View Full Version : Will Rogers World Airport
Bellaboo 02-25-2024, 10:22 AM Am I the only person here who, while I think it would be cool, doesn’t really care at all whether we get an international flight? Not that it’s an either/or situation but if I had to choose, I’d rather we beef up our domestic non-stop options before moving beyond the borders. There seems to be an obsession with getting even a single international vacation option that I don’t really understand. Would it be cool? Sure. But does anyone here go to Cancun multiple times, or even once, a year?
It might not matter, but the NBA requires some international flights as a host for the All Star game.
Like I said, it might not matter anyway.
Richard at Remax 02-25-2024, 12:59 PM It might not matter, but the NBA requires some international flights as a host for the All Star game.
Like I said, it might not matter anyway.
Yeah it said you need a minimum of 20 international flights so we are DOA
HOT ROD 02-25-2024, 01:06 PM surely Indy doesn't have 20 International flights.
Richard at Remax 02-25-2024, 01:08 PM From what I read they got awarded the game in 2017 for the 2021? season and it got postponed to this year due to covid. That new rule came in after it was awarded. So no Indy moving forward
HOT ROD 02-25-2024, 01:16 PM thanks for clearing that up.
I personally think that rule is ridiculous and guarantees that the All-Star game will ONLY be in the top NBA markets; to the detriment of all small markets. Portland, probably the best positioned small market to have international flights - doesn't have 20. SLC, a delta hub, also likely doesn't have 20 (they may be THE exception though). New Orleans, a traditional tourism destination, likely doesn't have 20 (but they may?). Why have such a ridiculous International requirement when I seriously doubt droves of "fans" from outside the US are clamoring to the NBA All Star game aside from the usual gateway cities that already have the bulk of international flights. ....
kukblue1 02-25-2024, 01:38 PM thanks for clearing that up.
I personally think that rule is ridiculous and guarantees that the All-Star game will ONLY be in the top NBA markets; to the detriment of all small markets. Portland, probably the best positioned small market to have international flights - doesn't have 20. SLC, a delta hub, also likely doesn't have 20 (they may be THE exception though). New Orleans, a traditional tourism destination, likely doesn't have 20 (but they may?). Why have such a ridiculous International requirement when I seriously doubt droves of "fans" from outside the US are clamoring to the NBA All Star game aside from the usual gateway cities that already have the bulk of international flights. ....
NBA all-star game will pretty much be New York, Chicago, LA, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Philly, Miami, Vegas. Throw one more city in there and you have your 10 year rotation.
Does anyone know were the International Terminal area will be? What is going on with the land for where the hotel used to be?
Jeepnokc 02-25-2024, 02:31 PM thanks for clearing that up.
I personally think that rule is ridiculous and guarantees that the All-Star game will ONLY be in the top NBA markets; to the detriment of all small markets. Portland, probably the best positioned small market to have international flights - doesn't have 20. SLC, a delta hub, also likely doesn't have 20 (they may be THE exception though). New Orleans, a traditional tourism destination, likely doesn't have 20 (but they may?). Why have such a ridiculous International requirement when I seriously doubt droves of "fans" from outside the US are clamoring to the NBA All Star game aside from the usual gateway cities that already have the bulk of international flights. ....
Just for giggles, I looked at MSY (New Orleans). Per their website, they have 5x per week to London, 4x per week to Montreal, 3x per week to Honduras (how odd!), 1x daily to Toronto and 4 airlines offering seasonal 1x per week to Cancun and one airline offering 4x per week to Cancun.
scottk 02-25-2024, 02:57 PM .
Does anyone know were the International Terminal area will be? What is going on with the land for where the hotel used to be?
My understanding was that Gate 32 in the new East Terminal was built with the proper space for holding/customs area needed for international flights?
bison34 02-25-2024, 03:39 PM Just for giggles, I looked at MSY (New Orleans). Per their website, they have 5x per week to London, 4x per week to Montreal, 3x per week to Honduras (how odd!), 1x daily to Toronto and 4 airlines offering seasonal 1x per week to Cancun and one airline offering 4x per week to Cancun.
