Omaha Eppley Airfield - DISCUSSION

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Although these ideas are nice to have for Eppley upgrades, the cost would skyrocket. The city does not manage the airport but the authority does. Do we really want to follow the path of KC, of the city managing the airport, in which tax payers are stuck paying for an over the top airport?

Isn't it better to invest tax payer funds improving services in the city or other projects, instead of following KC?

Also the upper and lower departures, is I'm sure costly and has its own downsides, like aesthetics too and lighting challenges.

Better brush up on how airports are funded. No taxpayer funds are used. KC has and omaha likely will pay for the new terminals through revenue bonds. The bonds are paid back with airport revenues regardless of management type.

And in what world is KCI “over the top?” Are you familiar with Changi?

[TransitOriented]

More recently I don’t like it because: … it doesn’t go all the way up to the top of the garage. A cool slant or curve would have been better. … I don’t like that it doesn’t seem to be continuous, like it’s in sections. And there should be a separation of arrivals and departures, ticketing and baggage claim. Still stupid. Still going to bite them in the backside. “sure ma’am in a wheel chair, just park along somewhere in these 6 lanes, find your closest door. You’ll need to go upstairs for ticketing- don’t easily follow folks to the escalator- you’ll need and elevator. Don’t complain, ma’am, other airports are like this sometimes. If you were at Midway, you’d need an elevator after checking-in to go to the gates on the mezzanine level. In Omaha, accommodation and design is too expensive- apparently we get what we get and we don’t pitch a fit.”

100% agree. It's just slapped on....kind of like the parking garage expansions.

Renovator, we're not asking for a billion dollar award winning roof, we're just asking for something that is a bit more pleasing to the eye.

[Renovator2559]

100% agree. It's just slapped on....kind of like the parking garage expansions.

Renovator, we're not asking for a billion dollar award winning roof, we're just asking for something that is a bit more pleasing to the eye.

It doesn't help that the terminal hasn't yet been renovated, so its a challenge to see the overall end result.
If they are able to secure a better roof that's nicer without incurring extra expenses, that would be great too.

[nativeomahan]

You get what you pay for.

[Bob from Omaha]

Although these ideas are nice to have for Eppley upgrades, the cost would skyrocket. The city does not manage the airport but the authority does. Do we really want to follow the path of KC, of the city managing the airport, in which tax payers are stuck paying for an over the top airport?

Isn't it better to invest tax payer funds improving services in the city or other projects, instead of following KC?

Also the upper and lower departures, is I'm sure costly and has its own downsides, like aesthetics too and lighting challenges.

Better brush up on how airports are funded. No taxpayer funds are used. KC has and omaha likely will pay for the new terminals through revenue bonds. The bonds are paid back with airport revenues regardless of management type.

And in what world is KCI “over the top?” Are you familiar with Changi?

True about KC and Omaha airports not having taxing power. Lincoln taxpayers get to pay from time to time, such as now.

[Renovator2559]

Better brush up on how airports are funded. No taxpayer funds are used. KC has and omaha likely will pay for the new terminals through revenue bonds. The bonds are paid back with airport revenues regardless of management type.

And in what world is KCI “over the top?” Are you familiar with Changi?

You are right, since I assumed KC did not have an Authority; I thought taxes would have to cover. Still those yearly revenue bonds of $95M that need to be paid until 2058; is a tight rope to cross but doable, as long as revenue does not drop within a certain threshold.

[Bob from Omaha]

Better brush up on how airports are funded. No taxpayer funds are used. KC has and omaha likely will pay for the new terminals through revenue bonds. The bonds are paid back with airport revenues regardless of management type.

And in what world is KCI “over the top?” Are you familiar with Changi?

You are right, since I assumed KC did not have an Authority; I thought taxes would have to cover. Still those yearly revenue bonds of $95M that need to be paid until 2058; is a tight rope to cross but doable, as long as revenue does not drop within a certain threshold.

The airlines cover any shortfall.

KCI Financing

[Ryan Air]

I see “Red Way” is already ending service to ATL, MSP, and AUS from LNK. You think? Pretty sure if money were to be made there, the airline who invented airlineing from ATL, and who assumed a massive hub at MSP, would be offering those routes out of that waste-of-space airport.

[Mr.Nuke]

I see “Red Way” is already ending service to ATL, MSP, and AUS from LNK. You think? Pretty sure if money were to be made there, the airline who invented airlineing from ATL, and who assumed a massive hub at MSP, would be offering those routes out of that waste-of-space airport.

We've been discussing their route changes all week in the Lincoln airport thread.

[Ryan Air]

I see “Red Way” is already ending service to ATL, MSP, and AUS from LNK. You think? Pretty sure if money were to be made there, the airline who invented airlineing from ATL, and who assumed a massive hub at MSP, would be offering those routes out of that waste-of-space airport.

