy airport to fly in and out of.

I mean ok - but seriously if you're flying with just a carry on and have a mobile BP, you can "wade through the ticketing area" in like 5 seconds. OKC is such an easy airport to fly in and out of.

Agreed. The front door to the security line is like 60-80 feet. How close do you want it?

I mean ok - but seriously if you're flying with just a carry on and have a mobile BP, you can "wade through the ticketing area" in like 5 seconds. OKC is such an easy airport to fly in and out of.

I never said it was difficult or took a long time to get through (I know, I do it almost weekly), just that it can and will be better after the renovation. The security areas just look like they were crammed into the airport at the last minute (they were) and it will be nice to have a dedicated drop off area away from the dedicated airline drop off points. The new dedicated security area will make the airport feel much more open and will make it even easier than it already is.

I know this is slightly off topic, but since this is the airport thread I assume someone who works at WRWA views it.

Does anyone know who the OKC Dodgers charters their flights with for their away games? What about RAYO OKC and Energy FC?

I know this is slightly off topic, but since this is the airport thread I assume someone who works at WRWA views it.

Does anyone know who the OKC Dodgers charters their flights with for their away games? What about RAYO OKC and Energy FC?

PM Josh Ryan - he's real good about answering questions -

My family and I recently flew out of DFW and parked in one of the garages right next to our terminal. Saw these parking lights letting drivers know which spots are available. I thought it was really neat and wondered if WRWA might consider it?

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2014/11/at-dfw-airport-green-light-means-youve-found-yourself-a-parking-space.html/

I've been to a few places that had them. Very nice feature.

I know this is slightly off topic, but since this is the airport thread I assume someone who works at WRWA views it.

Does anyone know who the OKC Dodgers charters their flights with for their away games? What about RAYO OKC and Energy FC?
They bus

Pretty sure the Energy flies commercial. The had to reschedule a game with Vancouver this year because they got stuck in the Denver airport.

My family and I recently flew out of DFW

You shouldn't say that here. They'll have your head on a spike.

lol

The airport trust voted today to raise lot parking $1 per day and structured $2 effective 11/1.

That's probably good. The garage was the cheapest one I've ever seen at an airport.

That's probably good. The garage was the cheapest one I've ever seen at an airport.

Same.

Besides the parking rate news from Trust this morning, there was also an updated presentation (https://youtu.be/dXsSDDazX_c?t=24s) on the terminal expansion project.

I wouldn't argue with it being more expensive than that for the garage. They need to find the price that the garage is almost full at the busiest times. I hate showing up and finding the garage full, but right now it happens more often than not. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Did you catch this presentation from last month's Airport Trust Meeting? It's our parking study presentation (https://youtu.be/HxFhbLqsRh8?t=2m18s)and will give you a good sense of what our plans are for parking at WRWA.

It's about time, been missing out on that revenue for a loooong time.

Here are two options being considered for expanding the structured parking:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/airportpark1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/airportpark2.jpg

.

100 busiest U. S. Airports


#61 - Will Roger World Airport - OKC: http://www.listchallenges.com/100-busiest-us-airports



http://www.airportsreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Oklahoma-City-Airport-360x202.jpg

http://book2park.com/uploads/1349881438_OKC.jpg

http://www.flyokc.com/cms/GetImage.aspx?ID=80fee361-7a2e-47ab-8e88-a73e01c89fbf

http://airwaysnews.com/photos/2008/08/old-concourse-c_8303.jpg


WRWA moved up 2 spots from #63 in 2013 to #61 in 2015.

Here are two options being considered for expanding the structured parking:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/airportpark1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/airportpark2.jpg

I wish they would have built Garage C with the structural capability to have several more levels added to the top. That theoretical expanded Garage C combined with a 8-10 story Garage D would be more than sufficient for OKC's demand for the next decade. It seems that when Garage C opened, it was almost immediately full.

Also, did they ever do the aesthetic enhancements to the garage that were proposed? I seem to remember that appearing on an agenda and then never happened. Also, is Garage C still completely unpainted? It's nearly 10 years old now and still hasn't gotten a coat of paint if so. I didn't notice when I flew in a few weeks ago.

Flew out our airport this morning. Man I love how quick everything is. Seriously anyone who thinks Will Rogers is bad, has never done any significant travel.

I love flying from OKC because of how convenient the airport is, and how well organized it is (though some areas could be larger, but it appears they are fixing that with these future expansions).

Josh, are they definitely going to add a Garage D? I sure hope so. It is needed. My biggest complaint about the airport is parking. It is so frustrating to pull up to the airport and have the garage full (and at times even the covered shuttle full/closed), and not to be able to park in the garage when there is a chance of storms. Yes, there is also a convenience factor too. Don't discount that.

The shuttles to parking could also be more efficient. If they had a shuttle that went back and forth to the same lot it would help a lot. But you have to ride around the entire circuit of lots either when being picked up or being dropped off. It's so inefficient and frustrating. That's one reason why the garage is so much more convenient.

Here are all the renderings and more info:

www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=327-First-look-at-final-design-for-Will-Rogers-Airport-expansion

So, the new security will be centralized on the east end? Meaning, if I'm flying American I have quite a walk ahead...