The London and Toronto ones have to be subsidized. I can't see 5 full flights from New Orleans to London or 7 to Toronto.
unfundedrick 02-25-2024, 08:36 PM I agree that i just want more non stops to any major destination domestic or international. However, I think more people would go to Cancun or other major destinations if it was easier to get to. I have friends that live in detroit and they do 3-4 day weekends to paris several times a year as it is easy for them to get there. We have started going to NYC more now that Delta has the non stop to LGA. Our second trip this year is planned for June for Billy Joel at MSG.
Many here may not remember but OKC had a nonstop flight to Cancun offered for a while. It was a charter flight. The return flight did have to make a stop to clear customs and immigration before continuing back to OKC. I believe the stop was in San Antonio.
bombermwc 02-26-2024, 07:50 AM If im the NBA, well i'm trying to make a big buzz for my game, this is an easy way to create buzz by ensuring that it only goes to those large markets. People from all over honestly want to go to those places and not any of the smaller markets. Do we want them to come here? Absolutely. We want to show off what we have. But I would put money on that feedback from people with influence (ie money) either as owners/spectators/etc has been that they dont want that particular game to be anywhere other than the largest of cities.
And for only one game that is really just about fun more than anything, is it worth a lot of extra effort to push for it? I'd personally say no. I'd rather have the Softball Tourney stay here...it brings in a LOT more to the actual city than that one game would. That's just an example, but I'm just saying that it's not that big of a deal.
For international, for me there isn't going to be much attraction because the planes themselves are going to be crappy little regional jets going to Mexico or maybe Canada. You're not going to fly from London to OKC. Honestly, where do we think we're going on these flights? I absolutely hate being on little regional jets for flights with OKC. I really wish all the airlines would stop using them and only use the smaller Boeing and Airbus planes. Overhead bins are my #1 annoyance and those regionals dont have room for crap. Then you want to ride one of those for an international flight? YUK!
I dont think we're ready for this in terms of flight volumes, to be honest.
PhiAlpha 02-26-2024, 09:19 AM If im the NBA, well i'm trying to make a big buzz for my game, this is an easy way to create buzz by ensuring that it only goes to those large markets. People from all over honestly want to go to those places and not any of the smaller markets. Do we want them to come here? Absolutely. We want to show off what we have. But I would put money on that feedback from people with influence (ie money) either as owners/spectators/etc has been that they dont want that particular game to be anywhere other than the largest of cities.
And for only one game that is really just about fun more than anything, is it worth a lot of extra effort to push for it? I'd personally say no. I'd rather have the Softball Tourney stay here...it brings in a LOT more to the actual city than that one game would. That's just an example, but I'm just saying that it's not that big of a deal.
For international, for me there isn't going to be much attraction because the planes themselves are going to be crappy little regional jets going to Mexico or maybe Canada. You're not going to fly from London to OKC. Honestly, where do we think we're going on these flights? I absolutely hate being on little regional jets for flights with OKC. I really wish all the airlines would stop using them and only use the smaller Boeing and Airbus planes. Overhead bins are my #1 annoyance and those regionals dont have room for crap. Then you want to ride one of those for an international flight? YUK!
I dont think we're ready for this in terms of flight volumes, to be honest.
I actually love it if I'm on one of the regional jets that has all the single seat rows on the left (port) side of the plane and I can snag one of those. Might only be the EMB 145 that has that arrangement outside of first class but I enjoy it. I'm also fairly short so that probably helps.
jn1780 02-26-2024, 10:29 AM Am I the only person here who, while I think it would be cool, doesn’t really care at all whether we get an international flight? Not that it’s an either/or situation but if I had to choose, I’d rather we beef up our domestic non-stop options before moving beyond the borders. There seems to be an obsession with getting even a single international vacation option that I don’t really understand. Would it be cool? Sure. But does anyone here go to Cancun multiple times, or even once, a year?
No I agree with this as well. Sure, one less flight to Mexico is nice, but its not like I would be using it every year. Let's be honest, were not really talking about anything beyond Mexico or Canada.
Laramie 02-26-2024, 10:35 AM My understanding was that Gate 32 in the new East Terminal was built with the proper space for holding/customs area needed for international flights?
