Yeah, Air Canada Express already serves MCI and STL to YYZ (on CRJ2s though) and starting May 1 even OMA will have service to YYZ!

YYZ is a great airport for international connections. Lots of flights to Europe and Asia, and a very nice terminal for a layover. Air Canada is also a step up from the US airlines like AA and United, IMO.

YYZ is a great airport for international connections. Lots of flights to Europe and Asia, and a very nice terminal for a layover. Air Canada is also a step up from the US airlines like AA and United, IMO.

Indeed - AC does excellent business connecting US-Europe/Asia travelers via YYZ (and to some extent YVR). Haven't flown them personally but I know many who have and rave about the painless process to connect at YYZ. Would be incredible if AC actually came to OKC one day!

I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Air Canada within 5 years. Toronto has preclearance, and they have recently been expanding to middle tier US cities. "I wouldn't be surprised" should not be taken as a "I expect".

I hope so. I used to fly into YYZ all the time. Toronto is one of my favorite cities.

Huh. I never knew where the title came from for Rush’s “YYZ.” Now I do. Thanks Internet!

Huh. I never knew where the title came from for Rush’s “YYZ.” Now I do. Thanks Internet!

The rhythm is also the Morse code syntax for Y-Y-Z. Morse code is used by pilots to identify the correct radio navigation frequency when tuning into a ground based navigation radio signal.

Thanks again, Internet!

Also, good grief how nerdy are the guys from Rush...

Not directly tied to Oklahoma but Great Lakes Aviation CEASED operations today out of Denver. From what I read it was mainly because of pilot shortages and low pay.

Great Lakes did not fly into Oklahoma but it did offer hope to Central Plains communities for EAS service.

Not directly tied to Oklahoma but Great Lakes Aviation CEASED operations today out of Denver. From what I read it was mainly because of pilot shortages and low pay.

Great Lakes did not fly into Oklahoma but it did offer hope to Central Plains communities for EAS service.

Similar situation as PenAir which ended its Denver regional operations last year. That leaves Denver Air Connection (EAS to Riverton and Sheridan, WY) and Boutique Air (EAS to Cortez, Alamosa, Dodge City and a few towns in NE).

SkyWest has been aggressive at pursuing EAS flying on the 50 seat CRJ. Much more reliable and comfortable than these fly by night operations such as Great Lakes.

Made a trip to Omaha this week and I just want to commend Josh and the WRWA staff for providing us with a far superior product to what I experienced at OMA. It's hard to believe they have better service options than OKC as the airport could be best described as a "dump." Food options airside are nil or very poor, facilities dirty, etc. Sure makes you appreciate how nice an airport we have for our market size.

I enjoy the openness of the OKC terminal. I really wish the baggage claim area felt as "open" as the upstairs. Taking out the ceiling tiles and changing the paint color could really make the downstairs feel much more "open". But I agree with the post above, OKC airport really is quite nice for it's market size

March traffic has been posted.

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/March2018Enplanement_0.pdf

March traffic has been posted.

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/March2018Enplanement_0.pdf

Still pretty impressive. Why is United down so much compared to the others? Capacity cuts?

Lower capacity and increased competition with frontier entering the DEN market recently. Nothing major, I believe we lost 1 mainline trip to DEN. That is likely the cause.

Post deleted

Made a trip to Omaha this week and I just want to commend Josh and the WRWA staff for providing us with a far superior product to what I experienced at OMA. It's hard to believe they have better service options than OKC as the airport could be best described as a "dump." Food options airside are nil or very poor, facilities dirty, etc. Sure makes you appreciate how nice an airport we have for our market size.

I appreciate the feedback, will pass it along. Thank you.

ViaAir WILL NOT start up service to AUS. The route has been canceled .

Please don't spread rumors when you have absolutely NOT confirmed this type of information with us or the airline itself. The Via Ops Manager has been here all day setting up their office. The logistics of their operations are coming together, the same way other new airlines have operated when they move into the market. Via Airlines has not cancelled service from OKC/AUS. Via reported to us that they did have a scheduling issue. They were tweaking arrival/departure times and a couple of flights were inadvertently dropped from the schedule. The flights will be reloaded if they haven’t already.

ViaAir WILL NOT start up service to AUS. The route has been canceled .

Source? If it's the OAG thread I believe it was confirmed to be a filing error that invalidated the schedule in GDS. It is still for sale.

My apologies. Will delete. It was from OAG

My apologies. Will delete. It was from OAG

Thank you.

Slowed down a touch but still posting solid growth #’s.

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/March2018Enplanement_0.pdf

Slowed down a touch but still posting solid growth #’s.

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/March2018Enplanement_0.pdf

^Already linked above in post #253 ;-).

Also, glad to see Via is still on track to start AUS-OKC-AUS. Hoping with the increase in passenger numbers overall it gets some momentum. At any rate, wasn't expecting to have OKC posting double-digit growth this early in the year, good to see. Also doesn't look like American Eagle's SWO service has impacted OKC traffic in anyway.

