OKC/Will Rogers Air Service Discussion

[SkyWestOKC]

Actually, when the new rental car site is built on 54th and Meridian, they plan to turn the lower 2-story garage lot (what is now rental car ready/return) into short term parking, and have a valet lane and parking installed.

[SkyWestOKC]

Released today.

Less than impressive numbers across the board.

[SkyWestOKC]

http://flyokc.com/releases%5CJuly%2010%20Activity.pdf

[SkyWestOKC]

This will be the company doing the new WRWA Website: http://www.funneldesigngroup.com/

[swilki]

This will be the company doing the new WRWA Website: http://www.funneldesigngroup.com/

hopefully the new WRWA Website won't come with such "wonderful" music as well as be flash based.

[OUman]

^It won't, airport websites do not have music lol. Appatrently this is the same company that made the posters "Pardon Our Dust" and other ones during the terminal expansion. Should be interesting to see what they come up with. For one thing, I would like to see the site updated regularly. Airlines that do not serve the airport now should be taken off the airport terminal map and some other stuff needs to be updated. Maybe have a map that shows the nonstops from OKC.

[SkyWestOKC]

I think we'll see lots of improvement in the website. This company is local and will want to do a good job.

[Luke]

Frontier had seasonal OKC/TPA nonstops for a few months (April, May, June... or so)... any word on whether or not those will be brought back for winter? Or anytime?

What about any nonstops from OKC to anywhere MCO?

Also, Allegiant keeps adding airports... any chance OKC can get on that list?

[SkyWestOKC]

So far I'd rate the Frontier TPA n/s returning as a 5%. Frontier MCO as a 15%.

Allegiant does Heavy MRO work with AAR at OKC. I don't see any reason OKC wouldn't get service, but the Allegiant trend as of late has been towns. (10-15k people).

[Luke]

So far I'd rate the Frontier TPA n/s returning as a 5%. Frontier MCO as a 15%.

Allegiant does Heavy MRO work with AAR at OKC. I don't see any reason OKC wouldn't get service, but the Allegiant trend as of late has been towns. (10-15k people).

Look at Allegiant's route map, they have a huge gap in Oklahoma and Texas. Here's hopin' for Tulsa, Lawton or Enid or something...

[OUman]

Allegiant is a niche airline. It essentially connects underserved markets with enough demand to popular tourist/business destinations, which is why you'll see its hubs are located at airports like LAX, LAS and MCO. Additionally, like Skywest said, Allegiant's focus these days is on small cities and towns with population generally less than 50,000, and where there are mainly a handful of small commuter jets/props from feeder lines. The airline does not like to fly when demand does not justify it; thus there are many cities with just twice or thrice-weekly service. Also, many of its markets, especially ones in the northern states get seasonal service only in the winter months when people want to escape the winter for some time and head to warmer destinations-Orlando, Phoenix, Las Vegas sound familiar? The airline will serve large cities when it definitely sees enough demand to make a profit, since it is operating old MD 80s which require more fuel. Basically, Allegiant will not go where the money is not there. It's philosophy is very different than that of other carriers, and it has a very strict leeway on allowing loss-making routes to continue.

[ljbab728]

People may forget that Allegiant did fly into OKC a few years ago but pulled out. I think they were here less than a year. I seem to remember statements made that they were here to stay when they started.

[SkyWestOKC]

Would like to add that our Delta mainline has been extended to 28FEB2011 in the schedule (end of schedule).

On a slightly related note, Omaha-Orlando on Frontier was given the "all clear" to recontinue this winter/spring. Also, they announced Omaha-San Diego, CA Los Angeles, and St. Petersburg, FL (moving the Tampa flight to St. Petersburg).

We will know for sure within a few weeks if this was the nail in the coffin for OKC-Orlando. The OKC-Florida routes were announced two weeks before the Omaha-Florida mirror routes were announced. So using the same logic, if OKC doesn't get a similar announcement or even a "continue" for the Orlando service. We can go ahead and say it is done for. My fingers are still crossed but I am thinking it won't return.

[HOT ROD]

who is "they"?

[SkyWestOKC]

Frontier, I mentioned that in my post.

[cjohnson.405]

Just my opinion but - Passenger numbers and service won't improve until there are more traveling business passengers. It's kind of funny listening to the Delta/American gate agents start the passenger load by calling out Priority and Platinum passengers and no one walks up. In cities with a healthy business environment, 1/5 of the plane is filled with these frequent travelers.

And this state is so business poor that it will take a stunning attitude and knowledge turnaround from our mayor and governor's office to change anything. Frankly, they just don't get what it takes to make the turnaround.

[bluedogok]

It depends on the time of day/week, I know the old TWA 5:50am flight to St. Louis on Monday mornings was about half full of fellow employees headed elsewhere. As much business as we have based here in Austin I haven't seen that many frequent flyers but then I am not traveling on Monday mornings much anymore nor am I on the "nerd bird" flights to San Jose. The only places that I see a bunch of them are at the major hubs like DFW.