So, the new security will be centralized on the east end? Meaning, if I'm flying American I have quite a walk ahead...

Or United, Alaska, and Allegiant. Hopefully they choose to keep the west open.

Building the existing terminal on the framework of the old 1970's terminal is continuing to show as a poor decision. The footprint is just not large enough.

So, the new security will be centralized on the east end? Meaning, if I'm flying American I have quite a walk ahead...

They said in the presentation that both existing security points will be converted to meeter/greeter lounges.

They said in the presentation that both existing security points will be converted to meeter/greeter lounges.

It's a longer walk, but honestly I feel like we've been spoiled with having the two security points. Think about some other airports where you go through TSA and how far you have to travel to get to your actual gate. Maybe it's a thinly veiled attempt to lean up Oklahomans :)

The new one will be *huge* and I bet that one spot will move people through much quicker than the two existing spots.

Remember, they had already started work on the last airport reno when 9/11 happened and changed everything. So, they had to improvise with what we have now.

The new one will be *huge* and I bet that one spot will move people through much quicker than the two existing spots.

Remember, they had already started work on the last airport reno when 9/11 happened and changed everything. So, they had to improvise with what we have now.

I wouldn't be surprised if the total amount of "time" you'll be on your feet will be shorter, even if the "distance" will be longer.

They said in the presentation that both existing security points will be converted to meeter/greeter lounges.

Another ridiculous decision. Virtually every other airport puts arrivals on the lower level and departures on the top level. The mixing of people waiting, departing, and arriving creates confusion and really jams things up.

^

Yes, I've made the same point several times.

I don't know if it's been mentioned but you can no longer wait for people at the curb downstairs. You have to go to a waiting/parking area just to the north of the terminal and wait to get a text from the arriving passenger, then quickly pick them up and move on.

Depart from the west, arrive from the east. no traffic jams.

I don't know if it's been mentioned but you can no longer wait for people at the curb downstairs. You have to go to a waiting/parking area just to the north of the terminal and wait to get a text from the arriving passenger, then quickly pick them up and move on.

I think that rule has been in force for many years...

So, the new security will be centralized on the east end? Meaning, if I'm flying American I have quite a walk ahead...

But might not AA, United, etc. maybe make a switch to the new gates, leaving the west gates open?

But it's only been recently strictly enforced.

It only changed in the last month or so.

But it's only been recently strictly enforced.

It only changed in the last month or so.

They were enforcing it as early May. They had someone (either an officer or security) walking up to each car and sending them back around to the waiting area if the person they were picking up was not outside.

This was what I meant:

https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1771/5146

But might not AA, United, etc. maybe make a switch to the new gates, leaving the west gates open?

With only 3 available gates on the east concourse extension, AA would be the only one likely to move from the west concourse. UA has 5 gates. I honestly don't know who will try for those 3 gates but my money is on Delta.

But might not AA, United, etc. maybe make a switch to the new gates, leaving the west gates open?

I didn't even think about that. Good point.

Any way the airport can redo the pick up area down by baggage claim? It is so damn cramped down there it's ridiculous.

Another ridiculous decision. Virtually every other airport puts arrivals on the lower level and departures on the top level. The mixing of people waiting, departing, and arriving creates confusion and really jams things up.

Huh? I've flown in and out of all of the busiest airports in the US and tons of others, the only one I can think of that splits arriving and departing passengers by levels within the secured area is Vegas.

Outside of security OKC is split by level.

Huh? I've flown in and out of all of the busiest airports in the US and tons of others, the only one I can think of that splits arriving and departing passengers by levels within the secured area is Vegas.

Outside of security OKC is split by level.

I am referring to where you are put when you leave security as an arriving passenger. Most airports send you straight to the bottom floor for arrivals, they do not dump you out into the departure ticketing lobby.

I am referring to where you are put when you leave security as an arriving passenger. Most airports send you straight to the bottom floor for arrivals, they do not dump you out into the departure ticketing lobby.

I hate that so much. It needs to be fixed at Will Rogers.

Aren't we only talking about 10 feet or so before hitting the escalator down to the baggage claim?

Aren't we only talking about 10 feet or so before hitting the escalator down to the baggage claim?

Tons of people clog that area up waiting for arriving passengers also making it difficult for those going up to the departure level to get where they need to go. Meet and greet needs to be downstairs and there doesn't need to be anyway for arriving passengers to dump onto the departure level. Keep the two flows separate and keep all of the people waiting for passengers downstairs on the arrivals area.

Tons of people clog that area up waiting for arriving passengers also making it difficult for those going up to the departure level to get where they need to go. Meet and greet needs to be downstairs and there doesn't need to be anyway for arriving passengers to dump onto the departure level. Keep the two flows separate and keep all of the people waiting for passengers downstairs on the arrivals area.

Based on the airports I fly through, will Rogers isn't that unique in that regard. At any rate, I like being able to leave the airport through the departure area...its 1000x easier to catch an uber upstairs than downstairs.

I was going to say Catch, SeaTac is the same way as WRWA - it just has a much larger space than WRWA but you can go direct into the lobby after leaving the TSA arrival or CHOSE to go downstairs.

Lots of people wait right at the TSA for arrivals at SeaTac; but I do agree at WRWA it is a bottleneck given it's mostly O&D there.