Our southwest flight from Houston landed about 30 minutes before the Denver and SLC flights got turned around. Took two attempts and you couldn’t see any lights on the ground until we were what looked like about 30-50 feet above the runway (possibly lower). I’ve flown a ton and never have landed in fog like that. Touched down so hard that several people woke up screaming LOL. Solid job by the pilots to get it on the ground.

That might be because Southwest is much more willing to land with a tailwind if it means they can park faster. :D

def sounds like KOKC is in need of an upgrade, perhaps Legends Tower can be the catalyst to make that happen.

that might be because southwest is much more willing to land with a tailwind if it means they can park faster. :d

lol

Oklahoma City airport close to milestone for new nonstop flights

https://www.news9.com/story/67a8345e62646f34c134d4ff/oklahoma-city-airport-close-to-milestone-for-new-nonstop-flights?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR30Tdeix7n0GjX4h e2d66jjkxmagVmZP5fksScs6iPc3rZw1SmEXuvQTZw_aem_ZqI l62kRQjm02DwpNQxspQ

Oklahoma City airport close to milestone for new nonstop flights

https://www.news9.com/story/67a8345e62646f34c134d4ff/oklahoma-city-airport-close-to-milestone-for-new-nonstop-flights?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR30Tdeix7n0GjX4h e2d66jjkxmagVmZP5fksScs6iPc3rZw1SmEXuvQTZw_aem_ZqI l62kRQjm02DwpNQxspQ

With a hiring freeze and Elon gutting the federal government will the new facility be able to be staffed?

Frontier Airlines offers nonstop flights to Orlando beginning March 7
02/11/2025

Frontier Airlines is ramping up for the spring break travel season with nonstop service from OKC Will Rogers International Airport to Orlando (MCO) beginning March 7. Flights will operate twice daily.

“This is great news for Oklahoma City,” Director of Airports Jeff Mulder said. “Orlando is a much sought-after destination. This will greatly enhance the air service options for our leisure and business travelers. We appreciate Frontier’s commitment to our community.”

Frontier also offers a nonstop one-way special for only $19 from OKC to Denver, departing March 19, and to Vegas, departing April 16.

Flights are on sale now at flyfrontier.com.

With a hiring freeze and Elon gutting the federal government will the new facility be able to be staffed?

I know that the FAA was exempted from the hiring freeze. Given the heavy emphasis on border security, It seems highly doubtful that there would’ve been any kind of hiring freeze on Customs and Border Patrol.

Edit: Yes they are most likely exempt: “signed an executive order instituting the freeze (https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/01/trump-again-freeze-federal-hiring/402335/) on Monday shortly after his inauguration, but allowed for exceptions for positions related to immigration enforcement, national security or public safety.”

“The language of Trump’s order suggests Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, either in whole or in part, would be exempt in order to carry out Trump’s immigration and border security crackdown. ”

https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/01/broad-exemptions-trumps-federal-hiring-freeze-begin-take-shape/402421/

I know that the FAA was exempted from the hiring freeze. Given the heavy emphasis on border security, It seems highly doubtful that there would’ve been any kind of hiring freeze on Customs and Border Patrol.

Edit: Yes they are most likely exempt: “signed an executive order instituting the freeze (https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/01/trump-again-freeze-federal-hiring/402335/) on Monday shortly after his inauguration, but allowed for exceptions for positions related to immigration enforcement, national security or public safety.”

“The language of Trump’s order suggests Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, either in whole or in part, would be exempt in order to carry out Trump’s immigration and border security crackdown. ”

https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/01/broad-exemptions-trumps-federal-hiring-freeze-begin-take-shape/402421/

That's interesting that the FAA was exempt, I had applied for a job out at the Monroney Center, and after the inauguration I got an email that said the job I was applying for had been removed from the system. I thought this was odd given the job, so I reached out and was told by someone out at the Monroney center that the hiring freeze was the reason why the job was removed, it had not been filled, and they recommended I keep an eye out for it in the future and apply at that time.

