Omaha Eppley Airfield - DISCUSSION

[Louie]

Kinda squeezes the entrance to the terminal for cars.

[Bearcat06]

I believe the north concourse expansion and CUP are going to be right away- the terminal expansion and renovations will be shortly behind with those two projects completed within 5 years (former sooner than 5 years, latter by the end of 5 years). Conservative passenger growth projections seem to agree. The elimination and expansion of south concourse and the final extension of the north will be at the 7 million mark or outside 5 years, closer to 7-10.

You see Delta added LAX? Starts November

I'm curious to see how this expansion happens without some loss in service during construction. Based upon the proposal picture your going to lose gates at least on the ends between the current concourses. Though I'm sure a couple airlines could share gates for a bit. If you lose some service due to construction, does that count against your numbers that you're trying to hit for complete renovations?

I would agree, if you're going to expand, why not do it all at once. Otherwise, if your waiting on the the numbers fame we're going to be in 10-15 years of construction purgatory. Add to that the assumption that you use certain tile/carpeting, things like that in year 3 and you're trying to match that in year 15, those items may not be available so you're either mismatched or you're tearing out all the old stuff to get everything to match. In my experience, trying to piecemeal stuff together and going cheaper early on often ends up costing more in the long run. Maybe I'm just biased and would like something newer and nicer sooner rather than later though.

[Ryan Air]

I believe the north concourse expansion and CUP are going to be right away- the terminal expansion and renovations will be shortly behind with those two projects completed within 5 years (former sooner than 5 years, latter by the end of 5 years). Conservative passenger growth projections seem to agree. The elimination and expansion of south concourse and the final extension of the north will be at the 7 million mark or outside 5 years, closer to 7-10.

You see Delta added LAX? Starts November

I'm curious to see how this expansion happens without some loss in service during construction. Based upon the proposal picture your going to lose gates at least on the ends between the current concourses. Though I'm sure a couple airlines could share gates for a bit. If you lose some service due to construction, does that count against your numbers that you're trying to hit for complete renovations?

I would agree, if you're going to expand, why not do it all at once. Otherwise, if your waiting on the the numbers fame we're going to be in 10-15 years of construction purgatory. Add to that the assumption that you use certain tile/carpeting, things like that in year 3 and you're trying to match that in year 15, those items may not be available so you're either mismatched or you're tearing out all the old stuff to get everything to match. In my experience, trying to piecemeal stuff together and going cheaper early on often ends up costing more in the long run. Maybe I'm just biased and would like something newer and nicer sooner rather than later though.

They’ll be able to do it without service disruption. Gate assignments will change- you may even see temporary stair gates. I’ve gone through airports expanding that were significantly larger and also about our size. Reno rings a bell with a temporary tough shed-like building for ticketing while they expanded the terminal. Midway was a mess, but service was actually expanding while under construction. OKC, SMF, LGA been through them all during major expansion. Yes, it’s annoying- but if you follow signs and give yourself time, it’s not too bad.

[SunMan]

Phase 1 (green) and phase 2 (blue) have to be done separately. Phase 2 will be built where the existing utility plant is. That has to wait until the new utility plant is built along with the north concourse in phase 1.

[Bearcat06]

I saw KETV was advertising a story they're doing on Eppley tonight about the remodel. I'm sure it will mostly be a rehash of what's already know.

[Bob from Omaha]

Paywall is gone on owh story.

[Bearcat06]

Per the KETV story, speaking with Steve McCoy, the current plan is to have the terminal modification completed within 3-4 years. Eppley is apparently aspiring to have growth like Austin and Nashville did last year. They also shared this snapshot.

[Bob from Omaha]

Per the KETV story, speaking with Steve McCoy, the current plan is to have the terminal modification completed within 3-4 years. Eppley is apparently aspiring to have growth like Austin and Nashville did last year. They also shared this snapshot.

The graphic is from the Eppley web site. It's from the powerpoint presentation on the terminal development program page.

If they want Eppley to grow like Austin & Nashville Omaha is going to have to actually grow like Austin & Nashville.

[Bearcat06]

Per the KETV story, speaking with Steve McCoy, the current plan is to have the terminal modification completed within 3-4 years. Eppley is apparently aspiring to have growth like Austin and Nashville did last year. They also shared this snapshot.

The graphic is from the Eppley web site. It's from the powerpoint presentation on the terminal development program page.

If they want Eppley to grow like Austin & Nashville Omaha is going to have to actually grow like Austin & Nashville.

Duly noted re: the graphic.

