Omaha Eppley Airfield - DISCUSSION

[ita]

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?

Yeah, their decrease in passenger-ship accounts for a couple percentage points in growth. What's going on? Allegient, the other budget airlines is, thankfully, trending the other way this year. Frontier just keeps dropping.

[Bearcat06]

With May's numbers in my current projection for 2019 over 2018 is growth of 2.49% for a total pax load estimate of 5,168,601. If we use the 3 year average (16-18) for the calculation, it appears an optimistic figure would be a 3.67% increase with a total pax load estimate of 5,228,475.

So far it appears 2019 is shaping up to be the smallest yearly increase since 2015 (1.3% increase that year). While currently posting an increase over 2018's numbers, the growth has obviously slowed and, to date, is down 6.88% in comparison to last year's anomaly and down 2.87% compared to the 3-year average growth. The 2019 growth is still above the 10-year avg of 1.52%. Maybe with all the CWS teams being outside a 500-mile radius of Omaha will help June's numbers? Southwest finally broke out of the red for the first time this year, that could possibly be helpful as well.

[Mr.Nuke]

Frontier mad at Omaha? Drop destinations?

Dropped destinations and reduced frequencies to destinations. This is going to be June over June, but it should be pretty similar to May over May. In June of 2018 Frontier had 76 flights originating in Omaha. 7 to Austin, 26 to Denver, 8 to Las Vegas, 11 to Orlando, 13 to Philadelphia, and 11 to San Francisco.

This June it appears they’re down to 13 to Denver, 8 to Philadelphia, and 9 to Las Vegas for a total of 30 flights.

With May's numbers in my current projection for 2019 over 2018 is growth of 2.49% for a total pax load estimate of 5,168,601. If we use the 3 year average (16-18) for the calculation, it appears an optimistic figure would be a 3.67% increase with a total pax load estimate of 5,228,475.

I don’t follow on where the 3.67% is coming from nor does it really make sense to me to try and over-complicate it. We’ve got numbers for nearly half of the year, as far as we know there isn’t really anything significantly projected year-over-year i.e. new routes and the fact 3 of the 4 largest airlines are capacity constrained due to the MAX grounding at this point that is substantially going to change things. Project off of the 2.49%.

[Omaha Cowboy]

The way I look at the slower growth increase thus far in 2019 is- Last year, OMA set a record for growth. The airport needs some time to digest that..The fact that 2019 numbers are still tracking ahead of 2018’s record pace, is very encouraging to me..

And OMA has still yet to lose Air Canada’s flight, lol. That’s another reason to be happy at this point ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[RockHarbor]

There is major new exciting news I recently saw on Omaha.com about Eppley. I'm surprised it isn't posted here. (????) Imo, new subdivisions and apartment announcements are not as important, but whatever...

I guess I cant depend on this forum for all big news stories. I always thought I could...

[Coyote]

We are sorry to disappoint you. We have other jobs that pay our bills.

[RockHarbor]

Here's the news on Epply (thankfully, it is one of OWH's free articles): https://www.omaha.com/money/plus/coming ... b1a68.html

The minute I posted it...it turned from free to gated. They must have it set-up, so that if you share an article, it becomes instantly gated?

[RockHarbor]

Now, are we allowed to share a link to Omaha.com here? (I thought we couldn't copy and paste an article, but we could share a link.)

[Ryan Air]

Wow! A new parking garage? Next you’ll be telling us there is a new rental car facility too- or preliminary designs for the new terminal are due out this fall.

Just too hard to believe.

[RockHarbor]

Yes! A new parking garage! With around 3,000 spaces. And, a garage that even helps you hunt for a parking space. And, one that will change how you move about the airport. And, side note: Eppley is one of the fastest growing airports in the United States the article points out. That is big sufficient news to share an "Eppley" thread! Isn't it? If not, WHAT NEWS is GOOD ENOUGH news to share HERE, if that ISN'T good enough? HUH?