Speaking of Eagle, I found out the other day on the DFW website that the Terminal E satellite is being renovated and updated, and will have up to 15 gates. Turns out that Eagle will be setting up shop there after its renovated. So Eagle will be in two different terminals since it moved to Terminal B. Just some tidbit of information.

^Already linked above in post #253 ;-).

Also, glad to see Via is still on track to start AUS-OKC-AUS. Hoping with the increase in passenger numbers overall it gets some momentum. At any rate, wasn't expecting to have OKC posting double-digit growth this early in the year, good to see. Also doesn't look like American Eagle's SWO service has impacted OKC traffic in anyway.

Speaking of Eagle, I found out the other day on the DFW website that the Terminal E satellite is being renovated and updated, and will have up to 15 gates. Turns out that Eagle will be setting up shop there after its renovated. So Eagle will be in two different terminals since it moved to Terminal B. Just some tidbit of information.

I missed it in the drama

I'm curious if Via Air is doing any advertising for Austin POS travelers? I haven't noticed any advertising at all in OKC. Due to my social media preferences and site visits, I get ads for every airline in OKC. I haven't noticed any Via Air ads. I really hope they aren't depending on word of mouth or GDS (think Expedia, etc.) based sales. They have zero brand awareness and that concerns me.

I wish them well. I noticed the other day flying out that they had a few bag carts laying around by Gate 12. I wonder if Frontier's ground handling company is also handling Via Air?

I wish my company had apass agreement with them, I'd fly them just to try them out. But I'm not paying $300 RT for a trial.

I'm curious if Via Air is doing any advertising for Austin POS travelers? I haven't noticed any advertising at all in OKC. Due to my social media preferences and site visits, I get ads for every airline in OKC. I haven't noticed any Via Air ads. I really hope they aren't depending on word of mouth or GDS (think Expedia, etc.) based sales. They have zero brand awareness and that concerns me.

I wish them well. I noticed the other day flying out that they had a few bag carts laying around by Gate 12. I wonder if Frontier's ground handling company is also handling Via Air?

I wish my company had apass agreement with them, I'd fly them just to try them out. But I'm not paying $300 RT for a trial.

Ballin on a budget can have consequences

You should start to see/hear ads in about a week. They are hiring their own staff and will operate out of Gate 10, with United.

Allegiant just doing Allegiant things

https://thepointsguy.com/news/allegiant-air-60-minutes-report/?utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Editorial&utm_campaign=FACEBOOK-100000212675773

You should start to see/hear ads in about a week. They are hiring their own staff and will operate out of Gate 10, with United.

How is that working? United is the leaseholder for Gate 10, did they work out a sublease? Or is the airport forcing gate utilization?

How is that working? United is the leaseholder for Gate 10, did they work out a sublease? Or is the airport forcing gate utilization?

The lease gives them preferential use, not exclusive use of the gate. All gate leases at WRWA are for preferential use. So Via is timing everything to co-exist with United operations. If their is a conflict with United operations, Via will have to move.

Thanks for the clarification, I had thought they were exclusive.

So, let me ask this, why share with United and not Frontier, Alaska, or the city's Gate 1? All 3 of those are very low utilization. Gate 10 is pretty low utilization too, but it strikes me odd that they would be "borrowing from" the busiest (by # of departures) carrier at the airport? If a United hub backs up, (fairly likely in the winter at ORD and EWR, and summer at IAH and DEN), United goes back to using all 5 gates as airplanes back up and block gates.

Thanks for the clarification, I had thought they were exclusive.

So, let me ask this, why share with United and not Frontier, Alaska, or the city's Gate 1? All 3 of those are very low utilization. Gate 10 is pretty low utilization too, but it strikes me odd that they would be "borrowing from" the busiest (by # of departures) carrier at the airport? If a United hub backs up, (fairly likely in the winter at ORD and EWR, and summer at IAH and DEN), United goes back to using all 5 gates as airplanes back up and block gates.

Gates 1, 2 & 10 all had possible scheduling conflicts. United was willing to work with them and chose Gate 10.

With Spirit Airlines possibly purchasing smaller regional size jets to service smaller markets, what are the chances that OKC would pick up Spirit as a carrier?

With Spirit Airlines possibly purchasing smaller regional size jets to service smaller markets, what are the chances that OKC would pick up Spirit as a carrier?

That would be truly stunning if NK actually bought a new type. A ULCC like NK would most likely stick with the A320 series so that would be a massive shift in their strategy to introduce a whole new aircraft. Regardless, surely NK is taking note of F9's success here.

That would be truly stunning if NK actually bought a new type. A ULCC like NK would most likely stick with the A320 series so that would be a massive shift in their strategy to introduce a whole new aircraft. Regardless, surely NK is taking note of F9's success here.

Depends on success? Full flights aren’t always profitable. I’ve been buying Frontier tickets for my commute to denver and they are cheap. 2 examples: 1 fare was $9.80 + tax. My trip May 5 is $3.72 + tax.