Correct!
KFOR-TV Channel - 4 https://kfor.com/news/local/will-rogers-world-airport-looks-to-offer-direct-international-flights/
.
And for only one game that is really just about fun more than anything, is it worth a lot of extra effort to push for it? I'd personally say no. I'd rather have the Softball Tourney stay here...it brings in a LOT more to the actual city than that one game would. That's just an example, but I'm just saying that it's not that big of a deal.
NBA all star weekend is much more than just the one game. It's actually much more than all the stuff you see on TV. It's basically a huge international convention that would probably be the biggest single event in the city's history if it were to come here. It would bring in more people and money than the softball tournament by at least a factor of 10.
I'm not trying to say the softball tournament isn't a great event for the city and I want it to stay here, as well. It's just that the two events aren't even comparable in terms of scale and economic impact.
That being said, it certainly may not be worth it to subsidize all it would take for the city to be considered for the game, especially given how far the city is from meeting just the minimum requirements it takes to host such an event, and because even then, it's not a guarantee.
Richard at Remax 02-26-2024, 11:45 AM I actually love it if I'm on one of the regional jets that has all the single seat rows on the left (port) side of the plane and I can snag one of those. Might only be the EMB 145 that has that arrangement outside of first class but I enjoy it. I'm also fairly short so that probably helps.
I really like the E175 and E170. 4A is one of my favorite seats in any plane (not including lie flat seats lol)
gopokes88 02-26-2024, 12:09 PM We'll get an NBA All Star game in the early 2030s for building a new arena with taxpayer $. NFL does the same thing with Super Bowls. They'll have their rotation yes, but it's par for the course new arena = all star game.
Bellaboo 02-26-2024, 12:54 PM We'll get an NBA All Star game in the early 2030s for building a new arena with taxpayer $. NFL does the same thing with Super Bowls. They'll have their rotation yes, but it's par for the course new arena = all star game.
I agree with this. Dallas is so close, plenty of international flights and a short trip to OKC might get a requirement compromise.
jn1780 02-26-2024, 01:04 PM The 30 international flights is not a requirement set in stone. Hosting white water rafting may help.
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/02/23/nba-all-star-game-requirements#:~:text=On%20Wednesday%2C%20The%20Okl ahoman%20published,flights%20and%2020%20internatio nal%20flights.
bison34 02-26-2024, 01:53 PM The 30 international flights is not a requirement set in stone. Hosting white water rafting may help.
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/02/23/nba-all-star-game-requirements#:~:text=On%20Wednesday%2C%20The%20Okl ahoman%20published,flights%20and%2020%20internatio nal%20flights.
Or else Indianapolis, who held it this year, would fall miserably short.
The 30 international flights is not a requirement set in stone. Hosting white water rafting may help.
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/02/23/nba-all-star-game-requirements#:~:text=On%20Wednesday%2C%20The%20Okl ahoman%20published,flights%20and%2020%20internatio nal%20flights.
The hotel room situation is probably the thing that makes OKC a long shot at this point. There's only about 5,000 rooms rooms downtown, a lot of which aren't full service. We would most likely need to see at least 3-4 omni size hotels come online before then, with one of them being a 5 star hotel.
For perspective, the NBA contracted 7,000 rooms at 30 different hotels in Salt Lake City :
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/SBJ-Unpacks/2023/02/14.aspx
Same with Indianapolis:
https://www.ibj.com/articles/hotel-rooms-hard-to-find-expensive-ahead-of-nba-all-star
Even if getting here is a little more inconvenient than cities with multiple international flights, they'll all still need a place to stay.
Or else Indianapolis, who held it this year, would fall miserably short.
Yes, Indianapolis would not have qualified under the new requirements published by the Oklahoman. But it has about 8,000 rooms downtown, half of which are connected their convention center.
bison34 02-26-2024, 02:16 PM Yes, Indianapolis would not have qualified under the new requirements published by the Oklahoman. But it has about 8,000 rooms downtown, half of which are connected their convention center.
Oh no doubt. They are a convention haven. Just means international flights don't matter.
