Catch - why are they doing that?

What? Those east taxiways? I think they were planning ahead for future growth over there. My prediction is that by the time they are fully utilized it will be time to repour the concrete. I think the only thing they have ever been used for was parking those dozen SkyWest (Delta and United) regional jets on recently.

Yes, sorry. I should’ve specified. The east taxiways. Thanks for the response.

That is true. But all of those airports are hubs or focus cities that airlines want to keep developing. OKC is a disposable market, especially when oil is $35/bbl. OKC should have had deals in place for new routes before building. Granted, a pandemic was not predicted. But airlines are probably figuring which cities are profitable and worth growing, and OKC is NOT one, in my opinion. Not enough business travelers.

This is a little hyperbolic. Bigger the hub the more to lose.

And for the millionth time, okc is a govt and govt contractor time. Oilfield guys make the big bucks, but the base is govt.

I'd argue that American has been developing OKC into a focus city of some sort. At the end of the day the airlines pay for this through increased rent, landing fees, and passenger facility charges (paid by the passenger). Cost-per-enplanement is very important to the airlines, and they don't typically agree to airports spending money needlessly that the airlines eventually pay for by increased CPE. Any major project like this will have significant airline approval before proceeding.

For the 6 cities I fly to consistently AA is unbelievably convenient schedule wise. Hopefully they become more customer service and passenger friendly but the schedule is A+. Once SW dropped DFW I pretty much fly AA exclusively.

For the 6 cities I fly to consistently AA is unbelievably convenient schedule wise. Hopefully they become more customer service and passenger friendly but the schedule is A+. Once SW dropped DFW I pretty much fly AA exclusively.
Same here, go pokes. Their schedule offerings were the best out of OKC.

Same here, go pokes. Their schedule offerings were the best out of OKC.

You hope whoever the guy that clearly had some power is still around post layoffs. Some of this is all about how you interpret the data, and clearly we had a fan.

You hope whoever the guy that clearly had some power is still around post layoffs. Some of this is all about how you interpret the data, and clearly we had a fan.

Depends on which guy you're referring to. Sucks that it may take a pandemic, but I can't wait for Dougie P to be gone.

I think their strategy isn't OKC centric, but replicating out of DFW what DL does in ATL to small markets in immediate proximity to that hub. It's not just to win the spoke segment to Atlanta, it's about being the carrier of choice in those cities. AA seems to be, or was, strengthening their presence in OKC along those lines. Make a 400 mile perimeter around DFW where AA is the airline of choice, regardless if you even touch DFW. They can funnel low-yield traffic through DFW, while offering a prime selection of non-stop flights at a premium with low-risk of irregular operations, with 10 daily flights to DFW you can rescue most passengers in the event OKC-LAX cancels etc.

But hopefully they will continue to keep that strategy moving forward.

Nothing surprising here

May down 85% YOY

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/May2020Enplanement.pdf

June down 73% YOY

https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/June2020Enplanement.pdf

YTD down over 50%

Well at least we know may is the bottom.

Alaska really isn’t that far down. Bodes well for keeping the SEA flight.

American and SW bouncing back (relatively), United and delta lagging.

United has some big layoffs coming per reports. Catch, any word?

just received my layoff notice (to the street) :) just over 5 years since my last one when they closed OKC

Damn, Catch. Very sorry.

just received my layoff notice (to the street) :) just over 5 years since my last one when they closed OKC

Very surprised to hear this. I thought those who took ppp money were obligated to keep their workforce till October. Condolences. I hope that assistance will continue past July 31.

Very surprised to hear this. I thought those who took ppp money were obligated to keep their workforce till October. Condolences. I hope that assistance will continue past July 31.
I think because he’s Union that have to give a pretty long lead time notice. Probably isn’t effective till October.

just received my layoff notice (to the street) :) just over 5 years since my last one when they closed OKC

Man, I am very sorry to hear this. This thread works largely because of you. Thanks for all your hard work.

