Omaha Eppley Airfield - DISCUSSION

[Bob from Omaha]

I messaged Eppley's facebook page on January 16th about letting the world know about the record pax counts. I even offered to provide them with phone numbers at the local media. No response though I know that someone read it.

Not one thing on twitter, nothing in the owh, nothing on the web page, not even an update on the web page changing the passengers served from 2017 to 2018. Nothing for quite a few months about possible terminal renovations/expansion.

For crying out loud, Eppley Lurkers, are you ashamed of breaking the record? Has the word come down from somewhere not to contact the media? Do you not want to hurt Lincoln Airport's feelings? The lincoln paper has a story about LNK hiring a consultant regarding renovations to their terminal.
Has the budget been cut for someone...anyone...to do marketing and promotion? Hire a freakin intern if you have to.

Once and for all, Eppley IS the front door for now FIVE MILLION PEOPLE. It is an economic powerhouse, bringing millions if not billions of $ to the local economy. Act like it. Have a plan to continue the phenomenal growth. Share it with the citizens. It really isn't that hard to put out a press release, make someone available for an interview, contact the media, contact the Chamber of Commerce, etc. The airport isn't that different from running a business. When we had good news at our companies we did everything we could and never turned down an interview.

This honestly doesn't make sense....it's just stupid and amateurish. That time has long since passed. It's time to grow up and be the big time airport that Eppley has become. Consider this a threat. If I don't see something in the media within a week I will take matters into my own hands and contact the media. Do you really want someone outside the Eppley employee base doing that?

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Eppley lurkers work in mysterious ways.

[ScrattyB]

Consider this a threat. If I don't see something in the media within a week I will take matters into my own hands

Not the smartest thing to post on the internet

[Ryan Air]

Clearly he means when he says “take
matter into my own hands” that he’ll be the one to contact the media and push the stories.

He’s not threatening harm.

Don’t be a cry baby. The airport isn’t doing a good job at public relations - they just recently got a Twitter and Facebook account for Pete’s sake. They should hire Bob.

[SunMan]

I agree with Bob from Omaha. Going over the 5 million mark was a big milestone. Except for us Eppley nerds, nobody knows about it. Eppley should be spreading the news. When the Charleston SC airport went over the 4 million mark for the first time, it was front page in the Charleston newspaper.

[Omaha Cowboy]

It is pretty ridiculous the latest story the local media has reported on Eppley, is the Southwest Airline Jet that slipped off the runway during the past Tuesday’s snow storm..

Oh well, I guess if people really want up to date detail on the happenings at Eppley/OMA, they can always visit the forum and this thread...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Bob from Omaha]

Clearly he means when he says “take
matter into my own hands” that he’ll be the one to contact the media and push the stories.

He’s not threatening harm.

Don’t be a cry baby. The airport isn’t doing a good job at public relations - they just recently got a Twitter and Facebook account for Pete’s sake. They should hire Bob.

They can't afford me. My problem with this kind of thing is that I think like a businessperson. I've been an entrepreneur for over 40 years and I just get angry when this or any other type of business fails to take advantage of an opportunity. In addition, they don't need to hire me. Someone in the organization needs to step up and do their job, even if that's the head of the Airport Authority. Eppley is an asset as well as a quasi public entity. It has a responsibility to maximize it's efforts to provide the highest quality service and products. In terms of service that means a clean, modern, facility. In terms of product that means the maximum amount of flights, to the most destinations possible. Part of that is to attract the most customers and to do that means advertising, marketing, etc. It is frustrating to see the Omaha airport base their entire existence on nothing more than throwing the doors open and hoping people show up. I suppose they do rely on airlines to advertise but think about this: Take any mall, Westroads for example. Yes the stores advertise but the mall does as well. See my point? Good. Now, Eppley lurkers, as I said in my private message, if you need the phone numbers to the media let me know & I'll forward them to you.

[Omaha Cowboy]

At least Eppley/OMA has a decently updated Wikipedia page-

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eppley_Airfield

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Louie]

At least Eppley/OMA has a decently updated Wikipedia page-

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eppley_Airfield

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Was that one of us? Haha

[Omaha Cowboy]

At least Eppley/OMA has a decently updated Wikipedia page-

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eppley_Airfield

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Was that one of us? Haha

That wouldn’t surprise me at all, lol...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Bob from Omaha]

All right then. My plan is to let the owh, ketv, kmtv, wowt, kptm, the lincoln journal star and a couple of other media outlets know that which is evidently a secret or news that isn't thought of as news. I just don't understand what I now consider incompetence and a dereliction of duty. This is not a private corporation where the owners may do or not do whatever they feel. This is a quasi public entity that has a fiduciary responsibility to the voters of Omaha.