Here's a link to the KETV story if anyone is interested.

http://ketv.com/article/major-upgrades- ... 90?src=app

[ita]

Per the KETV story, speaking with Steve McCoy, the current plan is to have the terminal modification completed within 3-4 years. Eppley is apparently aspiring to have growth like Austin and Nashville did last year. They also shared this snapshot.

The graphic is from the Eppley web site. It's from the powerpoint presentation on the terminal development program page.

If they want Eppley to grow like Austin & Nashville Omaha is going to have to actually grow like Austin & Nashville.

Duly noted re: the graphic.

Here's a link to the KETV story if anyone is interested.

http://ketv.com/article/major-upgrades- ... 90?src=app

Thanks for sharing. Two things stood out to me that shows Eppley's administration is keyed into what passengers want and how they can improve the experience, 1) they are keen on this reno/expansion including more post-security, centralized concessions and 2) they know the airport can set expectations for the rest of the City as for many visiting it is the gateway to greater Omaha.

Concerning the growth comparison with Austin and Nashville, 12-13% not beyond reach considering growth was just under 10%. We haven't been experiencing the explosive growth in population that those areas have, so it would be interesting to determine why Eppley had such a standout year last year. Are Omahans just flying more? Is Eppley taking more business away from Lincoln? More people visiting or travelling for business?

[Bob from Omaha]

Thanks for sharing. Two things stood out to me that shows Eppley's administration is keyed into what passengers want and how they can improve the experience, 1) they are keen on this reno/expansion including more post-security, centralized concessions and 2) they know the airport can set expectations for the rest of the City as for many visiting it is the gateway to greater Omaha.

Concerning the growth comparison with Austin and Nashville, 12-13% not beyond reach considering growth was just under 10%. We haven't been experiencing the explosive growth in population that those areas have, so it would be interesting to determine why Eppley had such a standout year last year. Are Omahans just flying more? Is Eppley taking more business away from Lincoln? More people visiting or travelling for business?

As far as growth over the past 5 years or so:
The easy answer is that success breeds success. Eppley added destinations and experienced lower fares thus there could have been demand that was "released". I would be curious to know how many passengers that were driving to Kansas City cut back or discontinued that altogether. Also, the economy grew and consumers had more disposable cash to travel, businesses grew and expanded. I do feel that at some point Eppley could, read that again-could, reach a plateau. Omaha is growing but nowhere near Austin and Nashville. I don't want to sound like a downer or negative but is it really possible for Eppley to grow at a 10% clip?

With regard to Lincoln, my opinion is that the Lincoln Airport reached bottom in the last couple of years. There is a certain number of passengers that Lincoln will serve regardless and then there is an additional number that would possibly use Lincoln if the fares, flights were right. Lincoln isn't really Omaha's biggest out of town feeder. Omaha's catchment area is, I believe, about 150 miles radius, plus a few outside of that.

I'm sure there are some here who know more about this than me. The above are my opinions.

[ita]

Thanks for sharing. Two things stood out to me that shows Eppley's administration is keyed into what passengers want and how they can improve the experience, 1) they are keen on this reno/expansion including more post-security, centralized concessions and 2) they know the airport can set expectations for the rest of the City as for many visiting it is the gateway to greater Omaha.

Concerning the growth comparison with Austin and Nashville, 12-13% not beyond reach considering growth was just under 10%. We haven't been experiencing the explosive growth in population that those areas have, so it would be interesting to determine why Eppley had such a standout year last year. Are Omahans just flying more? Is Eppley taking more business away from Lincoln? More people visiting or travelling for business?

As far as growth over the past 5 years or so:
The easy answer is that success breeds success. Eppley added destinations and experienced lower fares thus there could have been demand that was "released". I would be curious to know how many passengers that were driving to Kansas City cut back or discontinued that altogether. Also, the economy grew and consumers had more disposable cash to travel, businesses grew and expanded. I do feel that at some point Eppley could, read that again-could, reach a plateau. Omaha is growing but nowhere near Austin and Nashville. I don't want to sound like a downer or negative but is it really possible for Eppley to grow at a 10% clip?

With regard to Lincoln, my opinion is that the Lincoln Airport reached bottom in the last couple of years. There is a certain number of passengers that Lincoln will serve regardless and then there is an additional number that would possibly use Lincoln if the fares, flights were right. Lincoln isn't really Omaha's biggest out of town feeder. Omaha's catchment area is, I believe, about 150 miles radius, plus a few outside of that.

I'm sure there are some here who know more about this than me. The above are my opinions.

I see your points and appreciate the input. The greater economy and airline business has been booming generally in the last few years. You are right though, that Omaha serves more than just the Metro and Lincoln. I forget about places like Grand Island, Sioux City, possibly Hastings, and smaller cities within a couple hours drive, including western Iowa, that probably come into Eppley for flights. If we say 150 miles, are there Des Moines-ians coming to Eppley?