Laramie 02-27-2024, 04:53 PM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAdV-_nH2u4
Story link: https://www.news9.com/story/65d0380891408806568de00a/will-rogers-world-airport-explores-potential-rebrand-city-considers-public-transit-routes-to-airport-#:~:text=OKLAHOMA%20CITY%20%2D-,Will%20Rogers%20World%20Airport%20is%20exploring% 20a%20possible%20change%20to,City%20to%20near%2Dre cord%20numbers.
Bellaboo 02-27-2024, 05:05 PM My wife and I both did that survey waiting on a flight. Lots of general questions and they give you a $15 uber gift card to boot.
scottk 02-27-2024, 06:53 PM In response to the transit options in the News9 story above The light rail from downtown to the airport seems like a no brainer. Essentially build a Monorail (cue Simpson's jokes) that could follow the existing rail alignment along Newscastle road, through Stockyard city and drop off in front of Reno (arena) and Amtrak downtown.
warreng88 02-28-2024, 10:07 AM In response to the transit options in the News9 story above The light rail from downtown to the airport seems like a no brainer. Essentially build a Monorail (cue Simpson's jokes) that could follow the existing rail alignment along Newscastle road, through Stockyard city and drop off in front of Reno (arena) and Amtrak downtown.
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BoulderSooner 02-28-2024, 10:38 AM In response to the transit options in the News9 story above The light rail from downtown to the airport seems like a no brainer. Essentially build a Monorail (cue Simpson's jokes) that could follow the existing rail alignment along Newscastle road, through Stockyard city and drop off in front of Reno (arena) and Amtrak downtown.
Heavy rail is more likely
Jersey Boss 02-28-2024, 05:33 PM https://kfor.com/news/local/could-will-rogers-world-airport-get-a-new-name/
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — There could be some changes coming to Will Rogers World Airport as they look to rebrand this year. In those rebranding discussions, there were talks of a potential name change.
To reflect the Western heritage theme, Roy Rogers International Airport. /s/
Paule4ou 02-29-2024, 05:34 AM Pics of the newly opened Hatch…
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TheTravellers 02-29-2024, 09:08 AM Pics of the newly opened Hatch…
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That is definitely going to be our go-to next time we're there. Hadn't been to Hatch in a while, but went to the Good Earth Rock Gallery in AA (they have incredible butterflies framed that we got a few of, along with some nice jewelry) and decided to eat there since they had put a bunch of new (to us) items on their menu, very good. I was wondering why their mimosas were $11, but they're *huge*, so that was a pleasant surprise.
HOT ROD 03-11-2024, 05:20 PM On the name, my bet is 'Will Rogers - Oklahoma City International Airport' (OKC).
This fits the city/airport's goal of 1) identification and 2) offering, while also retaining it's heritage. Adding Oklahoma City to the official name accomplishes 1, and changing from World to International accomplishes 2. While the official name is rather long, it clearly indicates where the airport is and that it is now (or will become) truly International (and not just in name like Tulsa). Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport comes to mind as a benchmark (not an international airport though). Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a more relevant example, as is Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Didn't even Wichita change adding Eisenhower and dropping Mid-Continent?
My idea also allows locals to still call it 'Will Rogers' airport, which the survey likely indicated most call it. Similarly, most call ATL or Hartsfield airport, and ORD as O'Hare but their official names is much longer and heritage. I'd argue OKC will do the same with 'Will Rogers Oklahoma City International Airport'.
Be glad OKC is not 'Bill and Hillary Clinton Little Rock National Airport' (LIT). Frew... That's long. ...
Zuplar 03-11-2024, 05:40 PM That’s an acceptable compromise imo.
scottk 03-11-2024, 06:16 PM 18703
Since there is a name change on the way, presumably, what is the over/under on when signs like this get updated?
Las Vegas renamed McCarran Airport to Harry Reid Airport in 2021, and there is still plenty of signage in the terminals and around Las Vegas that reflect the McCarran name three years later.
Zuplar 03-11-2024, 06:56 PM 18703
Since there is a name change on the way, presumably, what is the over/under on when signs like this get updated?