[Coyote]

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Maybe they’re just shy

[Mr.Nuke]

All right then. My plan is to let the owh, ketv, kmtv, wowt, kptm, the lincoln journal star and a couple of other media outlets know that which is evidently a secret or news that isn't thought of as news.

You are operating under two assumptions that I'm not sure are accurate. 1) You are assuming they don't know. In the case of the W-H, I have a feeling they do given they ran a story on the Destin flight right before the December numbers came out that had November traffic numbers in it.

The airport has added new nonstop destinations across several airlines as its passenger counts show strong growth: Last year’s figures haven’t been compiled for the full year, but as of the end of November, the airport had logged 9.5 percent growth in passengers over 2017’s figures for the same period.

If it holds for the full year, that kind of increase would beat that of 2017, when Eppley had its biggest-ever year with about 4.6 million passengers, logging a 6 percent increase in passengers from 2016.

https://www.omaha.com/money/allegiant-a ... 174e9.html

Their passenger story last year also wasn't until 1/30.
https://www.omaha.com/money/eppley-airf ... 80104.html

2) That the news care to report this. It really isn't anything more than a 20 second bump story in between stories for a tv station. The World-Herald reporter who had been covering the airport is gone, and best I can tell they're done to just the editor as a full-time reporter. The paper had 3 or 4 local stories on Sunday and a bunch of AP and outside wire filler content. With that in mind, I doubt the guy who gets to write a couple of stories a week is going to write one about something he basically wrote about the day before.

I just don't understand what I now consider incompetence and a dereliction of duty. This is not a private corporation where the owners may do or not do whatever they feel. This is a quasi public entity that has a fiduciary responsibility to the voters of Omaha.

Then basically calling the airport authority incompetent here is also a pretty big one... Something that is uncalled for especially coming off two record years, and when they've been more forthcoming in the past year then they've basically ever been on the terminal expansion. The only two things we arguably should potentially know as a member of the public right now that we do not are who they selected for the staff augmentation (and I really could care less there and I'm a huge Eppley fans as you all know) and who they selected for the design-build. Based on board agenda's I'm not convinced they have on the latter which would be a 3rd question why haven't they if they haven't. And at this point the design contract winner is only out of curiosity to go look at what they've done on other projects.

[Bob from Omaha]

You are operating under two assumptions that I'm not sure are accurate.
1) You are assuming they don't know. In the case of the W-H, I have a feeling they do given they ran a story on the Destin flight right before the December numbers came out that had November traffic numbers in it.


2) That the news care to report this. It really isn't anything more than a 20 second bump story in between stories for a tv station. The World-Herald reporter who had been covering the airport is gone, and best I can tell they're done to just the editor as a full-time reporter. The paper had 3 or 4 local stories on Sunday and a bunch of AP and outside wire filler content. With that in mind, I doubt the guy who gets to write a couple of stories a week is going to write one about something he basically wrote about the day before.


Then basically calling the airport authority incompetent here is also a pretty big one... Something that is uncalled for especially coming off two record years, and when they've been more forthcoming in the past year then they've basically ever been on the terminal expansion. The only two things we arguably should potentially know as a member of the public right now that we do not are who they selected for the staff augmentation (and I really could care less there and I'm a huge Eppley fans as you all know) and who they selected for the design-build. Based on board agenda's I'm not convinced they have on the latter which would be a 3rd question why haven't they if they haven't. And at this point the design contract winner is only out of curiosity to go look at what they've done on other projects.

Let's take these one at a time.

I actually believe that the media doesn't know. They probably got a press release regarding the new Destin service that included November's numbers. Alternatively, they got a press release from Allegiant and actually had the presence of mind to pick up the phone and get a reaction from the airport. Either way, it seems that they were proded into doing a story.

As for Paige Yowell, she's still listed as a reporter on the owh web site. With regard to reporting the record numbers for Eppley, that's my whole point. IF the airport gave a call or even emailed a press release to the owh there isn't much work to do. Copy & paste the press release into the money section.

Saying that my calling the airport authority incompetent is uncalled for, especially coming off two record years, begs the question. Who is responsible for the records? The airport doesn't bribe airlines to bring new service. They specifically don't and are quite proud of it. They open the airport and if you want to bring service they'll let you. I'm sure they are in touch with the airlines as all airport probably are. I fail to see direct actions on the part of the airport that are somehow more than most other airports. The bathrooms are clean, the doors open and close, the runways are clear. Good. Now, put out a press release like DSM, OKC and so many other airports do.

