Omaha Eppley Airfield - DISCUSSION

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Wed Sep 16, 2020 7:14 pm

August down 62.8% for the month and 56.8% YTD.

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

Bearcat06 · Post by **Bearcat06** » Thu Sep 17, 2020 9:26 pm

August numbers are out. Pax load essentially the same as July numbers. Aug down 62.8% versus 2019 and 2020 numbers are down 56.8% over 2019 figures. Jan-Mar accounted for 973K pax versus 494K from Apr-Aug.

My guess is total pax for the year will be around 2 million, give or take a few thousand based on current numbers.

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

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 8:32 pm

I don't know if anyone has seen this or has more information, but the TIP Website lists the terminal modernization as one of the projects. According to the website, there is already federal funding from the FAA for half of the $600 million budget. I wonder if this grant is good indefinitely, or if the airport has a timeline as to how soon they need to start the project.

Terminal Modernization Program

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 8:55 pm

ita wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 8:32 pm I don't know if anyone has seen this or has more information, but the TIP Website lists the terminal modernization as one of the projects. According to the website, there is already federal funding from the FAA for half of the $600 million budget. I wonder if this grant is good indefinitely, or if the airport has a timeline as to how soon they need to start the project.

Terminal Modernization Program

I used to work with the TIP and federal funding for transportation projects in the Chicago area. I'm not very familiar with FAA funds but with others they don't really expire once they've been allocated from the feds. However, it may look bad on Omaha's part if they hoard federal dollars and don't spend them within or close to the timeline specified. The consequence would be that the feds would be less likely to provide as much funding in the future.

Airports are different though. I would suspect there would be greater leeway with a project like an airport as compared to a fund for highway or mass transit improvements.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Thu Sep 24, 2020 2:29 am

Maybe I'm just old and forgetful but I don't remember $600M as the cost of the project. Given that as the cost I'm hoping that there is more to the project than has been announced. Of course, the final details haven't been worked out so maybe there actually is more coming.

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 1:52 pm

September down 59.3% over last September, -57.1% year-to-date.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:24 pm

This site and this poster may have been mentioned before--it's very granular, the data isn't formatted in a user-friendly manner--but I just do CTRL-F and type OMA to get a reasonable picture: https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtop ... &t=1453731

TL:DR? Civil Aviation, and Omaha specifically is going to get whacked something fierce this winter. Omaha-Chicago is horrible.

(In case you're wondering, all daily Amtrak is now three times a week...)

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:38 pm

damonhynes wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:24 pm This site and this poster may have been mentioned before--it's very granular, the data isn't formatted in a user-friendly manner--but I just do CTRL-F and type OMA to get a reasonable picture: https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtop ... &t=1453731

TL:DR? Civil Aviation, and Omaha specifically is going to get whacked something fierce this winter. Omaha-Chicago is horrible.

(In case you're wondering, all daily Amtrak is now three times a week...)

Do you expect those numbers to be temporary as we deal with Covid-related traffic decreases?

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:48 pm

Louie wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:38 pm
damonhynes wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:24 pm This site and this poster may have been mentioned before--it's very granular, the data isn't formatted in a user-friendly manner--but I just do CTRL-F and type OMA to get a reasonable picture: https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtop ... &t=1453731

TL:DR? Civil Aviation, and Omaha specifically is going to get whacked something fierce this winter. Omaha-Chicago is horrible.

(In case you're wondering, all daily Amtrak is now three times a week...)
Do you expect those numbers to be temporary as we deal with Covid-related traffic decreases?

Everything is temporary; a Delta exec expected the recovery to take until 2024.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Tue Nov 03, 2020 5:03 pm

damonhynes wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:48 pm
Louie wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:38 pm
damonhynes wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:24 pm This site and this poster may have been mentioned before--it's very granular, the data isn't formatted in a user-friendly manner--but I just do CTRL-F and type OMA to get a reasonable picture: https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtop ... &t=1453731

TL:DR? Civil Aviation, and Omaha specifically is going to get whacked something fierce this winter. Omaha-Chicago is horrible.

(In case you're wondering, all daily Amtrak is now three times a week...)
Do you expect those numbers to be temporary as we deal with Covid-related traffic decreases?
Everything is temporary; a Delta exec expected the recovery to take until 2024.

Oof. Dang.

Bearcat06 · Post by **Bearcat06** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 6:03 pm

Mr.Nuke wrote: Thu Oct 22, 2020 1:52 pm September down 59.3% over last September, -57.1% year-to-date.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

After updating my projection, it looks like OMA might squeak past the 2 million mark with about 2,156,000 pax this year. They would need roughly 373K pax for the year to cross 2 million or about 125K per month.

