Omaha Eppley Airfield - DISCUSSION

[skinzfan23]

What is the busiest month traditionally?

[Bob from Omaha]

If OMA did 487,205 a month it would be almost 5,850,000 for the year. It won't but hey, something to shoot for. Maybe with all those international flights but not before. (kidding of course)

[Mr.Nuke]

What is the busiest month traditionally?

Last year June was above May so this record is going to be fairly short lived. July was slightly off of June last year but above May as well.

[skinzfan23]

What is the busiest month traditionally?

Last year June was above May so this record is going to be fairly short lived. July was slightly off of June last year but above May as well.

Thanks, I was thinking that May probably isn't the busiest usually. Excited to see the June numbers, maybe we can break the 500,000 barrier.

[Mr.Nuke]

What is the busiest month traditionally?

Last year June was above May so this record is going to be fairly short lived. July was slightly off of June last year but above May as well.

Thanks, I was thinking that May probably isn't the busiest usually. Excited to see the June numbers, maybe we can break the 500,000 barrier.

Similar roughly 6% growth from May and for the year thus far would be about spot on to hit 500,000 for June.

[Bearcat06]

What is the busiest month traditionally?

Going back to 2018 for the stats I have access to, it typically bounces between Jun and July and then August.

[Bearcat06]

A few pics of the construction from today while I was walking through.

[skinzfan23]

Thanks for the update. I am flying out in about 2 weeks for the first time this year.

[Mr.Nuke]

What is the busiest month traditionally?

Going back to 2018 for the stats I have access to, it typically bounces between Jun and July and then August.

Are we looking at the same data? And I'll preface by saying I may have made a mistake with the numbers, I did earlier (see above re: United's June seats), but....

I'd propose forgetting about 2020 completely for obvious reasons. I'd also eliminate 2021 as it really isn't indicative of typical Eppley trends i.e. May is lower and November and December are higher than they typically are as passenger activity continued to recover throughout that year.

Doing that, between the four years (2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023), on average:
1) June was never not number 1.
2) July was typically a close 2nd, although it was 3rd in 2019
3) May was 4th in 2023 by only 619 seats behind #3, but #2 overall in 2019, and #3 in 2018, and 2022
-------
4) October (#4, #6, #4, #3)
--------
5) March (#6, #4, #9, #5)
6) August (#5, #5, #6, #8)
--------
7) November (#7, #10, #5, #7)
December (#9, #7, #8, #6)
9) September (#8, #9, #7, #9)
10)April (#10, #8, #10, #10)
--------
11) January (#11, #11, #12, #11)
12) February (#12, #12, #11, #12)

-----=the next month, on average, is not particularly close to the previous months.

[skinzfan23]

Thanks for putting that list together. With those numbers it makes it seem like June should have a great chance to get to 500,000 for the first time ever.

[Bearcat06]

What is the busiest month traditionally?

Going back to 2018 for the stats I have access to, it typically bounces between Jun and July and then August.

Are we looking at the same data? And I'll preface by saying I may have made a mistake with the numbers, I did earlier (see above re: United's June seats), but....

I'd propose forgetting about 2020 completely for obvious reasons. I'd also eliminate 2021 as it really isn't indicative of typical Eppley trends i.e. May is lower and November and December are higher than they typically are as passenger activity continued to recover throughout that year.

Doing that, between the four years (2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023), on average:
1) June was never not number 1.
2) July was typically a close 2nd, although it was 3rd in 2019
3) May was 4th in 2023 by only 619 seats behind #3, but #2 overall in 2019, and #3 in 2018, and 2022
-------
4) October (#4, #6, #4, #3)
--------
5) March (#6, #4, #9, #5)
6) August (#5, #5, #6, #8)
--------
7) November (#7, #10, #5, #7)
December (#9, #7, #8, #6)
9) September (#8, #9, #7, #9)
10)April (#10, #8, #10, #10)
--------
11) January (#11, #11, #12, #11)
12) February (#12, #12, #11, #12)

-----=the next month, on average, is not particularly close to the previous months.

You are correct Nuke. 2020 was certainly forgettable and should be left off. 2021 seemed closer to normal-ish trending, but yeah, July only beat Jun numbers that year by 17k.

I'd walk back my statement and agree that June is typically the busiest month.