That's interesting that the FAA was exempt, I had applied for a job out at the Monroney Center, and after the inauguration I got an email that said the job I was applying for had been removed from the system. I thought this was odd given the job, so I reached out and was told by someone out at the Monroney center that the hiring freeze was the reason why the job was removed, it had not been filled, and they recommended I keep an eye out for it in the future and apply at that time.
The freeze is in place for FAA with certain positions exempt. Even the voluntary retirement option is not for every FAA position. Many jobs offers, like yours, were rescinded after Jan 20th. A lot of phone calls were made on the 17th.

Frontier Airlines offers nonstop flights to Orlando beginning March 7
02/11/2025

Frontier Airlines is ramping up for the spring break travel season with nonstop service from OKC Will Rogers International Airport to Orlando (MCO) beginning March 7. Flights will operate twice daily.


Unless they are still adding flights to their system this isn't true. I'm seeing nonstop flights every few days and only once a day (unless they are counting a return flight as one of the two).

Numbers: 2024 Passenger Volume

OKC 4.6M

DEN 82.3M

DFW 87.8M
DAL 16.3M
Total 104.2M (for Metroplex)

Numbers: 2024 Passenger Volume

OKC 4.6M

DEN 82.3M

DFW 87.8M
DAL 16.3M
Total 104.2M (for Metroplex)

staggering figures, BUT one should look for context.

DFW, DAL, and DEN are each connecting hubs for some of the largest airlines; main AA hub for DFW, main or second Southwest hub for DAL, and second United, main Frontier hubs for DEN. This provides context into their numbers, lots of connections - which are also counted. So you'll have a pax on ICT-DEN-LAX be counted as arriving DEN and departing DEN on that single journey. OKC has little to none of this connecting pax, most OKC traffic (and ICT) is origin/destination.

The BEST way to get OKC's numbers up are to get connections. International flights help with this greatly but if OKC could score a hub, mini-hub, or focus-city arrangement - OKC's annual pax would jump to at least 6M+ just like that. I think it's important to have context in these situations, they aren't apples to apples; even among hubs where you have fortress hubs (ATL, SFO, DFW, IAD), mega hubs (ORD, LAX), gateway hubs (JFK), and so on that they are oranges to tangerines by comparison (similar, but different depending on the setup).

An apples to apples comparison is OKC vs ICT, OKC vs OMA, OKC vs TUL. OKC does very well with those, OMA can be seen to have significantly more O/D traffic than OKC, however, but OKC is closing in.

The BEST way to get OKC's numbers up are to get connections. International flights help with this greatly but if OKC could score a hub, mini-hub, or focus-city arrangement - OKC's annual pax would jump to at least 6M+ just like that. I think it's important to have context in these situations, they aren't apples to apples; even among hubs where you have fortress hubs (ATL, SFO, DFW, IAD), mega hubs (ORD, LAX), gateway hubs (JFK), and so on that they are oranges to tangerines by comparison (similar, but different depending on the setup).

Why not consider low-volume ultra-regional to EAS-eligible locations? I could see B200, C208, C402, or P2012 running LBL-OKC. Sure, only nine seats, but it would connect the panhandle to the capital city and be subsidized. Maybe a more touristy destination like HOT or HRO? (Just spitballing ideas without much thought. Sort of based it on what we see in New England and Montana with Cape Air, and tried to keep it in that sweet spot of an equivalent drive between 2 and 8 hours.)

Why not consider low-volume ultra-regional to EAS-eligible locations? I could see B200, C208, C402, or P2012 running LBL-OKC. Sure, only nine seats, but it would connect the panhandle to the capital city and be subsidized. Maybe a more touristy destination like HOT or HRO? (Just spitballing ideas without much thought. Sort of based it on what we see in New England and Montana with Cape Air, and tried to keep it in that sweet spot of an equivalent drive between 2 and 8 hours.)