Finally, as to being forthcoming. Why not? Why not let the public know what is going on? As with everything else where is the transparency?

[OmahaJaysCU]

Just thought of this, what if they're waiting because it will be part of a larger story about terminal expansion?

[Mr.Nuke]

I actually believe that the media doesn't know. They probably got a press release regarding the new Destin service that included November's numbers.

This is effectively the press release.

Allegiant announced a new direct flight from Omaha to Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Just in time for summer break, the seasonal service will begin June 7, 2019. The service will operate twice weekly.
To celebrate, the company is offering fares as low as $59 each way.
“We’re very excited to announce this brand-new service from Omaha,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant vice president of planning and revenue. “We’re sure area travelers will appreciate the opportunity to get away to the beautiful Florida Panhandle on these convenient, nonstop, ultra-low-cost flights to enjoy all that the Emerald Coast has to offer.”
“Allegiant’s latest expansion from Eppley Airfield provides Omaha travelers with easy, nonstop access to one of Florida’s beautiful beach destinations.” said Steve McCoy, Eppley Airfield manager of airline affairs. “We’re pleased that Allegiant has recognized the strong travel demand from Omaha to the Florida Panhandle. The white sand beaches of the Destin & Ft. Walton Beach area represent a part of the popular Gulf Coast previously unserved by nonstop flights from Omaha.”

https://www.1011now.com/content/news/Al ... 70031.html

Allegiant Air has introduced a new nonstop flight from Omaha's Eppley Airfield to Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
The new service begins June 7th, Allegiant said in a news release Monday. It will run twice a week and is the sixth service the airline services out of Omaha.
“Allegiant’s latest expansion from Eppley Airfield provides Omaha travelers with easy, nonstop access to one of Florida’s beautiful beach destinations.” said Steve McCoy, Eppley Airfield manager of airline affairs in the release. “We’re pleased that Allegiant has recognized the strong travel demand from Omaha to the Florida Panhandle. The white sand beaches of the Destin & Ft. Walton Beach area represent a part of the popular Gulf Coast previously unserved by nonstop flights from Omaha.”

https://www.ketv.com/article/allegiant- ... a/25902790

Davis uses the same quote in his story, but the fact that neither 10/11 or KETV mention anything about Eppley traffic stats means Davis likely added it.

As for Paige Yowell, she's still listed as a reporter on the owh web site.

Yowell left in August. https://talkingbiznews.com/1/biz-report ... aha-daily/

With regard to reporting the record numbers for Eppley, that's my whole point. IF the airport gave a call or even emailed a press release to the owh there isn't much work to do. Copy & paste the press release into the money section.

Like I said, if go ahead and email Brad Davis on this if you want, but I have a feeling his position right or wrong is going to be he included the November traffic statistics in the Allegiant article. Especially when we’re lucky if we get one or two locally written business-related articles per day right now he isn’t going to basically rehash what he had just written about. We’ll see if they still do an overall end of year/year forward article or not. Last year’s article though 2/3 of it was on what was going to be upcoming with the masterplan. The World Herald also wrote a mid-year article basically to the same effect. There isn’t a lot to report on that front other than potentially who got contracts right now. If there isn’t a 2018 passenger story I assume we’ll likely see an update on progress around the time the parking garage is done.

Finally, as to being forthcoming. Why not? Why not let the public know what is going on? As with everything else where is the transparency?

They are. It is literally right on their website every single month.

[Mr.Nuke]

Just thought of this, what if they're waiting because it will be part of a larger story about terminal expansion?

That's likely part of it, but I think that's also part of the reason there isn't a full story there. The 2018 record breaking passenger story was 1/3 record breaking passengers and 2/3 masterplan terminal expansion. That article was the best glimpse we've had since the 2013 master plan "release" Additionally they did another story at the end of June that basically outlined the same. "Omaha's Eppley Airfield hits another traffic record. Next up: Planning for expansion" Busiest month ever in May, but 2/3 of the article was on near-term improvements and Pal 1 and Pal 2 stuff on the horizon https://www.omaha.com/money/development ... d0fe6.html

There really isn't anything "new" to report on other than potentially knowing who the contractors for PAL1 will be and like I said last night, I'm not sure if they've even been selected yet. So I don't know that the W-H needs to write an article every 6 months that basically says the same thing if they have nothing new to report on (and by the timeline there is probably nothing new), otherwise the passenger numbers while incredibly cool to us aren't really a story in and of itself.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Just thought of this, what if they're waiting because it will be part of a larger story about terminal expansion?

This is what I’m thinking is a possibility as well..

