If you calculate out those equipment capacities I believe it is physically impossible for them to have that many passengers in a month. But I also doubt Delta was down that much. Maybe some of Delta's was applied to United?? Who knows....
For February it was UAX added twice and no mainline numbers. I will look tomorrow as I can’t access the traffic reports from home.

Okay so I just checked and March numbers for United are exactly doubled again, and no mainline numbers added (there were a handful of mainline departures).

should be roughly around 22,700 departure and 23,300 arrival pax.

Breeze isn't operating in OKC any more, right? I ask that because I drove through the pickup area of the airport and they had a sign lit up.

^correct

Okay so I just checked and March numbers for United are exactly doubled again, and no mainline numbers added (there were a handful of mainline departures).

should be roughly around 22,700 departure and 23,300 arrival pax.

I don't think you have access to Delta's numbers, but a 25 to 30% drop doesn't seem right either, does it?

Federal Aviation Administration: Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center Acadamy
Will Rogers World Airport WRWA - Oklahoma City: 3,300 employees


https://fastly.4sqi.net/img/general/600x600/VO42r9-QxeU_JYQwnpfM8EWqGcfOiN81K-JQh-TFAuM.jpg


Plans to accelerate the training of air traffic controllers in Oklahoma City would likely be derailed by budget cuts or even a budget stalemate in Congress, the head of the agency Billy Nolen warned a key congressional subcommittee headed by Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole.

Nolen told the subcommittee. “This budget provides the investment necessary to ensure that a surge of new controllers can match this resurgence in air traffic.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was in Oklahoma City in March to tour the center, which also includes programs geared toward commercial space transportation and hazardous materials safety. The FAA is asking for a budget bump of $117 million for the next fiscal year so it can hire 1,800 new controllers.

Although they have not released a budget detailing specifics, House Republicans approved a bill last week that would slow federal spending for the next 10 years.
The Senate, controlled by Democrats, is not expected to consider the House bill.

Cole, asked Nolen about the potential impact if no budget agreement could be reached and agencies were told to operate under a continuing resolution (CR) that left in place the funding levels and directives approved for the current year. “Every appropriator on both sides of the aisle does not want to see that result,” Cole told Nolen. “And I’m quite sure you at the FAA don’t want to see that either.”

“When we think about the kind of cuts that might either be anticipated or put forth, we are talking about having to furlough all FAA employees for up to 22 days,” Nolen said. “We are talking about the potential reduction in force of up to 10%, which is in excess of 4,000 FAA employees. It means immediate cuts in all of these critical systems. It would mean suspending training at our FAA academy … this path we’re on to getting more controllers out there to meet the demand that is back faster than ever.

“It would mean closing, shutting down service at 125 low-activity towers and over 250 federal contract towers.”

Republican Rep. John Rutherford, of Florida, asked whether it was even feasible to hire new controllers at the pace envisioned by the FAA, noting that only 60% of those who begin the training are ultimately certified.

Nolen said he did believe the goal could be achieved. The most immediate concern about conflicting budget approaches is the debt ceiling, which is expected to be reached within a few months, and the prospect for default.

Like it or not, these cuts are hurting. For the second year now, we are curtailing any part orders except for high profile locations. Tough choices being made and it just gets worse until funding is renewed. Academy needs to keep controller training ongoing before the shortage gets even worse as others retire

Laramie, your story was meant for the WRWA thread not this one which is used for stats/experiences and airlines.

April is out. United looks fixed. https://flyokc.com/sites/default/files/April%202023%20Enplanement.pdf

They corrected the March united numbers too.

I don't know what I did to deserve it, but I am seeing Southwest ads for various non-stop service from Dallas Love Field in banner and side ads as I am online. To set the facts, I have flown Southwest one time in the last year (from OKC), I live in OKC, I am currently in OKC, and I have not searched any flights on Southwest.com (DAL or otherwise). Is anyone else seeing this? Is it just a random algorithm miss or are they actually marketing DAL service to OKC residents?

I don't know what I did to deserve it, but I am seeing Southwest ads for various non-stop service from Dallas Love Field in banner and side ads as I am online. To set the facts, I have flown Southwest one time in the last year (from OKC), I live in OKC, I am currently in OKC, and I have not searched any flights on Southwest.com (DAL or otherwise). Is anyone else seeing this? Is it just a random algorithm miss or are they actually marketing DAL service to OKC residents?