Las Vegas renamed McCarran Airport to Harry Reid Airport in 2021, and there is still plenty of signage in the terminals and around Las Vegas that reflect the McCarran name three years later.
They plaster an OKC over world and call it good enough.
HOT ROD 03-11-2024, 08:14 PM haha, yep. I bet the signs take much longer.
Honestly, I'd just be fine with the airport symbol on the main control signage as opposed to a special side sign for the airport. Don't actually need the name of the airport on freeway signage actually unless there's two airports in a city. ..
HOT ROD 03-12-2024, 05:53 PM https://simpleflying.com/oklahoma-city-airport-eyes-international-expansion/
UrbanistPoke 03-12-2024, 06:03 PM https://simpleflying.com/oklahoma-city-airport-eyes-international-expansion/
I know there's a lot of doubters and a lot of sunshine pumpers too - but OKC and Tulsa could both support international travel/routes if they don't fight with each other and cannibalize each other. If you look at the pull in areas from say Wichita, NWA, Southwest Missouri, etc. there's more than enough population to support it and travelers. Problem is most of the surrounding regions are funneling the majority of connecting travelers through Dallas. It's a bummer there's not better regional rail connections to both cities from surrounding MSA's that could funnel more people into the airports too. There's still a lot of leakage of travelers from Tulsa & OKC that will drive to Dallas to get better flight arrangements. I know it probably won't ever happen but if OKC & Tulsa airport authorities could work together to recruit routes to each for specific cities (say OKC gets Cancun, Tulsa gets Cabo, etc.) and maybe figure out a way to subsidize a regional to pick up short connector flights to funnel in passengers from Wichita, NWA, Springfield/Branson, Little Rock, etc. to boost up support for international connections at both that would be a game changer. Scale is important and I don't think either could do it fully alone but together they have a lot more pull.
Just OKC-Tulsa-NWA is about 3.5 million, add in SW Missouri and it's 4.25 million, add in Wichita and other areas that OKC/Tulsa are closer than say KCI or DFW you're over 5 million people and nearly 10 million yearly travelers combined from Tulsa, OKC, NWA, Springfield, Wichita, etc. airports.
Swake 03-12-2024, 07:31 PM Years ago Omni Air, which is based in Tulsa, used to fly several charter flights a week to various Mexican and carribiean tourist sites. The return flight would stop off in Dallas for customs and then fly on to Tulsa. The flights were bundled with hotels for vacation packages and the destinations would change week by week. I'm pretty sure they did the same from OKC.
The demand is there if done correctly.
UrbanistPoke 03-13-2024, 01:06 AM Years ago Omni Air, which is based in Tulsa, used to fly several charter flights a week to various Mexican and carribiean tourist sites. The return flight would stop off in Dallas for customs and then fly on to Tulsa. The flights were bundled with hotels for vacation packages and the destinations would change week by week. I'm pretty sure they did the same from OKC.
The demand is there if done correctly.
I feel like if you were able to pull in some of those regional route and funnel into OKC/Tulsa versus Chicago/DFW you could likely justify maybe a Toronto, London, Mexico City, South America location, etc. type international route too beyond resort routes. Denver and DFW are way over capacity and as this region grows there will be a need for a secondary hub in Mid America somewhere. KCI is positioning itself to be that alternative and their new terminal is phenomenal. Tulsa or OKC both have better winter weather/less delays and better locations to surrounding urban centers than Kansas City to position as a secondary hub/major focus city.
jn1780 03-13-2024, 07:30 AM They plaster an OKC over world and call it good enough.
Or they just leave it as it is.
This sign still existed last time I checked. The Omniplex changed its name in 2007 and the OmniDome has been gone for at least 10 years now. I also don't think the zoo itself mentions BotanicalPark anywhere in its marketing.
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Laramie 03-13-2024, 10:02 AM I feel like if you were able to pull in some of those regional route and funnel into OKC/Tulsa versus Chicago/DFW you could likely justify maybe a Toronto, London, Mexico City, South America location, etc. type international route too beyond resort routes. Denver and DFW are way over capacity and as this region grows there will be a need for a secondary hub in Mid America somewhere. KCI is positioning itself to be that alternative and their new terminal is phenomenal. Tulsa or OKC both have better winter weather/less delays and better locations to surrounding urban centers than Kansas City to position as a secondary hub/major focus city.