[ljbab728]

Just my opinion but - Passenger numbers and service won't improve until there are more traveling business passengers. It's kind of funny listening to the Delta/American gate agents start the passenger load by calling out Priority and Platinum passengers and no one walks up. In cities with a healthy business environment, 1/5 of the plane is filled with these frequent travelers.

And this state is so business poor that it will take a stunning attitude and knowledge turnaround from our mayor and governor's office to change anything. Frankly, they just don't get what it takes to make the turnaround.

I don't want to change this into a politcal thread and I know our leaders aren't perfect but I keep hearing about how our state and city are faring much better than most of the rest of the nation right now so we evidently aren't doing everything wrong.

[HOT ROD]

Just my opinion but - Passenger numbers and service won't improve until there are more traveling business passengers. It's kind of funny listening to the Delta/American gate agents start the passenger load by calling out Priority and Platinum passengers and no one walks up. In cities with a healthy business environment, 1/5 of the plane is filled with these frequent travelers.

And this state is so business poor that it will take a stunning attitude and knowledge turnaround from our mayor and governor's office to change anything. Frankly, they just don't get what it takes to make the turnaround.

it's the same case here in Seattle - on several flights I have taken recently. I had no trouble getting my complementary first class upgrades on United - nobody had paid for those seats.

I also hear that airlines are removing first class options more and more - so it isn't just an OKC thing. ... Jeez, some of you people really need to get out.

[LakeEffect]

it's the same case here in Seattle - on several flights I have taken recently. I had no trouble getting my complementary first class upgrades on United - nobody had paid for those seats.

I also hear that airlines are removing first class options more and more - so it isn't just an OKC thing. ... Jeez, some of you people really need to get out.

Actually, I heard the opposite recently. Delta is adding first class to nearly all of its regional jets, and many airlines are actually seeking to retire RJs and return to mainline jets. I think I read this on an ATA (Air Transport Association) Smart Brief email. But I do agree that it's not an OKC thing. Business travel took a huge hit in the recession, and is just now coming back.

[OKCTalker]

On the subject of the on-airport shuttle service, number me among the "greatly dissatisfied" customers. We arrived last night at 11:30 p.m., presented the driver with our slip indicating the location of our car (lot number, shelter number and row). He dropped the entire shuttle-load of passengers (10 +/-) at one spot in the NE lot. Although it was late, dark, and I was a little disoriented, I knew that 1) we were in the wrong lot; and 2) it was statistically impossible for a dozen passengers to have parked on the same row. I protested, he waved the slip of paper at me, and then drove off. We boarded the next shuttle bus, but by this time we were seething, lost, with no paper identifying where any of us had parked. Over the radio, the other driver said he was going home, and mentioned something about "rats abandoning a sinking ship." Classy. Very classy.

If WRWA is going to offer this service -either internally or through contract - they need to monitor it better. Now for my email to Karen Carney.

[Richard at Remax]

about 3/4 times I use the shuttle it is not a pleasant experience. the last time on my way out I ran to another pick up spot away from my car so I could catch the shuttle before it left the lot. on my way to my car afew days later I told him to stop at the shelter right by my car but argued with me that it wasnt the right one and pointed to the slip. so I had to walk, in the rain, way back to my car. but the worst is when you lose your slip. even when you tell them exactly what lot and row you are on and they act all put out and rude. There is a young driver who is real nice and legit but the older ones are the bad ones.

[Lauri101]

I gotta' chime in here for a bit of counterpoint. I travel at least one week a month and always use the on-airport shuttle. The drivers get paid diddly and rely on tips. I have been on the shuttle to lot 3, covered parking, where "suits" get dropped off, wait for driver to haul out the luggage and the driver never gets a thank you, much less a couple of bucks.
I have my dollar bills showing and get taken to my car, luggage is put in trunk and they are always extra nice.

How you treat people comes back to you - good or bad. Just sayin'

[cjohnson.405]

Jeez, some of you people really need to get out.

As it happens, I do get out. I average 3 legs a week coast to coast and probably have an informed viewpoint.

[Rover]

Just my opinion but - Passenger numbers and service won't improve until there are more traveling business passengers. It's kind of funny listening to the Delta/American gate agents start the passenger load by calling out Priority and Platinum passengers and no one walks up. In cities with a healthy business environment, 1/5 of the plane is filled with these frequent travelers.

And this state is so business poor that it will take a stunning attitude and knowledge turnaround from our mayor and governor's office to change anything. Frankly, they just don't get what it takes to make the turnaround.

This isn't a political thing, even though you obviously have an ax to grind or a bias. It is a population thing and a hub thing. I also travel multiple times a week both nationally and some internationally and my informed observation is that bigger cities and those with hubs have busier airports...imagine that. And the more large companies that base there the more their people travel as priority and those visiting them travel as priority. Isn't it amazing. That seems to be true around the world whether the mayors are communists or dictators.