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a larger story in this coming Saturday or Sunday W-H edition...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Coyote]

Omaha's Eppley Airfield among nation's fastest-growing airports. Here's why that matters

[ita]

Omaha's Eppley Airfield among nation's fastest-growing airports. Here's why that matters

Ask and you shall receive. There you go, they were just waiting/working on the article per their previous handling of Eppley's yearly numbers.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Omaha's Eppley Airfield among nation's fastest-growing airports. Here's why that matters

Just as some of us predicted.. A nice Eppley OMA piece in the Saturday W-H ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[skinzfan23]

From the article:

In 2018, the airport handled 5,043,194 passengers, a 9.4 percent increase compared with 2017 figures and Eppley’s fastest growth rate since 1996. That’s a sharper increase than other airports in the region. Consider their 2018 passenger figures:

St. Louis: 15.6 million, 5.9 percent increase.
Kansas City: 11.8 million, 3.4 percent increase.
Des Moines: 2.8 million, 7.6 percent increase.
Wichita: 1.7 million, 2.8 percent increase.
Lincoln: 293,886, 5 percent decrease.


The airport could see 5.4 million passengers this year, the next trigger for the renovation project. Eppley is seeking bids for that phase of the renovation, an overhaul of the terminal — the place where you print out boarding passes, check and pick up luggage. By the end of the year, the public should have a rendering of what the updated Eppley terminal could look like. The $400 million to $500 million project could be complete within five years.

[Bob from Omaha]

Omaha's Eppley Airfield among nation's fastest-growing airports. Here's why that matters

Just as some of us predicted.. A nice Eppley OMA piece in the Saturday W-H ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I didn't read it yet as it's paywalled but I'll check it out when it's released to the unwashed masses.

For those who aren't aware Saturday is the day of the week when newspapers are read the least. No matter.

I'm not sure OMA can hit 5.4M this year. That's a tall order unless current airlines migrate to larger jets, increase frequencies, add new cities, etc., and somehow Jetblue, Spirit or Westjet come to town. Time will tell. If Lincoln closed their airport and turned it into a sports bar that would move the Eppley count higher more quickly.

I'm still holding out hope for upper and lower roads. Hey, lesser airports found a way.

[Bob from Omaha]

Well, what the h e l l,

This year's wish list for new destinations, in no particular order....and I'm assuming San Antonio & Austin could make a comeback...

Boston
JFK
Dulles
BWI
Ft. Lauderdale
Tampa
New Orleans
Memphis

Cancun
Puerto Vallarta
Cabo San Lucas


As I said, it's a wish list. Some on the list more possible than others, some OMA could take or leave but could possibly add good numbers to OMA's current growth.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Well, what the h e l l,

This year's wish list for new destinations, in no particular order....and I'm assuming San Antonio & Austin could make a comeback...

Boston
JFK
Dulles
BWI
Ft. Lauderdale
Tampa
New Orleans
Memphis

Cancun
Puerto Vallarta
Cabo San Lucas


As I said, it's a wish list. Some on the list more possible than others, some OMA could take or leave but could possibly add good numbers to OMA's current growth.

If Omaha added 25% of those on your list as non stop destinations in 2019, I’d be happy.. If OMA added 50%, I’d be turning cartwheels...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Bob from Omaha]

My bet would be on BOS, BWI, maybe trade MIA for FLL. Anything else is a bonus. The truth is Allegiant & Frontier are wild cards. You just never know with those guys.

[Omaha Cowboy]

My bet would be on BOS, BWI, maybe trade MIA for FLL. Anything else is a bonus.

As would Cabo, Puerto Vallarta or Cancun...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[joleo]

Anybody have an update on when the parking garage will be done? When was it originally scheduled to be done and is it running ahead of schedule? All I can find on the Eppley website is 2019. I hope it will be done before Berkshire and the CWS with all the people coming to town! I personally haven't been down there since October!

[Ryan Air]

Anybody have an update on when the parking garage will be done? When was it originally scheduled to be done and is it running ahead of schedule? All I can find on the Eppley website is 2019. I hope it will be done before Berkshire and the CWS with all the people coming to town! I personally haven't been down there since October!

The last I heard was use of new exit gates was March, move-in of rental car facility was April, and public parking was May. That was in December.

[joleo]

Anybody have an update on when the parking garage will be done? When was it originally scheduled to be done and is it running ahead of schedule? All I can find on the Eppley website is 2019. I hope it will be done before Berkshire and the CWS with all the people coming to town! I personally haven't been down there since October!

The last I heard was use of new exit gates was March, move-in of rental car facility was April, and public parking was May. That was in December.

That's a good schedule! Get rental cars done before Berkshire!

I wish there was a webcam on this project!!