^ ^ ^
Good point
This is where OKC WWRA and Tusa International need to work together on coordinating international flights where you have an option besides DFW, Denver International and St. Louis Lambert.
Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Wichita could work toward a triangle of cities where you avoid those drives to Dallas, Denver and St. Louis with flights to Mexico and areas in South America using OKC WRWA and Tulsa International as alternative co-hubs.
The metros of Oklahoma City (1,459,380), Tulsa (1,034,123) and Wichita (650,039 ) represent over 3.1 million people: this is where you could have a shared co-hub type service using Oklahoma's two major airports.
Zuplar 03-13-2024, 10:08 AM Or they just leave it as it is.
This sign still existed last time I checked. The Omniplex changed its name in 2007 and the OmniDome has been gone for at least 10 years now. I also don't think the zoo itself mentions BotanicalPark anywhere in its marketing.
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Probably, I was mostly just making a joke.
jn1780 03-13-2024, 10:36 AM Probably, I was mostly just making a joke.
Your joke wasn't too far from the truth. lol
Laramie 03-13-2024, 11:00 AM ^ ^ ^
Good point
This is where OKC WWRA and Tusa International need to work together on coordinating international flights where you have an option besides DFW, Denver International and St. Louis Lambert.
Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Wichita could work toward a triangle of cities where you avoid those drives to Dallas, Denver and St. Louis with flights to Mexico and areas in South America using OKC WRWA and Tulsa International as alternative co-hubs.
The metros of Oklahoma City (1,459,380), Tulsa (1,034,123) and Wichita (650,039 ) represent over 3.1 million people: this is where you could have a shared co-hub type service using Oklahoma's two major airports.
Driving Distances:
c Oklahoma City to Tulsa 107 miles
b Oklahoma City to Wichita 161 miles
a Tulsa to Wichita 175 miles
Wichita to Kansas City, Mo 194 miles
C- Wichita
https://www.triangle-calculator.com/images/triangle_ABC_angles.gif
A-Oklahoma City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-Tulsa
HOT ROD 03-13-2024, 12:28 PM Years ago Omni Air, which is based in Tulsa, used to fly several charter flights a week to various Mexican and carribiean tourist sites. The return flight would stop off in Dallas for customs and then fly on to Tulsa. The flights were bundled with hotels for vacation packages and the destinations would change week by week. I'm pretty sure they did the same from OKC.
The demand is there if done correctly.
Sun Country Airlines used to do this in OKC. Even had wide body jets like DC-10/MD-11 into OKC.
Bellaboo 03-13-2024, 04:13 PM My guess they are going to drop Will Rogers, the majority of the people living here couldn't tell you anything about him.
So let's guess - 'Oklahoma City International'
warreng88 03-13-2024, 04:21 PM Okc-int
unfundedrick 03-13-2024, 10:24 PM My guess they are going to drop Will Rogers, the majority of the people living here couldn't tell you anything about him.
So let's guess - 'Oklahoma City International'
Do you think it's likely that Dulles (IAD) and Hobby (HOB) will have a name change because few know who they were? Did they have a Tony Award winning Broadway musical named after them? Will Rogers is still a famous name all over the world.
UrbanistPoke 03-14-2024, 10:38 AM Do you think it's likely that Dulles (IAD) and Hobby (HOB) will have a name change because few know who they were? Did they have a Tony Award winning Broadway musical named after them? Will Rogers is still a famous name all over the world.
Just personally I've always thought it odd that an airport in Oklahoma City is named after Will Rogers when he really didn't have a strong connection with OKC. Yes, he's probably top 10 most famous historical Oklahomans but he's really mostly connected with NE Oklahoma - not OKC. I feel like if you want to keep a unique name for the airport name it after someone more closely tied to OKC historically. Jim Thrope would be who I would think is equally or similarly known and was at least born right outside of OKC in Prague and had more ties to Central Oklahoma being Sac and Fox (Central Oklahoma) too while Will Rogers is Cherokee (NE Oklahoma).