Maybe a teeny, tiny silver lining...since April the percent down vs 2019 has improved every month from 95.5% down to 59.3% down. (95.5, 89.0, 77.5, 66.0, 62.8, 59.3 Apr to Sep)

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 11:42 pm

Bearcat06 wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 6:03 pm
Mr.Nuke wrote: Thu Oct 22, 2020 1:52 pm September down 59.3% over last September, -57.1% year-to-date.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf
After updating my projection, it looks like OMA might squeak past the 2 million mark with about 2,156,000 pax this year. They would need roughly 373K pax for the year to cross 2 million or about 125K per month.

Maybe a teeny, tiny silver lining...since April the percent down vs 2019 has improved every month from 95.5% down to 59.3% down. (95.5, 89.0, 77.5, 66.0, 62.8, 59.3 Apr to Sep)

We'll see what happens. With COVID escalating again we may see another decline in flying.

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Fri Nov 20, 2020 2:59 am

October down 57.5% over 10/19 and 57.1% YTD.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Thu Dec 17, 2020 4:39 pm

November down 59.2% year over year, 57.3% YTD.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:27 pm

Mr.Nuke wrote: Thu Dec 17, 2020 4:39 pm November down 59.2% year over year, 57.3% YTD.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

You may know. Have they paused the terminal modernization project?

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:46 pm

Bob from Omaha wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:27 pm
Mr.Nuke wrote: Thu Dec 17, 2020 4:39 pm November down 59.2% year over year, 57.3% YTD.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf
You may know. Have they paused the terminal modernization project?

Yes. https://www.ketv.com/article/airport-au ... l/33476232#

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 7:58 pm

It’s nice to see flights picking up. American has added the Miami flight back and Allegiant has 2 flights to Punta Gorda, 2 to Orlando/Sanford and one to Phoenix/Mesa. The Southwest flight to Atlanta is nice - creating competition on that route should help with fares. Hopefully the added flights are resulting in increased passenger numbers.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Thu Dec 31, 2020 3:49 am

Mr.Nuke wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:46 pm
Bob from Omaha wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:27 pm
Mr.Nuke wrote: Thu Dec 17, 2020 4:39 pm November down 59.2% year over year, 57.3% YTD.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf
You may know. Have they paused the terminal modernization project?
Yes. https://www.ketv.com/article/airport-au ... l/33476232#

Same architects and owners rep as the KCI project

Bearcat06 · Post by **Bearcat06** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 12:12 am

Saw in KETV tonight that Eppley has new scanners at the security checkpoints that will scan IDs/passports and eliminates the need to show boarding passes there? You'll just have to present at the gate to board.

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 4:16 pm

December down 58.6% year-over-year, and 2020 was down 57.4% for the year overall with 2,140,016 passengers.

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

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:06 pm

Mr.Nuke wrote: Wed Jan 20, 2021 4:16 pm December down 58.6% year-over-year, and 2020 was down 57.4% for the year overall with 2,140,016 passengers.

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

As we used to say in my company when something wasn't going our way & we gave it our best shot, F.I.A.M.O. Flush It And Move On. Begin to plan for expansion with flexibility to change the layout as needed. Don't be a KCI (and I mean the one that's being replaced). But also, let's see if Eppley can be proactive.

P.S. The Lincoln Airport got hammered in 2020. Delta dropped all service and for the month of December down 80%, for the year down 69%. In December they averaged 160 passengers a day. Wow.

SunMan · Post by **SunMan** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 1:42 pm

Starting with August 2020, the Grand Island airport has had more passengers than the Lincoln airport.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 9:30 pm

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:14 pm

SunMan wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 1:42 pm Starting with August 2020, the Grand Island airport has had more passengers than the Lincoln airport.

Well, Lincoln has only small jets from UAL a few times a day. GRI has them to Dallas on AA & a few times a week they get A320s on Allegiant. There's the difference. I don''t know specifics but I believe they can seat about 180. That's a lot of central Nebraskans.

Bearcat06 · Post by **Bearcat06** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:20 pm

Mr.Nuke wrote: Wed Jan 20, 2021 4:16 pm December down 58.6% year-over-year, and 2020 was down 57.4% for the year overall with 2,140,016 passengers.

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

Well, 16K passengers off from my estimate on 11/11/20, I figured about 2,156,000 pax and they ended with 2,140,016. I'll take that.

Based on the 2020 numbers, best 6 months for OMA overall (in descending order), Jan, Feb, Mar (obviously) then Oct, Sep, Dec.