[damonhynes]

While it's probably known that sometime near the Labor Day weekend AA will retire their MadDogs on the DFW route; I did an itinerary for the end of September and it shows A319s. So much for 787s...

[Mr.Nuke]

January 2019 up 2.0% over January 2018. Southwest being down 7.5% is something to keep an eye on.


https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

[joleo]

January 2019 up 2.0% over January 2018. Southwest being down 7.5% is something to keep an eye on.


https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

Yeah, southwest down 10,000 passengers! Wow, this is probably an all time record for largest Southwest year over year passenger drop in the history of Southwest serving Omaha. I'd really have to do some digging to see what less flights they flew this January over January 2019. Note, on the fall schedule for 2019, Omaha to Chicago is down to only 4x daily. I've never seen it this low in the fall before. Usually it drops to 5x daily, but not 4x daily.

Note that a few personal stories: Omaha-Phoenix has been expensive on southwest and some of my relatives have been either driving or taking American lately because of that.

Also, a friend's parents that fly Omaha to Chicago every 3-4 weeks on Southwest have been driving lately or taking Megabus because they have said the fares have spiked in the past year on this route. If it is less than $150 roundtrip, they fly, it is is more than $150, they drive. They are flexible on days so that helps but when then used to fly 100% of time, he said they are driving more than 50% of time now because of the prices. Just an observation.

[Bob from Omaha]

January 2019 up 2.0% over January 2018. Southwest being down 7.5% is something to keep an eye on.


https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

I was going to guess that cancelled flights had something to do with it but there can't have been that many. Maybe it was a combination of weather, change in frequencies, dropped routes, etc.? That or OMA has plateaued somewhat in terms of growth?

[ita]

January 2019 up 2.0% over January 2018. Southwest being down 7.5% is something to keep an eye on.


https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

I was going to guess that cancelled flights had something to do with it but there can't have been that many. Maybe it was a combination of weather, change in frequencies, dropped routes, etc.? That or OMA has plateaued somewhat in terms of growth?

You might be onto something. Even if SW didn't decrease 10,000 for the month, we would would still have only sees just under 5% increase.

[Bob from Omaha]

I just checked the Southwest schedules for next week. There appears to be some slippage. Here are the numbers:

City M-F Sat Sun
Chicago 4 4 2
St Louis 2 2 2
Washington 1 1 1
Nashville (hasn't started yet?)
Orlando (seasonal? Nothing)
Dallas 1 1 1
Houston 1 1 1
Denver 3 3 2
Phoenix 3 4 3
Las Vegas 2 2 2
Los Angeles & San Diego nothing

Totals:
M-F 17 flights, Sat 18, Sunday 14. Back in the days when OMA had service to MDW, STL, PHX & LAS it was a solid 15 flights a day total. In the past couple of decades OMA has added service to new cities and at best gained 3 flights? On the route map it shows 12 non stop routes, four of which have no flights next week for various reasons.

Anyway, it's not a great sign that SW had fewer numbers. Gotta be the first time in quite a while.

In other news, Lincoln showed a big increase, percentage-wise.

[Ryan Air]

I fly WN weekly. I go through MDW twice weekly, sometimes STL or DAL. In January alone, I have been canceled 5 times, diverted three times and got into a fight once. I don’t EVER want to talk about January 2019 flying again.

I often fly into Louisville, Indianapolis, and Columbus- all three cities have had reductions on WN too. I can get out of OMA through MDW or STL just fine. But I am having a hard time getting to those destinations at a decent time. Big difference. I am booked the next three trips on Delta (2x) and United. Next week is Evansville, IN and I usually fly WN into Louisville and drive. I couldn’t get in before 5 PM- with huge layovers. I’m flying United into EVV for under $400 and getting there before noon.

[Ryan Air]

By the way... it’s been in the news lately that there are so many WN 737 out of service for maintenance (twice the number daily than planned for) that they are having problems with flight operations. They have a remedy that calls for “strategic temporary reductions”. Never saw anything related to OMA, MDW, CMH, or SDF though - so I don’t know if that has anything to do with my problem.

[Omababe]

Yeah, southwest down 10,000 passengers! Wow, this is probably an all time record for largest Southwest year over year passenger drop in the history of Southwest serving Omaha. I'd really have to do some digging to see what less flights they flew this January over January 2019. Note, on the fall schedule for 2019, Omaha to Chicago is down to only 4x daily. I've never seen it this low in the fall before. Usually it drops to 5x daily, but not 4x daily.

They now have competition from two other airlines (Allegiant and Frontier) for non-stop OMA-LAS flights.

They were the only game in town on that route since the Great Recession when America West quit flying nonstop to LAS.