Oh, go rent at "The Den at Wolf Creek." Bellevue's new address. Sounds like a good address for you.

[Bob from Omaha]

There is major new exciting news I recently saw on Omaha.com about Eppley. I'm surprised it isn't posted here. (????) Imo, new subdivisions and apartment announcements are not as important, but whatever...

I guess I cant depend on this forum for all big news stories. I always thought I could...

Relax. It's been reported years ago about the garage & rental car facility. Don't let others' kidding get you down. Keep sharing news that you think is relevant or interesting. In these days people are quick to put others down or make fun.

[RockHarbor]

There is major new exciting news I recently saw on Omaha.com about Eppley. I'm surprised it isn't posted here. (????) Imo, new subdivisions and apartment announcements are not as important, but whatever...

I guess I cant depend on this forum for all big news stories. I always thought I could...

Relax. It's been reported years ago about the garage & rental car facility. Don't let others' kidding get you down. Keep sharing news that you think is relevant or interesting. In these days people are quick to put others down or make fun.

Thanks. I'm fine. If sharing any level of Eppley news here activates any little bit of meanness, or a smart little mouth towards me, than so be it. I don't care...

[Ryan Air]

There is major new exciting news I recently saw on Omaha.com about Eppley. I'm surprised it isn't posted here. (????) Imo, new subdivisions and apartment announcements are not as important, but whatever...

I guess I cant depend on this forum for all big news stories. I always thought I could...

Relax. It's been reported years ago about the garage & rental car facility. Don't let others' kidding get you down. Keep sharing news that you think is relevant or interesting. In these days people are quick to put others down or make fun.

Thanks. I'm fine. If sharing any level of Eppley news here activates any little bit of meanness, or a smart little mouth towards me, than so be it. I don't care...

No meanness
Covered this ad nauseam throughout the last several pages of thread with pictures to boot.

Only thing new in the article not covered here is the precise turnoff on Abbot Dr for new garage.

Garage connection/new facility/new ParkOMA/ Eppley app and website, Eppley’s numbers and articles of its numbers and national attention, contractors selected, renderings etc... have ALL been covered here. Better than the OWH, I might add.

[Bob from Omaha]

Better than the OWH, I might add.

Let's be fair. Some if not most of the members of this forum actually take an interest in Omaha goings-on.

The OWH has many problems. Let's review:
1) Those who write copy are in all likelihood either underpaid or are unpaid interns who rely on either press releases or this forum for news and information regarding Eppley. They are also doing the work of four or five people who were laid off.
2) Those who edit the paper prior to its printing or posting online have little interest in the quality of the work and have as their main interest making sure that the ads are properly spaced.
3) The paper is owned by Warren. He stated decades ago shortly after acquiring the Buffalo News that non advertising content is not his interest. Ad revenue drives papers. I don't begrudge him a profit but in our day the quality of papers is a ghost of its prior self. He likes or at least used to like local papers because they (used to) have a moat around them and there is nothing like a monopoly.
4) It is my opinion that the owh staff has no interest in diving deeper into a story about Eppley. They aren't geeks and their interest is only to share what little details they need to to get the story out.
5) It is also my opinion that the owh relies on this forum for news way too much. Over the years it sure looked like more than a coincidence that in a very short time after someone here posts on a topic the story appears in the owh. Again, I don't begrudge mining for a story wherever but hey, owh, or what's left of the staff, try doing some footwork in story production.
There are more problems with the owh but that is the bulk of it.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think in the end, what’s being communicated is that in this specific Eppley Airfield thread, our forum community most always scoops the W-H.. And 99% of the time, any OMA related news article released in the W-H, has likely already been covered here multiple times over.. Going through the history of this thread, it’s pretty much always been the case...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Mr.Nuke]

No meanness
Covered this ad nauseam throughout the last several pages of thread with pictures to boot.