I like this idea though I feel like any EAS airports would funnel to larger hubs like Kansas’s do.

This doesn't really have any thing to do with the airport itself, but the road going in and out. We got out of the house last night, drove down the airport via meridian and noticed south of Amelia earhart (at the light where the NB and SB split) was pretty much a solid sheet of ice. I would assume the area is a responsibility of the Airport Trust and not the city, although I have nothing to confirm that. For comparison, the streets north of Amelia Earhart were completely clear. I know there are a lot of airport people on here so maybe they can weigh in.

This doesn't really have any thing to do with the airport itself, but the road going in and out. We got out of the house last night, drove down the airport via meridian and noticed south of Amelia earhart (at the light where the NB and SB split) was pretty much a solid sheet of ice. I would assume the area is a responsibility of the Airport Trust and not the city, although I have nothing to confirm that. For comparison, the streets north of Amelia Earhart were completely clear. I know there are a lot of airport people on here so maybe they can weigh in.

The only flight I've ever missed was because of this, was a 6:30am flight and everything was plowed and salted but the road to the airport and cars were abandoned all over the road. This was a few years ago though, I just figured I was unlucky and they hadn't gotten to it yet but you may be right that it's not the city's responsibility.

This doesn't really have any thing to do with the airport itself, but the road going in and out. We got out of the house last night, drove down the airport via meridian and noticed south of Amelia earhart (at the light where the NB and SB split) was pretty much a solid sheet of ice. I would assume the area is a responsibility of the Airport Trust and not the city, although I have nothing to confirm that. For comparison, the streets north of Amelia Earhart were completely clear. I know there are a lot of airport people on here so maybe they can weigh in.

Correct assumption on the split line... https://www.okc.gov/residents/prepare-okc/know-what-to-do/winter-weather

That said, the Airput is a City function, so you'd think they could share resources a bit. The problem is that the roadway into the arrivals/departure areas can't handle a traditional snowplow truck (past a certain point), so they're likely stuck using pickup trucks, which don't work well on long stretches of roadway...

This doesn't really have any thing to do with the airport itself, but the road going in and out. We got out of the house last night, drove down the airport via meridian and noticed south of Amelia earhart (at the light where the NB and SB split) was pretty much a solid sheet of ice. I would assume the area is a responsibility of the Airport Trust and not the city, although I have nothing to confirm that. For comparison, the streets north of Amelia Earhart were completely clear. I know there are a lot of airport people on here so maybe they can weigh in.
I had to go to the airport this morning and the southbound portion (approach to airport) was mostly fine, but the lanes heading north departing the airport were straight-up white knuckle material. As in curb-to-curb polished skating rink ice, no evidence of treatment, salt, plowing whatsoever. Not even tire ruts. Everyone (myself included) was driving 10 mph at best, and trying to stay as far away from other vehicles as possible. Worst ice driving experience I’ve had in a VERY long time. As soon as I was north of Amelia Earhart it was all clear, just like most of the rest of the city.

Thursday the FAA center was back open and same, going into the center from either gate was totally iced over. Roads on center and parking lots were not much better. Was told they used multiple pallets of ice melt but we only saw it on sidewalk and building entry areas. Even though it's Airport Trust the FAA has the snow and ice removal responsibility

And coincidentally, Bill Robertson retired last year, and I think he was responsible for part of the clearing/removal there, lol... Not sure if he did inside the fences or had stuff outside, though.

Why not consider low-volume ultra-regional to EAS-eligible locations? I could see B200, C208, C402, or P2012 running LBL-OKC. Sure, only nine seats, but it would connect the panhandle to the capital city and be subsidized. Maybe a more touristy destination like HOT or HRO? (Just spitballing ideas without much thought. Sort of based it on what we see in New England and Montana with Cape Air, and tried to keep it in that sweet spot of an equivalent drive between 2 and 8 hours.)

The EAS program is currently under review by DOGE. Stay tuned.