[Uffda]

I see your points and appreciate the input. The greater economy and airline business has been booming generally in the last few years. You are right though, that Omaha serves more than just the Metro and Lincoln. I forget about places like Grand Island, Sioux City, possibly Hastings, and smaller cities within a couple hours drive, including western Iowa, that probably come into Eppley for flights. If we say 150 miles, are there Des Moines-ians coming to Eppley?

I know there are people from Sioux Falls (180 miles) area who drive to Eppley to catch flights out

[joleo]

We have spoke about Air Canada quite a bit.

April, flights were not scheduled on 2 of the days. Out of 28 scheduled departures from Eppley, 1 day was canceled, April 5th.

Note, so far in May, zero cancellations and flights have been scheduled for every day.

We should know the loads pretty soon as soon as April numbers are released, April is going to be better for sure, not where it needs to be I would guess.

Still no sign of a United Codeshare even though Air Canada places United's codes on almost every other trans-border flight! This is what this flight needs to become much healthier in my opinion!

[Iowafan8]

https://www.omaha.com/money/delta-addin ... c5c10.html

https://news.delta.com/delta-launch-los ... ember-2019

[Bob from Omaha]

Well, it's the 20th of the month. Eppley staff has had a chance to get out the ol' abacus, the green eye shade and the #2 pencil. Time to post the numbers for April for the dozen or so geeks who give a c.r.a.p. about such things.

Hey, Eppley Lurkers! How about posting an update on your facebook page or the Eppley web site? I understand it would take some time away from posting pictures and fun items on your facebook page and for the most part only the above-mentioned dozen or so geeks care but still, feed the geeks.

While we're at it, and not as much for the Eppley lurkers though they are welcome to join in, my latest list of fill in destinations for OMA:
Boston
JFK
Dulles
BWI
Ft. Lauderdale
Tampa
New Orleans
Austin
San Antonio
Albuquerque

Cancun
Puerto Valarta
Cabo San Lucas

[damonhynes]

Well, it's the 20th of the month. Eppley staff has had a chance to get out the ol' abacus, the green eye shade and the #2 pencil. Time to post the numbers for April for the dozen or so geeks who give a c.r.a.p. about such things.

Hey, Eppley Lurkers! How about posting an update on your facebook page or the Eppley web site? I understand it would take some time away from posting pictures and fun items on your facebook page and for the most part only the above-mentioned dozen or so geeks care but still, feed the geeks.

While we're at it, and not as much for the Eppley lurkers though they are welcome to join in, my latest list of fill in destinations for OMA:
Boston
JFK
Dulles
BWI
Ft. Lauderdale
Tampa
New Orleans
Austin
San Antonio
Albuquerque

Cancun
Puerto Valarta
Cabo San Lucas

I'd be pleased to see Raleigh/Durham. I'd like to see AA do mainline to Charlotte and Philadelphia. And Delta could lay on a few A220s and I wouldn't mind.

[Mr.Nuke]

April up 2.9% just like March. YTD remains up to 2.9% as well.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

[joleo]

April number are finally out after a long delay compared to other airports I follow.

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

Up 2.9%

Air Canada: 46.4% Load Factor based off 27 flights. Still bad. I was hoping for Mid-50's.

Frontier is down big, it will continue to be down for a long time. No San Antonio, Austin or San Francisco. Philly is back, only 2 days a week vs 3 or 4 days a week last year. Denver is operating less days per week as well this summer.

On a positive note, American loaded Miami for next winter so it is coming back!! Starts just before Christmas. 6:30am departure instead of 5:30am last year. This means less connections in Miami but it also means the flight time is more bearable!

[Ryan Air]

April up 2.9% just like March. YTD remains up to 2.9% as well.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

Good steady growth with busiest months ahead. Only concerning number to me is Allegiant- so many people taking that sh$!box carrier.

[ita]

April up 2.9% just like March. YTD remains up to 2.9% as well.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

Good steady growth with busiest months ahead. Only concerning number to me is Allegiant- so many people taking that sh$!box carrier.

It has been consistent. With much more suppressed growth compared to the last few years, is this something happening regionally/nationally? These are the numbers from last year for competing/regional airports from the OWH article:

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.

With our current growth, we would be at the bottom.

[Bob from Omaha]

I'm curious if it stays at 2-3% increases if they'll hold off or back off of the renovation of the terminal. Or maybe rethink the renovation on some smaller scale. Just wondering. Now, back to my horse...

Austin and San Antonio sure didn't last long.