Only thing I'd like to see changed at least is the 'World' and at least make it 'International' so that falls in line with major airports. Majority of people are dumb, especially when people outside of Oklahoma think of Oklahoma so I think branding wise that'd be at minimum the best thing. Will Rogers International or Oklahoma City International or Will Rogers Oklahoma City International.
Snowman 03-14-2024, 11:28 AM Just personally I've always thought it odd that an airport in Oklahoma City is named after Will Rogers when he really didn't have a strong connection with OKC. Yes, he's probably top 10 most famous historical Oklahomans but he's really mostly connected with NE Oklahoma - not OKC. I feel like if you want to keep a unique name for the airport name it after someone more closely tied to OKC historically. Jim Thrope would be who I would think is equally or similarly known and was at least born right outside of OKC in Prague and had more ties to Central Oklahoma being Sac and Fox (Central Oklahoma) too while Will Rogers is Cherokee (NE Oklahoma).
Only thing I'd like to see changed at least is the 'World' and at least make it 'International' so that falls in line with major airports. Majority of people are dumb, especially when people outside of Oklahoma think of Oklahoma so I think branding wise that'd be at minimum the best thing. Will Rogers International or Oklahoma City International or Will Rogers Oklahoma City International.
The naming of OKC airports might have had some influence from the earliest phase in aviation's development, airports were more pitching themselves to aviators than the general public, similar to today's general aviation airports, which do not get regular commercial flights. Will Rogers was basically a celebrity advocating for aviation early on, granted even if Rogers or Post was known in the aviation community then, probably is not now.
Modern day there tends to be limited support for name changes from longstanding names to more generic branding, just look at sports stadiums/arenas, there are still plenty of fans that call them the original name decades after it has been one or more others.
Bellaboo 03-14-2024, 07:41 PM Do you think it's likely that Dulles (IAD) and Hobby (HOB) will have a name change because few know who they were? Did they have a Tony Award winning Broadway musical named after them? Will Rogers is still a famous name all over the world.
Only if they are over 50 or 60 they might know something.
gopokes88 05-14-2024, 02:41 PM It appears the airport director has struck again,
"New AAR maintenance hangar at Will Rogers World Airport to create 200 jobs in early 2026"
https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/real-estate/2024/04/20/will-rogers-airport-okc-new-aar-hangar-underway/73331761007/
bison34 05-14-2024, 02:43 PM It appears the airport director has struck again,
"New AAR maintenance hangar at Will Rogers World Airport to create 200 jobs in early 2026"
https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/real-estate/2024/04/20/will-rogers-airport-okc-new-aar-hangar-underway/73331761007/
Awe, using something from weeks ago that has been reported and discussed on here multiple times to try to shade me. Glad I'm living rent free in that chrome dome of yours :)
gopokes88 05-14-2024, 02:45 PM Who are you?
bison34 05-14-2024, 02:55 PM Who are you?
The only reason you and beta keep saying airport director, and clogging up threads. And I'm done discussing it on here.
This story is really old, but is a good thing for OKC!
Mississippi Blues 05-14-2024, 03:38 PM The only reason you and beta keep saying airport director, and clogging up threads. And I'm done discussing it on here.
This story is really old, but is a good thing for OKC!
Maybe if you had spiced up your complaints about the airport director not being good at their job when you were chssooner then others might not be so prone to think of you when certain things happen at the airport, particularly net positive things.
PoliSciGuy 05-14-2024, 04:47 PM The only reason you and beta keep saying airport director, and clogging up threads. And I'm done discussing it on here.
This story is really old, but is a good thing for OKC!
This is an inside joke from well before you joined in January. Maybe sit this one out.
PhiAlpha 05-14-2024, 05:27 PM This is an inside joke from well before you joined in January. Maybe sit this one out.
Not so fast my friend! We've been fooled!
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PhiAlpha 05-14-2024, 05:32 PM The only reason you and beta keep saying airport director, and clogging up threads. And I'm done discussing it on here.
This story is really old, but is a good thing for OKC!
I actually appreciate the creativity here LOL.
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