Best six months for each carrier broken down as follows (descending order again):

Alaska - Feb, Jan, Aug, Jul, Sep, Oct
Allegiant - Feb, Jan, Jul, Jun, Mar, Dec
American - Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Oct, Aug
Delta - Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Sep
Frontier - Feb, Jan, Mar, Dec, Oct, Nov
Southwest - Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec, Jul, Aug
United - Feb, Jan, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec

Q1 pax avg - 324,535
Q2 pax avg - 59,154
Q3 pax avg - 158,976
Q4 pax avg - 171,109
Total '20 avg - 178,335 per month

Early thoughts for 2021. UA took a massive loss last quarter, not sure what that will do for their numbers this year. Over the last 3 years they are ranking 4th out of the big 4 through OMA in terms of percentage of pax load. Haven't heard much on the others though I'm sure they have also been hemorrhaging money as well. I'm sure someone would step in to take part of UA's share if they falter.

Second to third quarter 2020 showed a 63% increase in pax loads after things started to open up. Third to forth was about a 7% increase, but we also know things started going downhill at the time with the Covid. Obviously things won't bounce back to pre-Covid figures overnight, but travel experts suggest that people are wanting to get out and about after the vaccine gets widely distributed, so we can presume things will slowly start to look up.

So, for a way to early estimate, if we see a 25% increase of the Q4 avg for '21 I'm guessing a total pax load of 2,566,635. A 37% increase would be 2,813,032 and a 50% increase of the Q4 numbers would suggest approximately 3,079,962. I'm going to go with the 37% figure out of the gate and estimate OMA will see a little over 2.8 millions travelers this year, an average of approximately 234,420 per month.

Bearcat06 · Post by **Bearcat06** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:40 pm

Bearcat06 wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:20 pm
Mr.Nuke wrote: Wed Jan 20, 2021 4:16 pm December down 58.6% year-over-year, and 2020 was down 57.4% for the year overall with 2,140,016 passengers.

https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf
Well, 16K passengers off from my estimate on 11/11/20, I figured about 2,156,000 pax and they ended with 2,140,016. I'll take that.

Based on the 2020 numbers, best 6 months for OMA overall (in descending order), Jan, Feb, Mar (obviously) then Oct, Sep, Dec.

For historical reference, well back to 2018 anyway (the earliest numbers I have for a full year), OMA's best months in 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

2018 - Jun, Jul, May, Oct, Aug, Mar
2019 - Jun, May, Jul, Mar, Aug, Oct

Same six months, just in a different order.

Bearcat06 · Post by **Bearcat06** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:48 pm

Bob from Omaha wrote: Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:06 pm
Mr.Nuke wrote: Wed Jan 20, 2021 4:16 pm December down 58.6% year-over-year, and 2020 was down 57.4% for the year overall with 2,140,016 passengers.

https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf
As we used to say in my company when something wasn't going our way & we gave it our best shot, F.I.A.M.O. Flush It And Move On. Begin to plan for expansion with flexibility to change the layout as needed. Don't be a KCI (and I mean the one that's being replaced). But also, let's see if Eppley can be proactive.

P.S. The Lincoln Airport got hammered in 2020. Delta dropped all service and for the month of December down 80%, for the year down 69%. In December they averaged 160 passengers a day. Wow.

Interest rates are extremely low. KETV had something on the other day about Eppley getting Covid relief money as well, but I'm sure that has to be earmarked for specific things related to the pandemic. It would be nice to see some work though while pax traffic is lower and have a nice new terminal for when the numbers return. It's a lot of faith, but I think people will want to travel again as things improve with the economy and Covid.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 3:52 am

Bearcat06 wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:48 pm
Bob from Omaha wrote: Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:06 pm
Mr.Nuke wrote: Wed Jan 20, 2021 4:16 pm December down 58.6% year-over-year, and 2020 was down 57.4% for the year overall with 2,140,016 passengers.

https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf
As we used to say in my company when something wasn't going our way & we gave it our best shot, F.I.A.M.O. Flush It And Move On. Begin to plan for expansion with flexibility to change the layout as needed. Don't be a KCI (and I mean the one that's being replaced). But also, let's see if Eppley can be proactive.

P.S. The Lincoln Airport got hammered in 2020. Delta dropped all service and for the month of December down 80%, for the year down 69%. In December they averaged 160 passengers a day. Wow.
Interest rates are extremely low. KETV had something on the other day about Eppley getting Covid relief money as well, but I'm sure that has to be earmarked for specific things related to the pandemic. It would be nice to see some work though while pax traffic is lower and have a nice new terminal for when the numbers return. It's a lot of faith, but I think people will want to travel again as things improve with the economy and Covid.

Improvements will require a high % of landing weight approval. The cash strapped airlines will have to be convinced.

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:02 am

strangerthings wrote: Thu Dec 31, 2020 3:49 am Same architects and owners rep as the KCI project

That article was comparing and contrasting Eppley and KCI's approach during the pandemic. Any references to those people were solely for the KCI project. Eppley has (presumably still does) separate architecture and construction firms.