[ita]

I'm curious if it stays at 2-3% increases if they'll hold off or back off of the renovation of the terminal. Or maybe rethink the renovation on some smaller scale. Just wondering. Now, back to my horse...

Austin and San Antonio sure didn't last long.

According to the most recent article is sounds like they have "off-ramps" built into the plan. If we have another banner year, we easily trigger the 5.4 million Pal 2 requirement, but it doesn't look like we will have that kind of growth again. In any case, under Pal 1, we are supposed to get the north concourse extension. However, it sounds like that is being bundled with the main terminal extension and renovation that is only triggered under Pal 2. Is that right?

Honestly though, I do not think the Pal's passenger requirement should be so stringent. If they refuse to renovate and improve the amenities and facilities, I think that will lead to more stagnation in passenger growth.

[ScrattyB]

If they refuse to renovate and improve the amenities and facilities, I think that will lead to more stagnation in passenger growth.

They have renovated and improved facilities.

[Omaha Cowboy]

April up 2.9% just like March. YTD remains up to 2.9% as well.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

Good steady growth with busiest months ahead.

This is key. The busiest months are ahead. Omaha just came off a record breaking year. The encore is never easy..

Eppley will be just fine...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Bob from Omaha]

If they refuse to renovate and improve the amenities and facilities, I think that will lead to more stagnation in passenger growth.

I'm not sure failure to renovate and improve facilities could lead to more stagnation. The current layout seems to be able to support a bit more growth. Eppley still has a couple of vacant gates and my guess is that some of the assigned ones are used just a few times a day. If need be they could repurpose some of the lesser used gates to a shared situation. I think most of the region's passengers are probably more interested in fares and non stop destination. Now, having said that what they are proposing appears as of now like it may have more amenities and the ability to add gates as needed.

I'd like Nuke's take on this year's growth and lesser rate thereof

[Cermak]

New parking garage is looking sharp, very impressive. As is the new ultra modern car rental facility.

[ScrattyB]

I'd like Nuke's take on this year's growth and lesser rate thereof

I'm still waiting for your answer from a couple weeks ago about the 737 MAX.

[Bearcat06]

April up 2.9% just like March. YTD remains up to 2.9% as well.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

Good steady growth with busiest months ahead.

This is key. The busiest months are ahead. Omaha just came off a record breaking year. The encore is never easy..

Eppley will be just fine...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Okay so went down a rabbit hole with numbers this morning. Obviously growth is down this year. So far, compared to the 3 year average (which I pegged at about 6.55% from 2016-2018 based on prior posts) this year is down approximately 2.58% in growth. Based upon last year's exceptional year the average is down about 6.3% in growth.

Should these numbers hold true through the end of the year, it would appear the potential growth this year would be about 5.47% (totaling 5,319,274 passengers) based on the 3 year average and 3.07% (totaling 5,197,852 passengers) based on the difference 2018 to 2019. Splitting the two gets you 4.27% growth totaling 5,258,538. (Anyone want to place a bet two steps onto the Iowa side of the Bob Kerry Bridge?)

I really don't want to dig into the 10-year average because it would appear even with the superhuman years from 16-18, the average from 09-18 was a dismal 1.52% growth. Silver lining is 2019 is ahead of the 10-year average to so far.

Unless something phenomenal happens over the summer, I'm thinking 5.4 million isn't likely until 2020 or 2021. But, assuming the normal construction approval time frames and such, they likely wouldn't start anything major until then anyway.

[Spatial77]

I was in Omaha last year for a job interview and it struck me that Eppley has the prettiest cell phone waiting lot of any airport I have seen! The large trees and lake view make it almost pastoral even though it sits right next to the airport. I think I could actually enjoy sitting there waiting on someone’s delayed flight to get in.

[SunMan]

The current Air Canada timetable says the Omaha-Toronto flight will end June 15. Sometimes these timetables will state a flight is ending and another one is beginning at a different time. Not so in this case.

[Mr.Nuke]

The current Air Canada timetable says the Omaha-Toronto flight will end June 15. Sometimes these timetables will state a flight is ending and another one is beginning at a different time. Not so in this case.

It is something to watch for sure, but as of right now it is still bookable beyond the 15th, which normally you wouldn't expect if the route is being pulled (even temporarily i.e. the Southwest LA flight). We'll see if anything pops on the airliners.net OAG thread on Sunday.

[joleo]

The current Air Canada timetable says the Omaha-Toronto flight will end June 15. Sometimes these timetables will state a flight is ending and another one is beginning at a different time. Not so in this case.

I noticed that too awhile back, it isn't accurate though, flights are bookable into 2020 already still.