Heard an ad for via air on the sports animal today

Depends on success? Full flights aren’t always profitable. I’ve been buying Frontier tickets for my commute to denver and they are cheap. 2 examples: 1 fare was $9.80 + tax. My trip May 5 is $3.72 + tax.

That's low even by F9 standards but they're doing this all over the country and somehow are still in business. Of course sustainability is the big unknown!

That's low even by F9 standards but they're doing this all over the country and somehow are still in business. Of course sustainability is the big unknown!

True. And not every fare sold is that price. Just some anecdotal information.

That's low even by F9 standards but they're doing this all over the country and somehow are still in business. Of course sustainability is the big unknown!

True. And not every fare sold is that price. Just some anecdotal information.

Any word on how the loads are for Via's first flights to/from AUS?

http://https://airlinerwatch.com/spirit-airlines-to-buy-regional-jets-to-fill-the-gap-in-barely-served-routes/

Here is the story about Spirit Airlines purchasing smaller regional size jets.

I read that Southwest is leasing 8 gates at DCA and 12 gates at LGA from Alaska. Any chance OKC could land a route from this new availability?

I read that Southwest is leasing 8 gates at DCA and 12 gates at LGA from Alaska. Any chance OKC could land a route from this new availability?


Sorry, I meant slots. Not gates.

Southwest is abandoning small market Point 2 Point. Extra slots from DCA or LGA will go to beef up trunk routes. S Florida, Chicago, Etc.

I’m in the mood to be surprised though.

I have on good authority that Alaska will be expanding its presence in OKC beginning with next winter's schedule. Also, the j-lines at their gate (2) are also being updated to include all of Alaska's aircraft types (except A321)--so they can begin accepting company diversions. Hopefully, we'll know something by mid-summer.

I have on good authority that Alaska will be expanding its presence in OKC beginning with next winter's schedule. Also, the j-lines at their gate (2) are also being updated to include all of Alaska's aircraft types (except A321)--so they can begin accepting company diversions. Hopefully, we'll know something by mid-summer.

Do tell - a 2nd daily to SEA? Or starting OKC-PDX? Or upgauging to mainline?

I have on good authority that Alaska will be expanding its presence in OKC beginning with next winter's schedule. Also, the j-lines at their gate (2) are also being updated to include all of Alaska's aircraft types (except A321)--so they can begin accepting company diversions. Hopefully, we'll know something by mid-summer.

Do tell - a 2nd daily to SEA? Or starting OKC-PDX? Or upgauging to mainline?

My bet would be mainline to SEA.

Mid tier markets have failed out of PDX (OMA, STL) so I can’t see them attempting an even thinner market of comparable distance.

A wild card would be an ABQ-like expansion. SFO or SJC and SAN.

My bet would be mainline to SEA.

Mid tier markets have failed out of PDX (OMA, STL) so I can’t see them attempting an even thinner market of comparable distance.

A wild card would be an ABQ-like expansion. SFO or SJC and SAN.

Have PDX-OMA/STL actually failed, like they discontinued these routes? How's MCI doing, then?

Have PDX-OMA/STL actually failed, like they discontinued these routes? How's MCI doing, then?

I believe they were brought to less than daily and eventually dropped.

PDX seems like a major longshot. There just isn’t enough traffic for such a long route and not enough connecting traffic in that region. SJC and SAN I could see at some point. Really hoping Alaska starts SEA service to TUL now that the OKC market has matured and with Tulsa’s aerospace business connections.

The intelligence seemed to indicate that new service would likely be part of this upgraded presence. I would hope for an upgauge in addition to new service. SAN, LAX, SNA, even LGA, I think would all be possibilities. We will know in July when the schedule is loaded.

sounds great!!! and in a big way, it makes sense given OKC is Alaska's maintenance depot - might as well sell revenue flights whilst moving planes in/out. Isn't this what AA does in Tulsa, notably with the once weekly Miami-TUL flight?

I believe they were brought to less than daily and eventually dropped.

I looked these up on Wikipedia (not sure how accurate it is then) and PDX-OMA and PDX-MCI are listed as seasonal. PDX-STL ends mid May.

Southwest announced that it will fly to 4 Hawaiian cities initially from 4 California gateways: OAK, SJC, SMF and SAN. They also plan inter-island flights. I wonder when Southwest will start flying to California from OKC and TUL? PHX and LAS are the further west they currently go.

Monster month for April.

ViaAir starts off with 24% load factor.

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/April2018Enplanement.pdf

Monster month for April.

ViaAir starts off with 24% load factor.

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/April2018Enplanement.pdf

How long will they let it grow before they start think about pulling the plug

It’s typical for larger airlines to give 1-2 years for a route to mature.

Since they are small, I’m not sure. Maybe a year

How long will they let it grow before they start think about pulling the plug

Certainly longer than half a month. I think it has a lot to do with a lack of brand recognition. No one here has heard of Via Air, and I think that matters.

It will no doubt improve. I’d say if they are in the 60’s-70’s % LF by the end of the summer they will keep it.