What you're seeing is SW marketing arm using your search history against you. They are looking at the types of searches you've done, not just where you've searched. Searching for F150's? You'll probably see Ram ads. Searching for Vacation in Costa Rica? You'll probably see Virgin Island ads.

They corrected the March united numbers too.

Curious - where did you catch the corrected March numbers?

Curious - where did you catch the corrected March numbers?

On the airport website, there are both published.
If you look at their March report, it was originally 40,000 + as their United numbers were incorrect.
On the April report, their March number went down.

I am not sure if February needs to be corrected to tough.

So looking at a trip to MSP in November. Friday to Monday. On Delta it's $618 round-trip.

There are connections and better times: AA is $446, SWA is $345. United was just absurd so stopped researching.

I figured a direct flight would be a little more competitive on Delta but clearly not the case. Anyone have any insight on Delta? Are they more focused on business travelers vs leisure?

Anyone have any insight on Delta? Are they more focused on business travelers vs leisure?

I think the big 4 airlines (AA, SWA, Delta, United) all focus on business travelers. They usually have their company pay a higher fare with business class and business travelers travel more often.

Southwest is kind of caught in the middle catering to vacation destinations like Orlando and Vegas, in addition to their direct flight model to larger cities and I would assume the ultra low carriers (Allegiant, Frontier, Spirit) cater to a leisure traveler since they don't offer has many daily flights and perks that would cater to a business traveler.

I may be a cynic but the prices to fly in and out of okc are in no way "normal". We are a underserved, overpriced destination with little to no growth. It is what it is but it is disappointing that nothing seems to be being done about it. I mean update the website at the very least.. quite literally the lowest hanging fruit.

And don't tell me there are not planes or pilots. Look at the recent route additions to comparable cities like Louisville, Memphis, Birmingham, De Moines. They are navigating the rough waters just fine. Its pathetic really.

I may be a cynic but the prices to fly in and out of okc are in no way "normal". We are a underserved, overpriced destination with little to no growth. It is what it is but it is disappointing that nothing seems to be being done about it. I mean update the website at the very least.. quite literally the lowest hanging fruit.

And don't tell me there are not planes or pilots. Look at the recent route additions to comparable cities like Louisville, Memphis, Birmingham, De Moines. They are navigating the rough waters just fine. Its pathetic really.

Be careful, you will get bashed for this view. I have repeatedly said the same thing. It's gone downhill since the last Airport Director left. Covid aside, it is basically stagnant, and overpriced for the routes offered. I am flying out of DFW from now on, because the flight from OKC to DFW added $400 to the cost of a trip to PDX. OKC can't get out of its own way, and we are the ones who suffer.

So looking at a trip to MSP in November. Friday to Monday. On Delta it's $618 round-trip.

There are connections and better times: AA is $446, SWA is $345. United was just absurd so stopped researching.

I figured a direct flight would be a little more competitive on Delta but clearly not the case. Anyone have any insight on Delta? Are they more focused on business travelers vs leisure?Delta only cares about ATL from OKC. They only have a token presence to some hubs otherwise. There used to be up to 4 daily flights from OKC to MSP. Now there is only 1. Even while they have beefed up SLC they have done nothing to increase their service to OKC. Delta couldn't care less about OKC except trying to keep SWA from stealing market share to ATL.

Be careful, you will get bashed for this view. I have repeatedly said the same thing. It's gone downhill since the last Airport Director left. Covid aside, it is basically stagnant, and overpriced for the routes offered. I am flying out of DFW from now on, because the flight from OKC to DFW added $400 to the cost of a trip to PDX. OKC can't get out of its own way, and we are the ones who suffer.

Agreed. But "it's not the airport director's job" apparently. What is his job then? Not to fill the 5+ empty gates we have? If we can't get Delta to bring back a single daily flight to a hub like Detroit, with 3 brand new empty gates just sitting there, then we are simply lost in my opinion. Every single time I used to fly that route for work it was 100% full.