Any plans in place or just gonna ride it out and hope they rehire?

thanks everyone. its the least surprising news of the year honestly. i will hold recall rights, so hopefully when things get moving again I'll get recalled shortly.

i just barely missed the cut really, a few friends of mine 30 or so people higher in seniority didn't get one so I am one of the senior people to be furloughed in denver. which is good news because that means I should be one of the first to be recalled.

Any plans in place or just gonna ride it out and hope they rehire?

I love where I live, so no plans on chasing this anymore. eventually they'll call me back :)

Very surprised to hear this. I thought those who took ppp money were obligated to keep their workforce till October. Condolences. I hope that assistance will continue past July 31.


I think because he’s Union that have to give a pretty long lead time notice. Probably isn’t effective till October.

Correct Oct 1. They have been very upfront and honest about the band aid not being able to hold things past this date. Props to them, because historically the airlines have been very quiet about this sort of thing until they drop the hammer. Kudos to United for hinting at this in March.

yes, hopefully you can hold out and the airline's can get it back soon. Really, these things hit home when it impacts people you know and/or care about.

So unfortunate catch22, kept us updated about your situation and keep posting.

Delta reduces ATL-OKC to 4x daily for August, was planned to increase to 5 daily.

Delta suspends (again) DTW-OKC for August, was set to resume (or already has) to 2 daily.

Delta reduces MSP to 2 daily, was set to increase to normal 3 daily.

Wave 2 is quickly cresting on the airlines.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/16/business/american-jetblue-alliance/index.html

I wonder if there is any chance OKC eventually gets a Jet Blue flight to JFK (or even Boston) out of this? I assume after the Covid-19 recovery is well underway.

AA cancelling OKC-MIA eff. Aug

That’s a real bummer. Obviously a COVID-related loss. Was just on that flight to/from last week...load was about 50% on each flight.

Really hope we can get this route back quickly once things settle.

:( but hopefully temporary.

AA dropping MIA, LGA, DCA, LAX for Sept - back to DFW ORD CLT and PHX.

AA dropping MIA, LGA, DCA, LAX for Sept - back to DFW ORD CLT and PHX.

All that effort to expand AA in OKC, and they drop us like a bad habit. Figures, though. Maybe they will come back, but likely not.

All that effort to expand AA in OKC, and they drop us like a bad habit. Figures, though. Maybe they will come back, but likely not.

Every city in the nation is going through this

Every city in the nation is going through this

I know. But OKC does not have a business base with a lot of travelers, and with O&G prices in the tank, there is even less travel in this state

I know. But OKC does not have a business base with a lot of travelers, and with O&G prices in the tank, there is even less travel in this state

% wise we're about where every one else is, 25% of normal.

% wise we're about where every one else is, 25% of normal.

In my opinion, OKC is less likely to get to their pre-Covid #s than other comparable cities. Just my opinion, though.

In my opinion, OKC is less likely to get to their pre-Covid #s than other comparable cities. Just my opinion, though.

There's literally no way to predict how it's going to shake out

There's literally no way to predict how it's going to shake out

I am just looking at the quality of jobs that OKC has, and the fact that O&G will most likely never be as high as it was even last year. OKC has no big-time white-collar jobs coming in (don't say Costco), no relocations, nothing. Again, just my opinion, and I hope I am wrong.

I am just looking at the quality of jobs that OKC has, and the fact that O&G will most likely never be as high as it was even last year. OKC has no big-time white-collar jobs coming in (don't say Costco), no relocations, nothing. Again, just my opinion, and I hope I am wrong.

I mean thats true if you subtract the growth of Boeing white collar jobs, and the relocation we just had *checks calendar* last month.

https://www.aviationtoday.com/2020/06/30/ultra-persistent-skydweller-aero-announces-oklahoma-city-as-headquarters/

I mean thats true if you subtract the growth of Boeing white collar jobs, and the relocation we just had *checks calendar* last month.

https://www.aviationtoday.com/2020/06/30/ultra-persistent-skydweller-aero-announces-oklahoma-city-as-headquarters/

A couple hundred employees does not increased travel make. Look at DFW, they get 2-3,000 employees in their relocations. That is what OKC is lacking, and what I was implying.