We've been discussing their route changes all week in the Lincoln airport thread.

We have a Lincoln airport thread?

[Ryan Air]

I see “Red Way” is already ending service to ATL, MSP, and AUS from LNK. You think? Pretty sure if money were to be made there, the airline who invented airlineing from ATL, and who assumed a massive hub at MSP, would be offering those routes out of that waste-of-space airport.

We've been discussing their route changes all week in the Lincoln airport thread.

We have a Lincoln airport thread?

I found it. I read it. It’s easier to talk about it’s inevitable commercial failure here. Waste of tax payer money. I’d rather, and ir would prob be cheaper, to give gas cards to people driving to OMA. They could have paid for $20 gas cards for 50,000 people in those few months. And I KNOW 50,000 people didn’t fly out of LNK since June.

[Mr.Nuke]

It’s easier to talk about it’s inevitable commercial failure here.

How so? It really has very little to do with Eppley if anything at all, the subject of this thread...

I'm fundamentally with you as to the situation at hand. The ARPA funding was allocated to the city of Lincoln, they chose to use it in this manner after needing a state ballot initiative to do so. I too think it was/is a shitty idea, and would've voted against the ballot initiative had I known what they were intending to do.

Again though, none of this has anything directly to do with Eppley. It was Lincoln's (and technically all of our Federal funds) to blow and the rest of the state voted myself included to let them blow it. I'm more than happy to continue the conversation that doesn't pertain to Eppley in a place that is more appropriate, and we have one already.

[Bearcat06]

Have they officially broken ground on the canopy project yet? I haven't been down that way for a long time, but this is one of the more exciting projects to get underway in Omaha

I just flew out of Omaha 2 days ago. Nothing going on for the canopy project. Drop off zone looked exactly the same.

I went through OMA a couple weeks ago. Other than some construction near the SW/United door on the north side there isn't much going on in the terminal drive. I'm not sure if that construction has to do with the cover or not.

[Garrett]

Flew to Omaha on Friday and there’s definitely stuff going on now.

[strangerthings]

Where can I find higher quality renderings and plans for the new OMA terminal?

[Mr.Nuke]

Where can I find higher quality renderings and plans for the new OMA terminal?

What do you mean? There aren't any. Construction documents for bidding for the bulk of the terminal work are going to be released on 8/18 with bids due on 9/1. Around that time if the airport authority wants to start sharing more they might, but they also might not.

[Bob from Omaha]

It seems other airports shout from the rooftops as well as their web sites about new terminals/additions/modernizations. OMA seems to at best whisper.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

It seems other airports shout from the rooftops as well as their web sites about new terminals/additions/modernizations. OMA seems to at best whisper.

"Sexy indifference"

[thenewguy]

Flew to Omaha on Friday and there’s definitely stuff going on now.

that's encouraging- did they have things torn up or just moving materials onsite?

[Mr.Nuke]

It seems other airports shout from the rooftops as well as their web sites about new terminals/additions/modernizations. OMA seems to at best whisper.

They showed off 3 renderings of a canopy roof and people here went apoplectic. I'd be willing to hold stuff back too . I think there is a decent chance we see stuff soon, but that is without any inside information. They're having meetings for bidders on the terminal next week and the following week and again the finalized construction documents (would be of little interest to us) are due for 8/18. Between that and the bidding being done by September they should be ready to release renderings if they want to.

[Bob from Omaha]

It seems other airports shout from the rooftops as well as their web sites about new terminals/additions/modernizations. OMA seems to at best whisper.

They showed off 3 renderings of a canopy roof and people here went apoplectic. I'd be willing to hold stuff back too . I think there is a decent chance we see stuff soon, but that is without any inside information. They're having meetings for bidders on the terminal next week and the following week and again the finalized construction documents (would be of little interest to us) are due for 8/18. Between that and the bidding being done by September they should be ready to release renderings if they want to.

People here aren't the norm compared to the unwashed masses. On the other hand when the Convention Center/Arena was being kicked around the owh comment section on their web site went crazy with the tin hat folks so I guess relying on local media to get the word out is ok.

[Garrett]

Flew to Omaha on Friday and there’s definitely stuff going on now.

that's encouraging- did they have things torn up or just moving materials onsite?

All of the left lanes where the shuttles usually are were torn up

[NEDodger]

Flew to Omaha on Friday and there’s definitely stuff going on now.

that's encouraging- did they have things torn up or just moving materials onsite?

All of the left lanes where the shuttles usually are were torn up

Any signage in the terminal itself showing the publicly released renderings / announcing “renovations coming soon”?

[thenewguy]

channel 6 last night ran a story that uber/lyft pick up has moved from where it was to being adjacent to abbot drive. I assume that is part of the plan for when the canopy construction starts?

[Dusty]

Is the expansion adding a third terminal or just combining the existing 2 as one larger terminal?