Delta only cares about ATL from OKC. They only have a token presence to some hubs otherwise. There used to be up to 4 daily flights from OKC to MSP. Now there is only 1. Even while they have beefed up SLC they have done nothing to increase their service to OKC. Delta couldn't care less about OKC except trying to keep SWA from stealing market share to ATL.

The fact that SWA actually runs that route out of OKC is pretty impressive. They only have 1 nonstop a day and the times leave a bit to be desired and def not meant for business. That being said, comparing the two closest times, SWA roundtrip was $430, and DL was $647.

I did a little more research that two of the five nonstops a day to ATL on Delta are A320s. So that's at least nice to see.

I feel like booking a flight is a test to avoid falling into a predatory trap,all the trip protection, paying fees to "hold the fare" for a few days, clicking on the wrong colored seat map, fees, penalties, nonrefundable stuff.

These airlines are preying on travelers,it's disgusting they keep getting bailouts and can treat the public in the ways they do.

I'm flying Allegiant for the first time to VPS in September. The only non-stop to the Destin area and the times are decent. Never flown Allegiant as I typically only fly SW, United or AA. Anyone have any recent experience flying them?

They have improved greatly in service since about 5-7 years ago when they were in the news a lot for mechanical issues/scheduling problems. Now they are not in the news for those things anymore and their fleet is much more reliable now. They are even buying new airplanes now! Biggest thing with them is READ THE FINE PRINT, meaning get to know what IS and IS NOT included in your base fare. EVERYTHING is an extra cost. Be especially careful about your luggage. It will cost you TONS more to have to check your bags at the airport instead of knowing and booking ahead of time just what you will need for your baggage allowances--how many to check vs. what you will carry on--just be very familiar with all of that and you will be fine. They count on disorganized and uninformed passengers off of whom they make tons of ancillary fees, etc.

Celebrator has a lot of good points.

I was avoiding Allegiant until the airline sent all their old B757 and MD into retirements. I flew it with my family for the first time, last year and no issue. The A 319 was clean and the staff was acting nice.

Be careful with the 40lb baggage limit instead of 53.

I feel like booking a flight is a test to avoid falling into a predatory trap,all the trip protection, paying fees to "hold the fare" for a few days, clicking on the wrong colored seat map, fees, penalties, nonrefundable stuff.

These airlines are preying on travelers,it's disgusting they keep getting bailouts and can treat the public in the ways they do.

That's why it's a good idea to pay a professional to help you with this instead of trying to do everything yourself.

I'm flying Allegiant for the first time to VPS in September. The only non-stop to the Destin area and the times are decent. Never flown Allegiant as I typically only fly SW, United or AA. Anyone have any recent experience flying them?

The biggest problem is that, if they have a flight cancelled, there is no backup to book you on another flight. You are stuck until they find a way to get you on another plane, either the same day or another day. They only have one flight scheduled on the day you travel and they won't put you on another airline. The best that will happen is that they will give you a refund and you are on your own to find a flight on another airline.

That's why it's a good idea to pay a professional to help you with this instead of trying to do everything yourself.

It shouldn't take "paying a professional" to book airline tickets

I flew to SLC last month. Direct on Delta up there, then AA back through DFW. The AA flight was half of what the direct on Delta was... My return flight was more full than the flight to SLC. $550 vs $280

It appears starting June 3 OKC-DEN will be going from 3x to 4x daily, with mainline returning for one of those flights. Progress....

604am - E175
947am - E175
1120am - CR2 (gross)
520pm - Mainly A319 with 7M8 on Saturdays and an occasional 739 on Sundays

It's been 4x daily since the pandemic eased.

It appears starting June 3 OKC-DEN will be going from 3x to 4x daily, with mainline returning for one of those flights. Progress....

604am - E175
947am - E175
1120am - CR2 (gross)
520pm - Mainly A319 with 7M8 on Saturdays and an occasional 739 on Sundays


Has this den - okc been a 737 or is it a recent change?

July flight

Flight UA 2251
Duration 1h 37m
AircraftBoeing 737-800

It's been 4x daily since the pandemic eased.

My apologies -- for some reason June 1 and 2 are only 3x.

My apologies -- for some reason June 1 and 2 are only 3x.

