More second tier cities are seeing trans-Atlantic service planned:
- Delta announced it will start Indianapolis-Paris CDG
- WOW Air announced it will start St Louis-Reykjavik
- British Airways announced it will start Nashville-London

Where OKC and TUL stand in the Top 25 airports currently unserved from Europe. Always impressed and surprised by how Omaha punches above its weight..
http://www.anna.aero/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Top-25-unserved-US-markets.jpg

More second tier cities are seeing trans-Atlantic service planned:
- Delta announced it will start Indianapolis-Paris CDG
- WOW Air announced it will start St Louis-Reykjavik
- British Airways announced it will start Nashville-London

Where OKC and TUL stand in the Top 25 airports currently unserved from Europe. Always impressed and surprised by how Omaha punches above its weight..


Quite a few large companies with international presence have HQs in Omaha, so that helps them. Most of the Metro areas of the top few underserved are huge, it's interesting they aren't served, but Providence, RI, gets service. Finally, I bet HNL gets service soon, now that 787s and A350s can actually make that distance.

OKC-SAN is loaded on frontier. Starts in April.

Quite a few large companies with international presence have HQs in Omaha, so that helps them. Most of the Metro areas of the top few underserved are huge, it's interesting they aren't served, but Providence, RI, gets service. Finally, I bet HNL gets service soon, now that 787s and A350s can actually make that distance.

I would think Kansas City and Columbus are likely next in line for service, maybe not British Airways but possibly WOW Air or Norwegian. Jacksonville and Memphis are fairly low-yielding markets though Jacksonville with its beaches and golf resorts could be a target for Norwegian as a holiday destination for Brit's. When Northwest had its Memphis hub they had daily nonstop service to Amsterdam, I knew some people that flew on it as a one stop from Tulsa in early 2000's: TUL-MEM-AMS. Now that Delta has de-hubbed MEM I don't see trans-Atlantic service returning, again maybe Norwegian at some point. San Antonio is too close to Austin which now has three European routes to LHR, LGW and FRA.

Besides maybe Honolulu (that would be a ridiculously long flight) I don't see any of the others picking up service anytime soon.

Norfolk is the biggest surprise for me as far as where it falls on the list. What drives that? Military?

Norfolk is the biggest surprise for me as far as where it falls on the list. What drives that? Military?

Probably military and at kind of related naval contractors or sales teams are at least a notable percentage.

Plus from their location on the east coast, England and France are getting to be somewhat similar total travel time between getting early enough to catch the plane, the layover and a connecting flights than to LA or Seattle if going on vacation.

Josh - can you please offer some insight as to why the airport’s garages, even the newer one, are so poorly designed? The layout is complete crap and they’re poorly done.

Well this is weird. I went to book a non-stop flight to Salt Lake City on the 1st Saturday on 2018 and saw that DL is not offering any non-stop flights from OKC-SLC that day. They have 2 flights on the day before but none on Saturday.

Norfolk is the biggest surprise for me as far as where it falls on the list. What drives that? Military?

Norfolk's metro is 1.8 million, almost the same size as Kansas City. Much larger than people think.

Well this is weird. I went to book a non-stop flight to Salt Lake City on the 1st Saturday on 2018 and saw that DL is not offering any non-stop flights from OKC-SLC that day. They have 2 flights on the day before but none on Saturday.

Indeed strange, but the airlines, especially Delta, have been trimming excess capacity during the slow months. Occasionally we have days without LAX or SFO also. Delta is about 25% larger in the summer than it is the winter.

Norfolk's metro is 1.8 million, almost the same size as Kansas City. Much larger than people think.

Wow, did not think that. If someone asked me which was larger Richmond or Norfolk, I'd say Richmond. Comparing KC I would have thought there was about a 1 million more in KC! Interesting. I guess that Hampton Roads area is more dense than I thought.

Wow, did not think that. If someone asked me which was larger Richmond or Norfolk, I'd say Richmond. Comparing KC I would have thought there was about a 1 million more in KC! Interesting. I guess that Hampton Roads area is more dense than I thought.

Richmond is larger than Norfolk. But not larger than Norfolk, Newport News and Virginia Beach which are all one urban area.

I was going to say this, Norfolk's metro includes several other large cities - including Virginia's largest in Virginia Beach (but the metro is still called Norfolk); roughly 300k larger than OKC metro.

UA OKC-EWR is dropped from jan to may.

UA OKC-EWR is dropped from jan to may.

OKC needs a flight into JFK or LGA.

OKC needs a flight into JFK or LGA.

LGA was our best shot several years ago when AA and DL were giving NY some attention. Think the window has passed, for now.

Fairly trivial information, but FedEx is now running a Sunday BOI-OKC-MEM. It's a BOI-MEM flight the rest of the week, but likely to pick up extra weekend parcels leaving OKC on the way to MEM for Monday delivery.