Last several pages is being generous... The parking garage is mentioned on the second page of this thread in the initial 2009 masterplan. Actual initial plans are mentioned from 2015 on page 7 with a W-H article stating they'll start construction next year. Page 15 has 2016 articles mentioning construction to begin soon and the parking assist displays in the existing garage. Page 16 has the contract for construction awarded in December of 2016. Page 19 mentions construction starting in April of 2017 and lasting two years... And then from there we've basically been under construction the last 2 years with the user provided updates.

[Ryan Air]

Nice little piece in the San Francisco Chronicle... mostly rewording OWH article, but it’s press nonetheless.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/articl ... 060943.php

[Ryan Air]

Looks like it was picked up from the AP... very similar article found in various news outlets.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Nice little piece in the San Francisco Chronicle... mostly rewording OWH article, but it’s press nonetheless.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/articl ... 060943.php

Nice! Good to see OMA getting a bit of pub from some prominent newspaper media outlets...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Bearcat06]

Per Reuters, SWA officials are expecting the MAX to be grounded until at least Oct. 1.

https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/ ... ssion=true

[joleo]

Per Reuters, SWA officials are expecting the MAX to be grounded until at least Oct. 1.

https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/ ... ssion=true

Correct, most likely even longer. Another article I read today might be April 2020 before flying again.

At this point, it is impacting OMA at a minimum:
Southwest: No LAX...extended through September. No weekday San Diego in September, only operates weekends.
American loaded a bunch of reductions for October, most likely all MAX related. Reduced PHL to 1x daily vs 2x daily. This way they can move that aircraft to other routes to cover MAX groundings even tough it was only a 76 seat E175 plane. It was scheduled to go to 1x daily anyway come November and they are just starting it a month early. Not sure if it will be for winter only or year round reduction.

Would surprise me if there are other impacts as well on United, American and Southwest that just are not visible.

[Mr.Nuke]

Would surprise me if there are other impacts as well on United, American and Southwest that just are not visible.

Agreed, I wouldn't be surprised either. That said I think the only real direct impact we have evidence for is the rolling SW OMA-LAX flight. the AA PHL flight ending a month early is just as likely due to lower advanced bookings than anticipated on this route or higher than anticipated on a winter only route.

[Mr.Nuke]

The new rental car facility opens today. The general public parking portion will open later this month.
https://www.omaha.com/money/rental-cars ... 71503.html

[Omaha Cowboy]

Just for quick reference, a list of the top 100 busiest airports in the US. OMA ranks 60th. This ranking is for 2017. For whatever the reason, I couldn’t find a 2018 ranking list.

But anywho, here is the ranking and link:

http://www.fi-aeroweb.com/Top-100-US-Airports.html#PAX

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Cermak]

Pretty impressive. We are ahead of Memphis and Oklahoma City. Surprised Little Rock doesn’t do better. They must be losing passengers to Bentonville NW Arkansas regional airport maybe.

[OmahaJaysCU]

It appears as if they're going to be putting a matching facade on the old garage to match the new one? There are a couple panels up along Abbott drive. Would be a great move IMO

[daveoma]

Agreed, that would be very nice.

[ita]

https://www.omaha.com/money/southwest-a ... d2863.html

Southwest drops a direct to LAX due to 737 Max problems, and it being among its least profitable.

[ita]

The new North Parking Garage opened for public parking today. Floors 3-6, with 1 and 2 reserved for rentals. Now onto renovating and expanding the terminal!

https://www.omaha.com/money/eppley-airf ... 0a932.html

[Ryan Air]

Down 2% in June
Seems Southwest is down almost exactly the amount we’re down YOY ~10,000 passengers

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

[Ryan Air]

1.9% up still for the year.
Air Canada up for June
We know why Frontier is down so much.

[ita]

1.9% up still for the year.
Air Canada up for June
We know why Frontier is down so much.

Why is frontier down? I am not sure why.