A couple hundred employees does not increased travel make. Look at DFW, they get 2-3,000 employees in their relocations. That is what OKC is lacking, and what I was implying.

The Dallas airport is 10X the size of OKC's.

OKC relocations are 10% the size of Dallas'.

Math says the impact will be about the same.

This is an industry wide collapse. No one will be getting back all of their routes. Across the country there will be hundreds of cities pairs that will lose "prized" nonstop flights for the next 5-10 years. Too early to say OKC is getting shafted, the entire industry is tied on the tracks and getting run over by a freight train.

This is an industry wide collapse. No one will be getting back all of their routes. Across the country there will be hundreds of cities pairs that will lose "prized" nonstop flights for the next 5-10 years. Too early to say OKC is getting shafted, the entire industry is tied on the tracks and getting run over by a freight train.

That train must be on Red Bull 'cos it gives you wiiings. Sorry, I know it's not a laughing matter, but I just had to... Hope you get your job back, catch.

This is an industry wide collapse. No one will be getting back all of their routes. Across the country there will be hundreds of cities pairs that will lose "prized" nonstop flights for the next 5-10 years. Too early to say OKC is getting shafted, the entire industry is tied on the tracks and getting run over by a freight train.

I believe the ongoing restrictions in most of the countries in the world on travellers from this country is also going to hinder righting the industry. This was not an issue in previous downturns such as 9.11

Southwest suspending OKC-DCA Aug 31-Oct 26

July out
https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/News/July2020Enplanement.pdf

I bet Alaska is the only airline at least breaking even in OKC. Sometimes it's a benefit to be the smallest with the least overhead.

What's going on here ?
https://twitter.com/AirlineFlyer/status/1293705565185744903?s=19

16328

Looks like touch and goes. Pretty standard in OKC.

The E-6's are home based at Tinker. They are Navy planes and are home based in the middle of the country to buy a little more time in case of attack. Google them. They are the ones whose main job is to communicate with our ballistic missile subs.

The E-4 is a 747 plane that is the so called Doomsday Plane. They are home based in Omaha NE at Offut AFB. Google them. This particular one I noticed on ABSDexchange.com, which is an interesting aviation website someone alerted me to back in March when we were all quarantining at home, it gave me something to do to pass the time. Today this particular E4 flew from Omaha and shot a bunch of approaches, first at Tinker then at Will Rogers, then flew back home.

ADSBexchange.com is an interesting site, as an aviation lover I've enjoyed it when I run across an unusual or rare plane flying around. It passes the time, gives me something to do.

obviously without being in the know - it's all speculation.

one thing i have learned with aviation is either it makes 100% sense or it is completely random and coincidental.

for example if they were told they needed to fly 7 hours today and get in 20 missed approached... the dispatcher may have picked tinker/okc because he has a cousin in okc that likes airplanes and wanted to surprise him. the fuel has to be burnt anyway. i would say this is highly unlikely. but aviation is full of stuff like this. pilots dont care, they do as they are told as long as it is not unsafe.

or, there was an actual reason. Field Aerospace (ARINC) at WRWA does military avionics work. perhaps they needed an E-4 in the area so they could live test some confidential communications or datalink equipment. they may not have needed the E-4 do anything other than be in the area. so they decided to do pattern work for a couple hours.

i know if it were an actual mission they wouldnt be flying low altitude in the pattern....

^^^ I think it was just a training flight, and/or the plane had been in maintenance and needing a little trip.

If you will look right now, right now, you see a Russian IL76 that just crossed into Oklahoma in Western Oklahoma, on a NW to SE directional path, probably overhead Elk City right now. This is one big sucker! They use them for for-hire transport of huge or heavy oversize things.

We'll see shortly where it lands. It's VDA3562 and it came out of Anchorage Alaska, where it undoubtedly refueled and did a crew rest, etc.

I was doing a pickup about 7:00 tonight at WRWA and this av geek reaaaallly enjoyed watching a few of touch and gos and missed approaches from the cell phone lot--it was awesome.