From the AZ Republic 11/24: "Air travel could become a lot more expensive and inconvenient for rural communities in Arizona should Donald Trump be elected president in November."

Buried deep in Project 2025, the 900-page far-right plan for a second Trump term, is a call for ending the Essential Air Service (EAS), a federal program that ensures rural Americans have access to air travel by subsidizing the cost of service in smaller towns and communities that would otherwise go without air service. Trump also repeatedly tried to make cuts to the program during his first term and even called for its elimination, even as it would have harmed communities that disproportionately support him. Republicans in Congress have also previously tried to ending funding for the Essential Air Service, so should they retain their majority in the House, they could help Trump enact cuts to the program."

The EAS program is currently under review by DOGE. Stay tuned.

From the AZ Republic 11/24: "Air travel could become a lot more expensive and inconvenient for rural communities in Arizona should Donald Trump be elected president in November."

Buried deep in Project 2025, the 900-page far-right plan for a second Trump term, is a call for ending the Essential Air Service (EAS), a federal program that ensures rural Americans have access to air travel by subsidizing the cost of service in smaller towns and communities that would otherwise go without air service. Trump also repeatedly tried to make cuts to the program during his first term and even called for its elimination, even as it would have harmed communities that disproportionately support him. Republicans in Congress have also previously tried to ending funding for the Essential Air Service, so should they retain their majority in the House, they could help Trump enact cuts to the program."


Has been announced by the president or anyone other than the site for the group that came up with Project 2025?

Where Air Canada could deploy those planes in the U.S. is the question. Asked what type of destinations the airline is looking at, Lefèvre said, "Our big focus, and our big success over the past few years, have been in those unaligned markets where we've got a right to win."

"Look at Hartford for example," he continued. "Hartford is a market market where you can make a difference but not as much as if you want to serve Oklahoma City, for example. If you look at Oklahoma City and you look at the routing to go from [there] to Europe ... and we're exactly on the right path. Those are the markets we're looking at."

Air Canada has no immediate plans to serve Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport (OKC), Lefèvre added."

https://thepointsguy.com/news/air-canada-to-add-up-to-15-new-us-destinations-by-2028/?utm_content=1739568302&utm_medium=tpg-o-social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1TwamvmKpJAsjlrp_RTkILA ajrooSDfP5QFuaYY1NoEEBTz8FemHOzH_w_aem_vO_AiJ97H4U 8EUdFgZ5SXg

Where Air Canada could deploy those planes in the U.S. is the question. Asked what type of destinations the airline is looking at, Lefèvre said, "Our big focus, and our big success over the past few years, have been in those unaligned markets where we've got a right to win."

"Look at Hartford for example," he continued. "Hartford is a market market where you can make a difference but not as much as if you want to serve Oklahoma City, for example. If you look at Oklahoma City and you look at the routing to go from [there] to Europe ... and we're exactly on the right path. Those are the markets we're looking at."

Air Canada has no immediate plans to serve Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport (OKC), Lefèvre added."

https://thepointsguy.com/news/air-canada-to-add-up-to-15-new-us-destinations-by-2028/?utm_content=1739568302&utm_medium=tpg-o-social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1TwamvmKpJAsjlrp_RTkILA ajrooSDfP5QFuaYY1NoEEBTz8FemHOzH_w_aem_vO_AiJ97H4U 8EUdFgZ5SXg

I’ve long wondered if there could be a market for NE/Europe connections through Air Canada. 1x/daily on an E175 or RJ900, arriving in YYZ in the evening and timed for Europe connections. No need for immigration since that they have pre-clearance.

I’ve long wondered if there could be a market for NE/Europe connections through Air Canada. 1x/daily on an E175 or RJ900, arriving in YYZ in the evening and timed for Europe connections. No need for immigration since that they have pre-clearance.

What do you mean by "NE"? Like the northeast US? AC wouldn't be able to sell a connection from OKC to another Murrcan city connecting in YYZ, that is illegal and would be cabotage.