Note, I'm flying the route Friday to Montreal, I'll report back on here next week!

[Bob from Omaha]

I was in Omaha last year for a job interview and it struck me that Eppley has the prettiest cell phone waiting lot of any airport I have seen! The large trees and lake view make it almost pastoral even though it sits right next to the airport. I think I could actually enjoy sitting there waiting on someone’s delayed flight to get in.

Reading this reminded me of an incident a couple of weeks ago. I was waiting in one of the cel phone lots at Detroit Metro Airport. It is what it is. A parking lot. No trees or lake view. Also no bathrooms. After a few minutes I notice the driver of the car next to me gets out and just kind of stands there between his car and mine. After a minute he gets back in. A few minutes later he does it again. I roll down the window and ask if he's ok. He casually says "Yeah. They need to put some bathrooms here. Don't worry. I missed your car".
As they say around here "That's how we do it in the D"

[skinzfan23]

Reading this reminded me of an incident a couple of weeks ago. I was waiting in one of the cel phone lots at Detroit Metro Airport. It is what it is. A parking lot. No trees or lake view. Also no bathrooms. After a few minutes I notice the driver of the car next to me gets out and just kind of stands there between his car and mine. After a minute he gets back in. A few minutes later he does it again. I roll down the window and ask if he's ok. He casually says "Yeah. They need to put some bathrooms here. Don't worry. I missed your car".
As they say around here "That's how we do it in the D"

[joleo]

The current Air Canada timetable says the Omaha-Toronto flight will end June 15. Sometimes these timetables will state a flight is ending and another one is beginning at a different time. Not so in this case.

I noticed that too awhile back, it isn't accurate though, flights are bookable into 2020 already still.

Note, I'm flying the route Friday to Montreal, I'll report back on here next week!

So took Air Canada Friday the 31st, returning June 3rd, through Toronto to Montreal.
-All 4 flights were on time
-OMA-Toronto, 36 passengers out of 50 seats (72% LF)
-Toronto-OMA 49 seats full out of 50 seats (98% LF)
-Toronto Airport, no bathrooms until after clearing customs (15 minutes maybe with a long walk!) Go the bathroom before you leave the plane.
-Toronto main terminal is very nice and not crowded like US Airports! The Regional Jet terminal that Omaha flight leaves from is nothing special but they were doing construction so maybe building a new terminal to replace it looks like.
-Montreal was the least busy big airport I've seen! It is just HUGE for only 19 million passengers so it spreads everything out.
-Going through US Pre-Clearance Customs on way home was a breeze and is awesome! Way better than US Airport where the dump you out and you have to go through the same security line as everybody else. I'm going to try and do this Toronto thing every time I go to Europe if possible!
-Both flights seemed to have lots of passengers connecting to Europe on them. Prague, Frankfurt, Paris, London, Switzerland on the conversations I overheard.
-I probably was able to see about a dozen passports in hands. On the way out, 100% were US Passports (Omaha Passengers). On way back I probably got to see 20 of the passports, I saw 2 Canada passports, the rest USA.
-On way out, they didn't charge anybody for beer like they were supposed to, sweet!
-Air Canada Employees in Omaha were great, very professional. They had 3 above wing and 4 below wing employees working the flight. Seems like a ton of people! They could get by with 2 above and 3 below in my mind. Does anybody know what these employees do when they are not working the Air Canada flight? Do they work other airlines? I was gonna ask but forgot!

I think that's about it?!?

[SunMan]

That is great to hear, Joleo. I was hoping we could hold on to this flight. It sounds like we will. Thanks for the update!

[joleo]

That is great to hear, Joleo. I was hoping we could hold on to this flight. It sounds like we will. Thanks for the update!

I didn't include my ticket was only $250 roundtrip to Montreal so I don't think the fares are where they need to be to make money! And there were 2 of us on the flight for $250 each.

It will be interesting to see June numbers, I think they will be much higher but a flight can't make money only 1-2 months per year!

[Mr.Nuke]

May up 2.5% over May of 2018, and 2.8% year-to-date.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

Not a whole lot of surprises in there. AC being down in the first month that we start getting year-over-year comparisons is slightly disappointing although load factors were probably higher than May of 2018 as they ran 2 flights on a couple of days last year during Berkshire Hathaway.

[Bob from Omaha]

May up 2.5% over May of 2018, and 2.8% year-to-date.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

Not a whole lot of surprises in there. AC being down in the first month that we start getting year-over-year comparisons is slightly disappointing although load factors were probably higher than May of 2018 as they ran 2 flights on a couple of days last year during Berkshire Hathaway.

Frontier mad at Omaha? Drop destinations?