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:07 am

Bearcat06 wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:48 pm Interest rates are extremely low. KETV had something on the other day about Eppley getting Covid relief money as well, but I'm sure that has to be earmarked for specific things related to the pandemic. It would be nice to see some work though while pax traffic is lower and have a nice new terminal for when the numbers return. It's a lot of faith, but I think people will want to travel again as things improve with the economy and Covid.

I'm going to quote my own post from September, because it still applies. The TLDR is Eppley is basically in a situation right now where they Revenue was probably 1/2 of what it normally is and their expenses were probably very near 100% of normal. The CARES act funding will help offset that. With that said though, as a non-taxing entity any bond repayment is ultimately coming from airport issues where their is an obvious short-fall right now.

Mr.Nuke wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 2:02 pm The problem for Eppley as a government entity without taxing authority is that they have to have the capacity to repay the bonds. Right now they still have a healthy cash reserve and CARES funding is temporarily helping to offset some costs, but fundamentally nearly all of their revenue sources are tied to passenger levels be it parking, concessions, ticket fees, airline landing fees, etc. Half way through the year based on passenger levels they're probably roughly at 50% of their normal revenue and they're still bleeding more each month as July probably only gave them about 1/3 of their revenue over last July. Meanwhile again, CARES is taking care of some of the expenses right now, but their cost structure to run an airport is nearly the same regardless of passenger levels. I think they probably need to be in a spot where they aren't bleeding cash before undertaking a multi-hundred million project.

Minor work does continue though. It looks like they're proceeding forward with at the very least the beginning of the terminal drive and parking garage modifications.
https://omahadailyrecord.com/content/om ... ces-122320

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Sun Jan 24, 2021 3:34 pm

Antidotal rumor I was told that the expansion planning that was paused early covid has resumed. Fingers crossed that’s right..

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:34 pm

OmahaJaysCU wrote: Sun Jan 24, 2021 3:34 pm Antidotal rumor I was told that the expansion planning that was paused early covid has resumed. Fingers crossed that’s right..

If true, that would be a positive development for OMA.. Fingers crossed

indeed...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Sun Jan 24, 2021 8:43 pm

Mr.Nuke wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:07 am ...................

You're the go to guy it seems.

Have you heard anything about Spirit coming to OMA? I'm not going to go into details on why I ask other than I thought you'd be the one to ask.

mrsticka · Post by **mrsticka** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:15 am

Have you ever been through a major airport like Minneapolis, Denver or Chicago O'Hare and you were walking through their extremely long concourses and it felt like they just went on and on forever?

Omababe · Post by **Omababe** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:35 pm

Bob from Omaha wrote: Sun Jan 24, 2021 8:43 pmHave you heard anything about Spirit coming to OMA? I'm not going to go into details on why I ask other than I thought you'd be the one to ask.

If anything, it's more competition, which is a Good Thing (tm) for the flying public.

Not to mention that Spirit makes Allegiant and Frontier look like full-service airlines by comparison.

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 2:43 pm

I've never had to change terminals in DTW, but my experiences changing DL flights in the McNamara terminal has been nothing short of effortless. This is the quasi-blueprint for OMA, in my understanding, and also for the far-distant DFW reimagining.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 3:41 pm

damonhynes wrote: Mon Jan 25, 2021 2:43 pm I've never had to change terminals in DTW, but my experiences changing DL flights in the McNamara terminal has been nothing short of effortless. This is the quasi-blueprint for OMA, in my understanding, and also for the far-distant DFW reimagining.

You certainly can change terminals at DTW but I doubt many do. While I think the tram in the McNamara terminal is a gimmick you're right about changing planes. For what it's worth I'd say the North Terminal could be a blueprint for OMA. 26 gates, moving walkways, upper and lower roads, two international gates (not sure if OMA will ever need those but why not?), It's not the prettiest terminal but functionally it is traveler friendly. Lots of food choices, some shopping and very efficient.

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 3:45 pm

Bob from Omaha wrote: Sun Jan 24, 2021 8:43 pm Have you heard anything about Spirit coming to OMA? I'm not going to go into details on why I ask other than I thought you'd be the one to ask.

I have not. There were rumors about 3 or 4 years ago that never materialized at the time.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:31 am

THought this was a neat video:

Bearcat06 · Post by **Bearcat06** » Wed Jan 27, 2021 5:04 pm

mrsticka wrote: Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:15 am Have you ever been through a major airport like Minneapolis, Denver or Chicago O'Hare and you were walking through their extremely long concourses and it felt like they just went on and on forever?

Denver can feel like it's a hike at times (like a couple years ago when my SW flight was delayed out of OMA and we hit the ground in DEN and I could see on my phone what gate I needed to get to ASAP for my connection, we drove right by it and parked on the complete opposite end...come on!) But the worst I've had to deal with was Charlotte, that one seemed to go on for miles.