Definitely OKC-YYZ-Europe/India would be an intriguing option if AC ever took the plunge.

I'm not sure what your last bit about pre-clearance means? Preclearance is when you go through US customs/immigration in Canada prior to boarding your flight to the US, so you do go through US immigration, you just do it in the country of departure.

What do you mean by "NE"? Like the northeast US? AC wouldn't be able to sell a connection from OKC to another Murrcan city connecting in YYZ, that is illegal and would be cabotage.

Definitely OKC-YYZ-Europe/India would be an intriguing option if AC ever took the plunge.

I'm not sure what your last bit about pre-clearance means? Preclearance is when you go through US customs/immigration in Canada prior to boarding your flight to the US, so you do go through US immigration, you just do it in the country of departure.

Meaning if you are connecting in Toronto you don’t have to go through customs. You’re correct though you wouldn’t be able to fly to Boston through Toronto but could fly to other Canadian cities in the NE and especially Europe. There is also likely some O&D. Not sure enough with connecting flights to fill a daily RJ.

wouldn't really "need" preclearance on the return in YYZ to OKC since OKC has it's own Federal Inspection Service/Customs now. I do think they'd still have to do customs in YYZ for the outbound connection to Europe though, regardless what OKC has. Would be interesting to see the setup.

But this is a great article that does indeed show the OKC airport is going after more than 'just' Mexican tourist destinations. It'd be awesome if OKC could get a daily AC regional jet to start! I think even the current YYZ-OKC traffic might be enough to at least half-way support a daily RJ. Add in YVR (Vancouver) after Toronto-OKC is established and that's icing on the Canadian cake (connections to both Europe{YYZ} and Asia{YVR}). I'd also think a OKC-YYC (Calgary) on WestJet could work for 2X weekly.

We could sort of become the next Austin in many ways if we can pull this off.

wouldn't really "need" preclearance on the return in YYZ to OKC since OKC has it's own Federal Inspection Service/Customs now. I do think they'd still have to do customs in YYZ for the outbound connection to Europe though, regardless what OKC has. Would be interesting to see the setup.

But this is a great article that does indeed show the OKC airport is going after more than 'just' Mexican tourist destinations. It'd be awesome if OKC could get a daily AC regional jet to start! I think even the current YYZ-OKC traffic might be enough to at least half-way support a daily RJ. Add in YVR (Vancouver) after Toronto-OKC is established and that's icing on the Canadian cake (connections to both Europe{YYZ} and Asia{YVR}). I'd also think a OKC-YYC (Calgary) on WestJet could work for 2X weekly.

We could sort of become the next Austin in many ways if we can pull this off.

Getting unsustainable routes helps no one, and likely would lead to more airlines not coming here. Go after routes you know will work, show airlines these routes can work, and more will come in time.

We just need more realistic routes (BOS, SFO, EWR, Cancun (most likely)) before going after, right now, pie in the sky routes.

We have two major airports in Oklahoma; Will Rogers International & Tulsa International: both airports could alternate flights to Mexico; avoiding having to use DFW--a 204 mile stretch. This would allow for a 91 mile turnpike drive between our two major cities.

We have two major airports in Oklahoma; Will Rogers International & Tulsa International: both airports could alternate flights to Mexico; avoiding having to use DFW--a 204 mile stretch. This would allow for a 91 mile turnpike drive between our two major cities.

To be fair, Tulsa is why OKC doesn't have a great route tree. Very few states Oklahoma's size have 2 cities this close with 2 airports of marginally-similar size. They cannibalize each other.

To be fair, Tulsa is why OKC doesn't have a great route tree. Very few states Oklahoma's size have 2 cities this close with 2 airports of marginally-similar size. They cannibalize each other.

Closest comparison I can think of is Austin and San Antonio. Their airports are about 75 miles a part, BUT both do have larger populations and a different business sector that merits non-stop destinations.
Maybe Des Moines and Omaha too hurt each other for routes?