[Ryan Air]

Because Frontier is being Frontier. They throw everything against the wall and hope something sticks. Last year they had more DEN service, service to SFO and to PHL from Omaha- also to SAN and AUS. It is odd with them, it doesn't seem to matter about load factor or perceived profit. They just move their assets around from market to market trying new stuff. This has been how they've been for years now. Whenever they add a route, I take it with a grain of salt, because in a month it could be gone. I've even seen them cancel a route BEFORE the first flight.

I don't get their operating model. It is similar to Allegiant (most ULCC are the same) - but Allegiant seem to be more consistent (or selective) when adding routes.

[joleo]

Because Frontier is being Frontier. They throw everything against the wall and hope something sticks. Last year they had more DEN service, service to SFO and to PHL from Omaha- also to SAN and AUS. It is odd with them, it doesn't seem to matter about load factor or perceived profit. They just move their assets around from market to market trying new stuff. This has been how they've been for years now. Whenever they add a route, I take it with a grain of salt, because in a month it could be gone. I've even seen them cancel a route BEFORE the first flight.

I don't get their operating model. It is similar to Allegiant (most ULCC are the same) - but Allegiant seem to be more consistent (or selective) when adding routes.

One correction, that served SAT, not SAN (San Diego). That only operated for a short 2 month window last fall though and did not operate June 2018.

June 2018, Denver was about the same as 2019, the big differences were PHL was either 3x or 4x weekly in 2018, now only 2x weekly. SFO was 3x weekly, now isn't operating. AUS was 2x weekly, now it isn't operating. Also was MCO (Orlando) operating in 2018 June and wasn't operating this 2019 June?

Note, Frontier will be up again in Winter 2019/2020. Right now, they are going to operate Denver, Las Vegas, Fort Myers and Orlando all about 4x weekly which is more than 2018/2019. Schedules change though, Frontier likes to make changes all the way until about 6 weeks before the flight, additions and subtractions.

Does anybody know why Southwest was down 10% 2019 vs 2018? Note in 2019 they served OMA-San Diego that they didn't serve in 2018! I can't remember was LAX cut because of the MAX issues in June 2019? I know it is cut in July-October 2019 because of MAX but couldn't remember when that started. That would be only part of the difference though as basically it is offset by San Diego if LAX didn't operate in 2019.

[ita]

Because Frontier is being Frontier. They throw everything against the wall and hope something sticks. Last year they had more DEN service, service to SFO and to PHL from Omaha- also to SAN and AUS. It is odd with them, it doesn't seem to matter about load factor or perceived profit. They just move their assets around from market to market trying new stuff. This has been how they've been for years now. Whenever they add a route, I take it with a grain of salt, because in a month it could be gone. I've even seen them cancel a route BEFORE the first flight.

I don't get their operating model. It is similar to Allegiant (most ULCC are the same) - but Allegiant seem to be more consistent (or selective) when adding routes.

One correction, that served SAT, not SAN (San Diego). That only operated for a short 2 month window last fall though and did not operate June 2018.

June 2018, Denver was about the same as 2019, the big differences were PHL was either 3x or 4x weekly in 2018, now only 2x weekly. SFO was 3x weekly, now isn't operating. AUS was 2x weekly, now it isn't operating. Also was MCO (Orlando) operating in 2018 June and wasn't operating this 2019 June?

Note, Frontier will be up again in Winter 2019/2020. Right now, they are going to operate Denver, Las Vegas, Fort Myers and Orlando all about 4x weekly which is more than 2018/2019. Schedules change though, Frontier likes to make changes all the way until about 6 weeks before the flight, additions and subtractions.

Does anybody know why Southwest was down 10% 2019 vs 2018? Note in 2019 they served OMA-San Diego that they didn't serve in 2018! I can't remember was LAX cut because of the MAX issues in June 2019? I know it is cut in July-October 2019 because of MAX but couldn't remember when that started. That would be only part of the difference though as basically it is offset by San Diego if LAX didn't operate in 2019.

Ryan Air, thanks for the explanation. It makes a lot of sense now why Frontier has been down all year.