The new system schedule begins June 3, there could be some schedule slack in the day or two before as some hubs start off larger than others and you need to reposition airplanes and crews etc.

I may be a cynic but the prices to fly in and out of okc are in no way "normal". We are a underserved, overpriced destination with little to no growth. It is what it is but it is disappointing that nothing seems to be being done about it. I mean update the website at the very least.. quite literally the lowest hanging fruit.

And don't tell me there are not planes or pilots. Look at the recent route additions to comparable cities like Louisville, Memphis, Birmingham, De Moines. They are navigating the rough waters just fine. Its pathetic really.

I am amazed that the website still isn't updated. I had to look to make sure but the new gates were completed in Sept of 2021 and if you look at the map of the terminal on flyokc they still aren't there.

It shouldn't take "paying a professional" to book airline tickets

LOL, If booking a ticket was all that was involved, you might be correct. But wading through the intricacies of how to deal with airlines and flights when everything doesn't go exactly as planned, be my guest to get into that flytrap all by yourself.

I am amazed that the website still isn't updated. I had to look to make sure but the new gates were completed in Sept of 2021 and if you look at the map of the terminal on flyokc they still aren't there.

Holt seems to care about the airport's optics a lot. Perhaps bugging him on social media will get him to do some poking.

Also tell him to get flight crews to stop calling it Oak City.. :)

...
Also tell him to get flight crews to stop calling it Oak City.. :)

Yes, so much this! Lived here from 1965 - 1995, 2009 - present, and I've *never* heard anybody that actually lives or lived here call it that.

Yes, so much this! Lived here from 1965 - 1995, 2009 - present, and I've *never* heard anybody that actually lives or lived here call it that.

That's like the people who live in San Francisco don't like for it to be called Frisco.

The FAA call sign for Oklahoma City Approach/Departure Control is Oke City Approach. With no other context most probably assume it is a local term. They fly into dozens and dozens of different airports a year and other than finding it on a chart or riding the shuttle to the layover hotel most have zero interaction with any of the cities they fly to.

https://www.airnav.com/airport/OKC

The FAA call sign for Oklahoma City Approach/Departure Control is Oke City Approach. With no other context most probably assume it is a local term. They fly into dozens and dozens of different airports a year and other than finding it on a chart or riding the shuttle to the layover hotel most have zero interaction with any of the cities they fly to.

https://www.airnav.com/airport/OKC

Did not know, that explains it, thx.

The FAA call sign for Oklahoma City Approach/Departure Control is Oke City Approach. With no other context most probably assume it is a local term. They fly into dozens and dozens of different airports a year and other than finding it on a chart or riding the shuttle to the layover hotel most have zero interaction with any of the cities they fly to.

https://www.airnav.com/airport/OKC

Yep. My dad flew for Continental for 30 years. He always called into 'Oke City' approach/departure, even "Oke City Tower" although "Rogers tower" was adopted at some point.

The FAA call sign for Oklahoma City Approach/Departure Control is Oke City Approach. With no other context most probably assume it is a local term. They fly into dozens and dozens of different airports a year and other than finding it on a chart or riding the shuttle to the layover hotel most have zero interaction with any of the cities they fly to.

https://www.airnav.com/airport/OKC

So I just did some looking around at other city's airport call signs. And I am still not sure why OKC is OKE City. Looking at Denver, it is simply just Denver. Then Dallas is DFW. Love field is Love. Chicago is Chicago.

Am I reading these wrong or are there other cities that also have approach call sign like ours?

I gather that I’m weird for this (among other reasons of course) but I actually like the Oak/Oke City “nickname.” There’s a big development underway called OAK, there’s the Oak Tree Country Club, escarpment live oak’s are native to southwestern Oklahoma. Even though it’s a play on words for Oklahoma City, it fits a natural aspect of the city/state. It reminds me some of the “peach” name to Georgia, especially Atlanta.

So I just did some looking around at other city's airport call signs. And I am still not sure why OKC is OKE City. Looking at Denver, it is simply just Denver. Then Dallas is DFW. Love field is Love. Chicago is Chicago.

Am I reading these wrong or are there other cities that also have approach call sign like ours?