[almighty_tuna]

Taking the two and combining into one long terminal

[Mr.Nuke]

channel 6 last night ran a story that uber/lyft pick up has moved from where it was to being adjacent to abbot drive. I assume that is part of the plan for when the canopy construction starts?

It is probably more likely a side effect of the terminal road construction. Garrett noted a couple posts above yours that the commercial lanes where the shuttles normally operate on are torn up. Presumably the shuttles are currently or are about to start going through the parking garage, passing right through where the rideshare pick ups had been occurring.

The actual canopy construction isn't going to have a huge impact on the terminal drive. From the renderings all of the posts are outside the road (makes sense). And any significant vertical construction of the canopy is likely to occur overnight when there aren't people below.

[Dusty]

There does seems to be clearer pictures on this website. It says you can signup for updates on the projects.

https://www.buildoma.com/

[SkyWarrior55]

[Bob from Omaha]

Looks like Southwest is adding Ft Lauderdale Saturday only starting this fall. 13th destination for SW in OMA

[nativeomahan]

Southwest recently announced an expansion of their Latin America service to 3 more destinations. I guess with these announced service enhancements they must have found more pilots.

[Bearcat06]

Looks like a short flight for UA 1681 this morning.

[NEDodger]

Southwest recently announced an expansion of their Latin America service to 3 more destinations. I guess with these announced service enhancements they must have found more pilots.

Nah. Just more flights they have to cancel!

[Mr.Nuke]

Looks like Southwest is adding Ft Lauderdale Saturday only starting this fall. 13th destination for SW in OMA

Yeah it may have got lost in the canopy discussion, but that one was announced at the end of June.
https://www.eomahaforums.com/viewtopic. ... 37#p375337

[Mr.Nuke]

2023 Q1 PDEW
Phoenix 394
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Orlando 236
Denver 232
Dallas/Fort Worth 204
Los Angeles 202
Chicago 200
Washington D.C. 153
Houston 130
New York City 129
Miami 128
Atlanta 127
Tampa 124
San Francisco 103
Seattle 84
San Diego 73
Salt Lake City 65
Nashville 63
Minneapolis 62
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Charlotte 54
Detroit 49
Boston 49
San Antonio 45
Sanford FL 42
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Austin 42
Fort Myers 42
Philadelphia 39
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Raleigh/Durham 34
Sacramento 33
Portland 33
Jacksonville 28
Sarasota 26
Tuscon 26
Columbus 25
Pensacola 21
Cincinnati 20

[Mr.Nuke]

I haven't seen one of these for a long time (probably since United's ground crew used to be directly employed by the airline), but a Delta A350 is diverting from Soul South Korea to Eppley due to weather in Minneapolis.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL ... /RKSI/KOMA

[Bearcat06]

I haven't seen one of these for a long time (probably since United's ground crew used to be directly employed by the airline), but a Delta A350 is diverting from Soul South Korea to Eppley due to weather in Minneapolis.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL ... /RKSI/KOMA

Saw this Twitter post about it.

[Bearcat06]

I haven't seen one of these for a long time (probably since United's ground crew used to be directly employed by the airline), but a Delta A350 is diverting from Soul South Korea to Eppley due to weather in Minneapolis.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL ... /RKSI/KOMA

Now that OMA is taking international flights again and on A350s no less, what non-stop destinations would you like to see after the terminal remodel? Consider an A350-900 can travel up to 14,500 km.

Santo Domingo, DR is about 3,600 km.
Trinidad & Tobago is about 4,800 km.
Iceland is about 5,200 km.
Hawaii is about 6200 km.
Barcelona is about 7,700 km.
Athens, Greece is 9,300 km.
Tokyo is under 10,000km.
For under 12,500 km you can get to Hong Kong, New Delhi or Abu Dhabi.

Clearly this is all in jest, but we don't have much to talk about until the next construction update.

Speaking of which, given the A350 making an appearance, was there anything about extending any of the runways? 14R/32L is the longest at 9,502 ft. It would appear they'd have enough room the south to get it to 10,500 or 11,000 without too much issue. (The north side of the runway only has about 1,000 feet between the end of the runway and the river.) KCI's longest runway is 10,800 ft so a moderate increase at OMA would put them on par with the closest big time competitor.

[thenewguy]

I live on the west end of CB, so I see planes all the time coming and going. The air force has one similar to air force one (but is just all white) that lands and takes off from there periodically. IDK what they are doing, other than maybe practicing touch and go, but here's a reference of A.F.O. for reference. I assume if it could land there, then the runways are already long enough?

[damonhynes]

KOMA has received Concorde before, so I think a 350 or 748 would be no sweat. Or a 380, for that matter.

Aside, I flew to/from KDEN for the first time last week, and high/hot takeoffs are no joke--the flight to Omaha took forever to get off the ground! KDEN's runways are 12000 and 16000 ft.