I think DFW with its American Airlines hub and its proximity to OKC hurts us more than TUL International. I would compare this to Colorado Springs Airport in close proximity to United's Hub at Denver.

OKC better not waste any time when it comes to the (assuming) flight to Mexico. They will have a pretty decent draw area from OKC, Tulsa, Wichita south, and east/western OK. It will be critical to provide some kind of initial incentives to make the price worthwhile for people to drive here. I can see a seasonal 2x weekly flight being very successful.

Closest comparison I can think of is Austin and San Antonio. Their airports are about 75 miles a part, BUT both do have larger populations and a different business sector that merits non-stop destinations.
Maybe Des Moines and Omaha too hurt each other for routes?

I think DFW with its American Airlines hub and its proximity to OKC hurts us more than TUL International. I would compare this to Colorado Springs Airport in close proximity to United's Hub at Denver.

And they're tiny airports compared to DFW and IAH. AA tried to even make Austin a focus city and had to scrap those plans.
Exact same thing as OKC-TUL just bigger.

Closest comparison I can think of is Austin and San Antonio. Their airports are about 75 miles a part, BUT both do have larger populations and a different business sector that merits non-stop destinations.
Maybe Des Moines and Omaha too hurt each other for routes?

I think DFW with its American Airlines hub and its proximity to OKC hurts us more than TUL International. I would compare this to Colorado Springs Airport in close proximity to United's Hub at Denver.

Plus Lawton and Stillwater which both have daily flights to Dallas.

OKC just needs to continue to grow and the rest will take care of itself.

I may have missed mention of it but it appears the Dallas north suburb of McKinney is on it's way to the start of commercial airline services. A proposal for a 3 gate terminal with future expansion to 5 gates is being brought forward. <Dallas Business Journal>

Everything I've heard is Delta connecting to hubs (Atlanta, Salt Lake, MSP) and a low cost carrier like frontier/spirit/etc

We have two major airports in Oklahoma; Will Rogers International & Tulsa International: both airports could alternate flights to Mexico; avoiding having to use DFW--a 204 mile stretch. This would allow for a 91 mile turnpike drive between our two major cities.

Larry um, no. Tulsa surely would NOT agree to this so why should OKC even propose it, when we're the bigger airport/market/city/metro? Doing this strategy further implies that OKC would not be ready for 2nd tier status/amenities - if we 'had' to always depend upon or share with our little sister to make anything work. ... Further, this was tried with Great Plains Airlines (based out of Tulsa) - IMO, it didn't work because there was no clear main hub (Tulsa wanted East routes, game 'some' western to OKC). It would have worked imo if GP chose OKC for all hub operations, capitalizing on its larger market/city, with Tulsa focusing on point-to-point where demand existed. The 'shared hub' theory failed and hsould be a lesson along with no other state/city pair does thos (no SEA-SPO sharing, no SF-LA sharing, no DFW-HOU sharing, no DEN-CLS sharing etc).

OKC needs to stand on its own in order to succeed, Tulsa is catchment if they want to be.

We just lost 300 jobs at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center: https://kfor.com/news/local/oklahoma-city-faa-workers-axed-in-federal-layoffs-feel-betrayed-concerned-by-rhetoric/

This will devastate our population growth . . .

OKC better not waste any time when it comes to the (assuming) flight to Mexico. They will have a pretty decent draw area from OKC, Tulsa, Wichita south, and east/western OK. It will be critical to provide some kind of initial incentives to make the price worthwhile for people to drive here. I can see a seasonal 2x weekly flight being very successful.

@Bison - totally agree that we should start with what we know will work, by focusing on re-establishing the US hub network and point-to-point cities we previously had, and going after gateway cities. However, I am happy to see AC is interested in OKC to champion their possible expansion which would allow direct gateway to the world (since YYZ has worldwide access) in addition to being 'another' possible international nonstop for OKC.