The E-4 did touch-and-gos at WRWA a couple times earlier this year as well. We're a nice-sized airport relatively close to Omaha so it works out well for them for training...

Watch WRWA closely and you'd be amazed how many military flights come in for fuel or touch-and-go training. I spot quite a few from my desk near Integris Baptist - I have north and west facing windows so I get to see many approaching aircraft. Also, if you're on Instagram, follow https://www.instagram.com/planelycrazy/ or https://www.instagram.com/the_fighterjetgeek/ for OKC stuff and https://www.instagram.com/okavgeek/ for Tulsa stuff.

Just did a check of Allegiant's website for departures out of OKC and the only destinations available to book were Destin and Las Vegas. Switched the departure city to TUL and they have SFB, LAX, PIE, and LAS! Anyone get any news about Allegiant dropping SFB and LAX from OKC?

Last night an Antonov A124 landed in Tulsa. That's one big honker!

I know this is the OKC website but you rarely see one of those big A124's.

For anyone not familar with those, they only haul super heavy and oversized loads. Very specialized.

Last night an Antonov A124 landed in Tulsa. That's one big honker!

I know this is the OKC website but you rarely see one of those big A124's.

For anyone not familar with those, they only haul super heavy and oversized loads. Very specialized.

There is a oilfield manufacturer in Tulsa (not sure which one) that these come for to pick up large pieces of equipment and fly them to Russia.

Last night an Antonov A124 landed in Tulsa. That's one big honker!

I know this is the OKC website but you rarely see one of those big A124's.

For anyone not familar with those, they only haul super heavy and oversized loads. Very specialized.

That would be very cool to see. Saw the Antonov AN-225 at an airshow here decades ago, wish I could see *that one* again, but not sure if it flies here in the US anymore...

Effective October only (*explained below)

Delta reduces ATL-OKC to 4 daily, down from 6 (2019: 5).
Delta suspends DTW-OKC 0 daily
Delta reduces MSP-OKC to 2 daily, down from 3 (2019: 2)

*Since demand is highly variable and unpredictable, most airlines have reduced their firm scheduling window to 30-60 days out. They will accept bookings as normal but refine the schedule much closer on. So this results in suspensions and reductions only being effective for essentially 30 days at a time.

I still don't fully understand the demand picture. Flew to Chicago last weekend, flight out was 1 seat short of full, flight back had like 5 empty seats. Airports seemed as packed as usual.

I still don't fully understand the demand picture. Flew to Chicago last weekend, flight out was 1 seat short of full, flight back had like 5 empty seats. Airports seemed as packed as usual.

Mainly junk fares. Business travel is dead. Most of the demand is unprofitable. Adding flights to capture this traffic is financial suicide as it increases supply and costs while depressing already unsustainable yields

I agree airports seem to be packed, but you are seeing a false image of it by only seeing it at one particular time.

We are running less than half the banks of normal in Denver, outside of the banks there is nothing going on. Most of the stores in the concourse close for several hours between banks, complete ghost town. The banks are condensed to provide maximum connection potential - connecting as many cities as possible in one bank in order to reduce the number of banks required. So during the banks it is an absolute madhouse. but outside of them you could probably walk naked in the concourse with no one spotting you. havent tried it probably wont, dont recommend.

Makes sense, thanks for the insight

I agree airports seem to be packed, but you are seeing a false image of it by only seeing it at one particular time.

We are running less than half the banks of normal in Denver, outside of the banks there is nothing going on. Most of the stores in the concourse close for several hours between banks, complete ghost town. The banks are condensed to provide maximum connection potential - connecting as many cities as possible in one bank in order to reduce the number of banks required. So during the banks it is an absolute madhouse. but outside of them you could probably walk naked in the concourse with no one spotting you. havent tried it probably wont, dont recommend.

Interesting. I was at DEN over the weekend and it was packed to the gills. Probably the busiest I've ever seen it, literally wall to wall people at the gates. The people mover was packed solid, so much for social distancing..