Wow. UA not serving EWR Jan-May? It used to be Feb,Mar and April. Now 2 additional months. I wonder if UA is trying to beef up IAD more . Any other cities seeing a reduction out of EWR early next year?

Wow. UA not serving EWR Jan-May? It used to be Feb,Mar and April. Now 2 additional months. I wonder if UA is trying to beef up IAD more . Any other cities seeing a reduction out of EWR early next year?

Sorry had dates wrong slightly. Suspended Jan 8-Apr22

You would think OKC-NYC would be a bigger market. At least the EWR flight is still seasonal, TUL was dropped completely. Yet both American and Delta have daily non-stops to LGA from XNA (I know Wal-Mart drives that but still..)

fairly trivial information, but fedex is now running a sunday boi-okc-mem. It's a boi-mem flight the rest of the week, but likely to pick up extra weekend parcels leaving okc on the way to mem for monday delivery.

Using an A300?

LGA was our best shot several years ago when AA and DL were giving NY some attention. Think the window has passed, for now.

Well that sucks. I find it hard to believe we can't lure JetBlue or Delta to give us one of the NY airports. Is the traffic just not there?

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/September2017Enplanement_0.pdf

Down slightly. I would imagine this has to do with the hurricane season.

On KOSU this morning there was a report about if we keep this 4% growth rate, we will top 2014s record year. Does that seem right?

On KOSU this morning there was a report about if we keep this 4% growth rate, we will top 2014s record year. Does that seem right?

There's also a Journal Record article saying Will Rogers is poised for a record year. Looking at the numbers catch22 posted this morning, it looks like they might be close.

I think we have a fair shot of hitting that.

We'll be fine. Down months happen.

hey, we did our part to add to OKC's pax counts :)

Anyone have pics of Frontier's new flights today?

Not sure how long this has been going on but noticed today that AA has upgraded one of the CLT flights to mainline. It is the 7am departure using an A319. Shows to be a permanent change.

I’m flying out on that plane in December, also flying back on one from CLT at 8pm.

I’m flying out on that plane in December, also flying back on one from CLT at 8pm.

Nice. It is good to see mainline added to a different route. For the past 2 decades, mainline service has only been available to essentially a few airports. Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and occasionally Denver when United is in a good mood. We have seen sprinkles of temporary mainline upgrades to other cities that never stick. Hopefully this works well for AA.

Not sure how long this has been going on but noticed today that AA has upgraded one of the CLT flights to mainline. It is the 7am departure using an A319. Shows to be a permanent change.Hope the new plane has a slight reschedule from the CRJ. The CRJ got to CLT at a bad time to just miss a lot of the Caribbean connections (of which CLT has a lot), and the return flights from the Caribbean got back to CLT so that the late flight to OKC was poorly timed as well. MIA has good Caribbean connections, but you would have to change planes twice from OKC. So if you prefer American this might be a good option going forward.

Big month all across the board

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/October2017Enplanement.pdf

Good month.

If growth continues next year, we may be on track to have what I believe would be our first 400K mont next July.

Saw 5 airliners headed for landings on the parallels today when driving home from work around 5:30 or so when the airport gets a nice rush of arrivals. Pretty cool for an otherwise quiet airport.

Good month.

If growth continues next year, we may be on track to have what I believe would be our first 400K mont next July.

Is 400k a month a milestone other than a nice round number?

Is 400k a month a milestone other than a nice round number?

Well, since we have never had 400k passengers in a single month, it would be a milestone for OKC :)

Here's is some additional service that could help put us reach a 400k month... or a 4m pax year (we'll get close this year). Have any of you flown ViaAir? Would like to hear your feedback about them. ViaAir Nonstop to Austin, Begins Mid-January (https://goo.gl/BBzE3b)

https://flyokc.com/viaair-expands-okc-nonstop-flight-austin-bergstrom-international-airport

"ViaAir is pleased to announce new non-stop flights from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Oklahoma City and Tucson beginning January 18, 2018."

https://flyokc.com/viaair-expands-okc-nonstop-flight-austin-bergstrom-international-airport

"ViaAir is pleased to announce new non-stop flights from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Oklahoma City and Tucson beginning January 18, 2018."

ERJ-145 is the perfect size plane for this type of regional service.

https://flyokc.com/viaair-expands-okc-nonstop-flight-austin-bergstrom-international-airport

"ViaAir is pleased to announce new non-stop flights from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Oklahoma City and Tucson beginning January 18, 2018."

That’s fantastic news. In early on a growing regional carrier.

or a 4m pax year (we'll get close this year).

This is the real milestone, right?

This is the real milestone, right?

Both would be milestones. Airports usually celebrate their biggest months and biggest years on record.

I just meant that hitting 4 million may push us up to the medium hub designation instead of small. Not that that designation means anything.

I just meant that hitting 4 million may push us up to the medium hub designation instead of small. Not that that designation means anything.