It’s not a “for fun” thing, Oklahoma City is 6 syllables. Most of those examples are 2 and 3 syllables. Oke City reduces it to 3 syllables.

Dallas/Ft Worth is Regional Approach.
Los Angeles/San Diego is SoCal Approach
San Francisco/San Jose is NorCal Approach
Bentonville, AR is Razorback Approach
Colorado Springs is Springs Approach

It’s not a “for fun” thing, Oklahoma City is 6 syllables. Most of those examples are 2 and 3 syllables. Oke City reduces it to 3 syllables.

Dallas/Ft Worth is Regional Approach.
Los Angeles/San Diego is SoCal Approach
San Francisco/San Jose is NorCal Approach
Bentonville, AR is Razorback Approach
Colorado Springs is Springs Approach

Why not simply OKC then?

Lol, must be a very slow news day.

Why not simply OKC then?

Acronyms aren’t used over the radio.

Contact your Congressman to get the FAA to change it since it seems this is such a huge concern to the populace. Lol.

Holt seems to care about the airport's optics a lot. Perhaps bugging him on social media will get him to do some poking.

Also tell him to get flight crews to stop calling it Oak City.. :)

This always sends me into a fit of rage. Every time. And how stupid is this since our airport initials are OKC? How hard is this you dumb pilots? And, aren't a lot of these folks trained here, or is that just the controllers? Either way, one would hope FAA staff would say that referring to OKC as "Oak City" is tantamount to calling San Francisco "Frisco."

Don't do it. Ever. ;)

What if pilots called Dallas "Dally?" or referred to Pittsburgh as "Pitts?" Or "Sandy" for San Diego? I mean, come on, this is bordering on a slur.

And yes, the mayor does care about such things. I mentioned something to him once and he immediately sent my concern to the airport director.

Of all the stupid, asinine things to get upset with. I hope to be as blissful as you guys, to be upset by something this trivial.

This always sends me into a fit of rage. Every time. And how stupid is this since our airport initials are OKC? How hard is this you dumb pilots? And, aren't a lot of these folks trained here, or is that just the controllers? Either way, one would hope FAA staff would say that referring to OKC as "Oak City" is tantamount to calling San Francisco "Frisco."

Don't do it. Ever. ;)

What if pilots called Dallas "Dally?" or referred to Pittsburgh as "Pitts?" Or "Sandy" for San Diego? I mean, come on, this is bordering on a slur.

And yes, the mayor does care about such things. I mentioned something to him once and he immediately sent my concern to the airport director.

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=47390&p=1233248#post1233248

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=47390&p=1233493#post1233493

:lol2:

First World concern/problem if there ever was one

Acronyms aren’t used over the radio.

Contact your Congressman to get the FAA to change it since it seems this is such a huge concern to the populace. Lol.
It is this annoying. I really don’t know why but irrational fears are also a thing. It’s called being a human. Some people are incredibly annoyed at things you couldn’t think twice about. I rarely fly unless I have to but when I hear Oak City it makes a bit irritated. Not enough to make a federal out of. But enough to go on a development forum to bitch about it.

I have family members in Duncan that either call it Oak City or The City. I’m sure plenty of others in rural communities do the same.

I noticed that the AA evening flight to PHX is now a mainline A319. That is a welcomed upgrade.

I noticed that the AA evening flight to PHX is now a mainline A319. That is a welcomed upgrade.

Went from 3 daily departures to 2. AA also dropped one of their 3 Chicago flights (but no mainline upgrade). That being said, AA added another LGA flight to make it 3 total (2 on AA, 1 on Delta).

1 step forward, 2 steps back. Glad to see OKC is still on the forefront of airlines minds when it comes to cutting flights.

Went from 3 daily departures to 2. AA also dropped one of their 3 Chicago flights (but no mainline upgrade). That being said, AA added another LGA flight to make it 3 total (2 on AA, 1 on Delta).

They are running 3x a day to PHX in October when I am going, so curious as why it's only 2 now

1 step forward, 2 steps back. Glad to see OKC is still on the forefront of airlines minds when it comes to cutting flights.

how do you even wake up in the morning lol

how do you even wake up in the morning lol

Just want to see OKC improve, and in so many ways, they move backwards or are stagnant. The airport is one of them.