@Richard. .. Totally agree on this. OKC needs to act fast to be first-to-market with this product. This will help 'establish' the market, particularly catchment as you mention; since OKC already has a very large hispanic community and a vacation market that will sustain at least 2X weekly flights to start. Incentivize it to make prices low (particularly for vacation destinations) and OKC would pull in catchment as well to further build the market.

What I would love to see is not only the probable international buildout in OKC, but also if we could re-establish flight(s) from Tulsa and perhaps other catchment in the region to feed the international (thather than relying only on them driving). Just imagine even if we had a CR2 regional jet daily OKC-TUL, THAT is what I truly want to see; a reconnection of the regional cities into OKC while providing enhanced options for the region with OKC as the focal point.

We just lost 300 jobs at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center: https://kfor.com/news/local/oklahoma-city-faa-workers-axed-in-federal-layoffs-feel-betrayed-concerned-by-rhetoric/

This will devastate our population growth . . .

They will hire more Larry. Trump is gung ho on rebuilding the FAA, some of those jobs are probably unnecessary or close-to-retirement. 300 jobs should not sink a city the size and diverse as OKC, although I do feel for those caught off-guard.

The notice (from KFOR) did said "termination during probationary period", indicating the possibility of re-hire (although 'furlough' or 'lay-off' instead of 'termination' would have been better terminology).

We just lost 300 jobs at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center: https://kfor.com/news/local/oklahoma-city-faa-workers-axed-in-federal-layoffs-feel-betrayed-concerned-by-rhetoric/

This will devastate our population growth . . .

Devastate is a very strong word. Most will end up rehired, after they realize they made mistakes laying people off. Or find jobs at Tinker.

Devastate is a very strong word. Most will end up rehired, after they realize they made mistakes laying people off. Or find jobs at Tinker.

Tinker is about to be hit with deep layoffs as well.

Devastate is a very strong word. Most will end up rehired, after they realize they made mistakes laying people off. Or find jobs at Tinker.

Thanks Swake about the potential cuts to Tinker AFB.

Damn right it is. Many of these workers will be rehired; but where, if they take jobs in OKC then this will affect the potential out-of-state hires OKC could get from places
like Texas, California, Kansas and Arkansas. Or they will find jobs in our most aggressive state like Texas to move south of the Red River.

Texas continues to raid Oklahoma of our talent pool.

I will continue to say, get rid of this cocky attitude about Oklahoma's two airports working together on flights to Mexico where we could under cut DFW's strangle hold with the Mega DFW airport and Love Field's dominance over Oklahoma's two largest airports.

Tulsa IMO is ahead of OKC for flights to Mexico. It would be more substantiable if the two airports worked in tandem--which could peak interests in more international flights.

OKC's population growth will take a hit. You don't immediately recover from the lost of 300 good paying jobs.

We just lost 300 jobs at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center: https://kfor.com/news/local/oklahoma-city-faa-workers-axed-in-federal-layoffs-feel-betrayed-concerned-by-rhetoric/

This will devastate our population growth . . .

Clarification: This is not 300 employees at Monroney. It is 300 TOTAL FAA employees. From the KFOR story: "Many of those affected work in Oklahoma City at the FAA’s Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, a hub for the agency’s training operations." The local number I've heard is around 100, and according to a recently-retired local FAA friend whose text messages have been blowing up, the group affected maintains ground-based navigational systems such as VORs, ILS approach systems, etc. Those systems must be maintained, and the training/skills are unique, so you can't take someone from the records division and have them inspect a remote NDB, nor can you just hire someone off the street. This could be a BDD, affecting primary & backup navigation systems, because not everything runs off of GPS - not by a long shot!

I will continue to say, get rid of this cocky attitude about Oklahoma's two airports working together on flights to Mexico where we could under cut DFW's strangle hold with the Mega DFW airport and Love Field's dominance over Oklahoma's two largest airports.

Tulsa IMO is ahead of OKC for flights to Mexico. It would be more substantiable if the two airports worked in tandem--which could peak interests in more international flights.