Actually, in terms of the Federal funding we can receive for AIP eligible projects, the designation means a lot. But we are certainly not trying to remain at small hub:

From the FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Sponsor Guide -
Primary airport - Large and medium hub:
 The Federal share is 75% of AIP eligible
expenses;

Remaining airports - small hub, GA airports, etc.:
 The Federal share is 90% of AIP eligible costs

Actually, in terms of the Federal funding we can receive for AIP eligible projects, the designation means a lot. But we are certainly not trying to remain at small hub:

From the FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Sponsor Guide -
Primary airport - Large and medium hub:
 The Federal share is 75% of AIP eligible
expenses;

Remaining airports - small hub, GA airports, etc.:
 The Federal share is 90% of AIP eligible costs


Will airlines view us differently if we get over 4M? Kinda like how target will go maybe open a store in a city once it goes over 50,000 in population but not before.

Will airlines view us differently if we get over 4M? Kinda like how target will go maybe open a store in a city once it goes over 50,000 in population but not before.

I am sure others will chime in on this, but overall passenger numbers aren't necessarily the lure. Though I am sure that seeing a larger customer base is attractive and could be a minor factor, what's more attractive is if they can dial it down to finding under-served demand to a specific destination. When airlines see that, they are more willing to commit resources so they can pick up those customers. That is when you see larger aircraft, additional capacity, added to the route. Or, it may convince them to get off the fence regarding a route that isn't being served.

Actually, in terms of the Federal funding we can receive for AIP eligible projects, the designation means a lot. But we are certainly not trying to remain at small hub:

From the FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Sponsor Guide -
Primary airport - Large and medium hub:
 The Federal share is 75% of AIP eligible
expenses;

Remaining airports - small hub, GA airports, etc.:
 The Federal share is 90% of AIP eligible costs

Aside from the new Austin flights, are there any other potential destinations being worked on (new, as opposed to expanded service to existing connections)? I know you may not be able to give any concrete details, but I am just being curious.

Aside from the new Austin flights, are there any other potential destinations being worked on (new, as opposed to expanded service to existing connections)? I know you may not be able to give any concrete details, but I am just being curious.

It’s no secret that LGA and DCA are at the top of our list. We’ve been after them for a long time. Tomorrow at Trust, we are asking that the agreement with our new air service consultant be approved. We can’t be absolutely certain of getting specific routes, but we are hopeful that their representation will help us achieve some of our air service goals that have seemingly been out of reach.

It’s no secret that LGA and DCA are at the top of our list. We’ve been after them for a long time. Tomorrow at Trust, we are asking that the agreement with our new air service consultant be approved. We can’t be absolutely certain of getting specific routes, but we are hopeful that their representation will help us achieve some of our air service goals that have seemingly been out of reach.

Albuquerque would be awesome.

Why are there no direct flights from LAX to OKC from Frontier!? I thought there were at least going to be flights from San Diego to OKC directly. I wouldn’t mind taking the PacSurf to San Diego and catching a direct flight.

It’s no secret that LGA and DCA are at the top of our list. We’ve been after them for a long time. Tomorrow at Trust, we are asking that the agreement with our new air service consultant be approved. We can’t be absolutely certain of getting specific routes, but we are hopeful that their representation will help us achieve some of our air service goals that have seemingly been out of reach.

I personally would love a direct flight to LGA. There are a lot of NY transplants here. Between the FAA and Tinker, DCA would probably get a lot more commercial/business traffic. Also depends on how competitive the rates are.

Why are there no direct flights from LAX to OKC from Frontier!? I thought there were at least going to be flights from San Diego to OKC directly. I wouldn’t mind taking the PacSurf to San Diego and catching a direct flight.

LAX-OKC is very well covered by AA and UA at competitive fares, no room for frontier in that market.

Frontier SAN-OKC begins next spring.

Albuquerque would be awesome.

Karen was telling me this week that she thinks Albuquerque would do well.

Why are there no direct flights from LAX to OKC from Frontier!? I thought there were at least going to be flights from San Diego to OKC directly. I wouldn’t mind taking the PacSurf to San Diego and catching a direct flight.

Already serviced by southwest. True Denver is already serviced but they added that Denver flight to get to their hub.

New Orleans please

New Orleans please

Yes please!

OKC can't get away from Texas

It’s no secret that LGA and DCA are at the top of our list. We’ve been after them for a long time. Tomorrow at Trust, we are asking that the agreement with our new air service consultant be approved. We can’t be absolutely certain of getting specific routes, but we are hopeful that their representation will help us achieve some of our air service goals that have seemingly been out of reach.

OKC and TUL are within the perimeter, the issue could be landing slots. Maybe once the LGA terminal expansion is completed there will be a better chance of a daily nonstop. I think jetBlue would have to enter the market for there to be a JFK nonstop.

http://6331-presscdn-0-25.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015_03_02-LGAperimeterrule.jpg