Joleo, per an article concerning the termination of SW's OMA-LAX route (there's a link a couple posts above), SW is terminating routes that are their least profitable or routes that can easily be routed through layovers. The OMA-LAX one falls into one of those categories. It is in reaction to the problems they are having with the MAX's.

[Mr.Nuke]

Does anybody know why Southwest was down 10% 2019 vs 2018? Note in 2019 they served OMA-San Diego that they didn't serve in 2018! I can't remember was LAX cut because of the MAX issues in June 2019?

It was and you were on that noted it in this thread on April 22nd, but....

I know it is cut in July-October 2019 because of MAX but couldn't remember when that started. That would be only part of the difference though as basically it is offset by San Diego if LAX didn't operate in 2019.

Yeah so that clearly isn't the reason as they essentially traded LAX for SAN. I don't have DOT data for last month yet, but the two things that jump out to me on just a really quick glance are the following: MCO operated 25 days in June last year and all 31 days in July. I'm only seeing a 1x weekend flight this year. MDW is back down to 4X on weekdays right now. I show 180 flights in July of 2018 which would be an average of about 5.8 flights a day. So 1 or 2 flights a day got dropped there too. If I get a chance I'll look at the data in greater detail, but those were the two things that really stood out.

[joleo]

Does anybody know why Southwest was down 10% 2019 vs 2018? Note in 2019 they served OMA-San Diego that they didn't serve in 2018! I can't remember was LAX cut because of the MAX issues in June 2019?

It was and you were on that noted it in this thread on April 22nd, but....

I know it is cut in July-October 2019 because of MAX but couldn't remember when that started. That would be only part of the difference though as basically it is offset by San Diego if LAX didn't operate in 2019.

Yeah so that clearly isn't the reason as they essentially traded LAX for SAN. I don't have DOT data for last month yet, but the two things that jump out to me on just a really quick glance are the following: MCO operated 25 days in June last year and all 31 days in July. I'm only seeing a 1x weekend flight this year. MDW is back down to 4X on weekdays right now. I show 180 flights in July of 2018 which would be an average of about 5.8 flights a day. So 1 or 2 flights a day got dropped there too. If I get a chance I'll look at the data in greater detail, but those were the two things that really stood out.

Haha...thanks! Poor memory on LAX.

MCO...forgot about that and then 1 less flight to MDW, those are where it is and would amount to about 10%! In June, Omaha flights basically operate full with vacations and the CWS so any drop in flights is basically directly proportional to traffic. On the opposite, in January, load factors are much lower so a drop in service isn't as harmful because it can be absorbed by other flights having a slightly higher load factor.

On MCO, I remember now, 2017 had good times and it did well! The flights times in 2018 were bad, loads were worse and then flight was dropped.
I would think if times were fixed, it would come back strong again!

LAX too, flight times were good when it start as 1x weekly, then 2x weekly then went daily summer only! It got extended to summer 2019 and flight times were terrible, loads probably reflected that and it got dropped as part of the MAX groundings. Looking at November, OMA-LAX leaves at 630 pm and LAX-OMA arrives at 11PM. Not great as 630pm only works well on Sunday and Thursday, the rest of days suffer.

December weekdays, leaves OMA at 230pm and leaves LAX for OMA at 830am. Those times do better for sure! It's just interesting basically every month is drastically different times on OMA-LAX, even though they are just getting pulled again and again for MAX so are not operating.

[Omaha Cowboy]

1.9% up still for the year.
Air Canada up for June
We know why Frontier is down so much.

Still hanging in at up nearly 2.0% after a record 2018..

And Air Canada was actually up for June.. Perhaps rumors of their demise at OMA have been a bit exaggerated, lol..

In any case, still optimistic OMA will finish 2019 with a plus % gain over 2018...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ricko]

The new rental car building is very cool inside and out—-wouldn’t mind if they used the interior design as a template for the airport’s re-design.

[Louie]

Pics anybody?