OKC's population growth will take a hit. You don't immediately recover from the lost of 300 good paying jobs.

What on earth are you blabbering about? Tulsa is 2 years behind OKC for flights. Their economy is years behind OKC, as is their population.

You're very doom and gloom on this, for no reason, and with less than zero basis. Lol. Your post is asinine.

If they were to build an airport between Oklahoma City and Tulsa(Great Plains International) they should connect it with high speed rail on each end.

If they were to build an airport between Oklahoma City and Tulsa(Great Plains International) they should connect it with high speed rail on each end.

Thank you Plutonic Panda.

High speed rail to Tonkawa, Oklahoma then you can serve the golden triangle of cities - Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Wichita. :cool:

What on earth are you blabbering about? Tulsa is 2 years behind OKC for flights. Their economy is years behind OKC, as is their population.

You're very doom and gloom on this, for no reason, and with less than zero basis. Lol. Your post is asinine.

Bison, there are plenty of places you can graze in Oklahoma. :wink: Now let's come up with some suggestions to neutralize the affects of DFW and find some grazing spots for a super airport in Oklahoma.

BTW my brother and I just decided not plan anymore diving trips to Mexico and South America.

Bison, there are plenty of places you can graze in Oklahoma. :wink: Now let's come up with some suggestions to neutralize the affects of DFW and find some grazing spots for a super airport in Oklahoma.

BTW my brother and I just decided not plan anymore diving trips to Mexico and South America.

It's more that you actively think Tulsa is ahead of OKC for international flights, when they don't even have bids for a customs and CIS facility, when OKCs will be finished by June.

Also, 300 lost jobs is nothing. That can be absorbed by OKC easily.

There will never be a way to neutralize the effects of DFW. American keeps prices low there deliberately, for this exact reason, to undercut surrounding areas.

when they don't even have bids for a customs and CIS facility, when OKCs will be finished by June.

The FIS facility at TUL is currently under construction and will be operational in summer 2026.

The FIS facility at TUL is currently under construction and will be operational in summer 2026.

Ground was broken in January '24 and construction is due to complete in November of this year for the $41 million project. Ready for flights by spring of '26

https://flytulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/airport-render-1.jpg

Timeline and project info:
https://flytulsa.com/business/fis-customs-facility/

Also, with our exploding Hispanic population, don't be shocked if a lot of these flights are not to tourist destinations but are instead intended to serve people visiting family in Mexico and not the beach.

OKC Metro is 16% Hispanic with 75% of them being of Mexican decent. That's a population of 175,000 people with potential family to visit.

Also, with our exploding Hispanic population, don't be shocked if a lot of these flights are not to tourist destinations but are instead intended to serve people visiting family in Mexico and not the beach.

OKC Metro is 16% Hispanic with 75% of them being of Mexican decent. That's a population of 175,000 people with potential family to visit.

most likely the flights are going to be to cancun and cabo .. so????

I wouldn't be surprised with a 1x week to Mexico City on top of the tourist spots down the road

Also, with our exploding Hispanic population, don't be shocked if a lot of these flights are not to tourist destinations but are instead intended to serve people visiting family in Mexico and not the beach.

OKC Metro is 16% Hispanic with 75% of them being of Mexican decent. That's a population of 175,000 people with potential family to visit.

Thanks for the update, Swank.

most likely the flights are going to be to cancun and cabo .. so????

I think all of us will get daily Mexico City and Acapulco flights but they’ll have weekly Oaxaca and Los Mochis flights just for you.

I wouldn't be surprised with a 1x week to Mexico City on top of the tourist spots down the road

I was just there in November. Incredible city that more Americans are starting to visit so I could see that happening at some point. The airport there is a mess though.

I was just there in November. Incredible city that more Americans are starting to visit so I could see that happening at some point. The airport there is a mess though.


I agree about the Mexico City airport. The only time I was there was to change planes when going to Acapulco and I was definitely not impressed.