[zedmib]

On the earlier runway discussion.
Eons ago, 1980s, I was in an aviation explorers post that was run out of the old Northwestern Bell corporate hanger. The current Jetlink hanger. I was told by an airport administrator at the time that 14R/32L could be extended to 11,000 feet. That extention would be on the south end. At the time it was not considered since it would lower the approach path over Council Bluffs and noise was a big issue. Just by looking at Google maps 14L/32R could be stretch another 750 ft to 9250
And 18/36 could be extended 1000 ft to 9154. I think that could comfortably handle long range aircraft like 767, we already see cargo 767s, 787, and A330 series.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Saw this on the Eppley Twitter feed this morning:



How often do airlines have special flights like this? I'm familiar with chartered flights, but this seems different than a chartered flight.

[Bob from Omaha]

A lot. To lots of sports events.

[Greg S]

Saw this on the Eppley Twitter feed this morning:



How often do airlines have special flights like this? I'm familiar with chartered flights, but this seems different than a chartered flight.

I think it's fairly recent. They are doing this in Kansas City for a few of the Chiefs away games.

2 budget airlines add flights for NFL games this year, including 4 Chiefs matchups BY JOSEPH HERNANDEZ UPDATED JUNE 10, 2024 3:26 PM A water cannon greeted a Southwest Airlines jet, the first flight to land at the new $1.5 billion single terminal on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2022, at Kansas City International Airport. TAMMY LJUNGBLAD [email protected] Away games just got easier for Chiefs fans to travel to. Southwest Airlines and Allegiant Airlines each said this week that they responded to customer demand for NFL games, and added more flights to help fans get to and from cities where the action is happening. Of the 21 games Southwest added additional flights, four are for Chiefs games, while one Chiefs game received a new flight from Allegiant. Weeks where Southwest added additional flights for traveling fans in Kansas City include: Week 1, when the Ravens come to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for a rematch of the AFC Championship Game on Thursday, Sept. 5, to kick off the NFL season. The flight takes fans from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to Kansas City International Airport. There are four different nonstop flights available the day before the game. Week 5, when the Chiefs host the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 7 for Monday Night Football. The flights take off from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to KCI. There are two nonstop flights available the day before the game. Week 8, when Kansas City heads to Las Vegas to play AFC West rival Raiders on Sunday, Oct. 27. Four nonstop trips fly from KCI to Harry Reid International Airport the day before the game. Week 11, when a rematch of the AFC Divisional round takes place at Orchard Park between the Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Nov. 17. The flight takes fans from KCI to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. There is one nonstop flight available two days before the game, and 17 flights with one layover available the day before the game. You can book these flights on Southwest’s website. Allegiant Airlines also added an additional flight from KCI to Las Vegas for the Raiders game. Fans can book flights to leave Kansas City Oct. 26 and return Oct. 28. You can book this flight on Allegiant’s website. If you’re looking to travel ahead of the games, check out The Star’s guide for cheap summer destinations — all under $100.

Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/a ... rylink=cpy

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/a ... 04109.html

[Mr.Nuke]

You are correct Nuke.
I'd walk back my statement and agree that June is typically the busiest month.

It’s all good. I had the data easily accessible and had never looked at it that way. There were some minor surprises in there for me too.

Just by looking at Google maps 14L/32R could be stretch another 750 ft to 9250
And 18/36 could be extended 1000 ft to 9154. I think that could comfortably handle long range aircraft like 767, we already see cargo 767s, 787, and A330 series.

Again though, the question is why would you need to expand? I don’t think Eppley has ever seen a 787 (assume you meant 777 there), but as you note, the airport has already handled wide body aircraft in the typical manner the airport is likely to see widebody aircraft for the foreseeable future i.e. cargo flights, Nebraska flying to Dublin on the A330, or the FEI horse 777 charters.

How often do airlines have special flights like this? I'm familiar with chartered flights, but this seems different than a chartered flight.

Airlines will announce a handful of one offs like these every year. United likes to do one every few years into Lincoln for a football game. These are 50% marketing 50% legitimate business opportunity.

This was AA's release last year for 14 one off college football related flights
https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2 ... fault.aspx

[damonhynes]

Speaking of irregular operations (IRROPS), remember when the 'Skers played Hawai'i @ Honolulu in 1976? 18K fans flew out to the game. Braniff's Fat Albert 747 diverted from its usual DFW-HNL (replaced by DC-8-61s) to do at least one OMA-HNL flight. United laid on several 747 flights from OMA as well.

[zedmib]

Mr. Nuke,
I did mean the 787 since the 787-8 would be the best balance of capacity and range for long haul international flights from Omaha to Europe or Asia. Anything beyond the range of the longest range single isle aircraft like the 737 Max 9 or the A321 NEO XLR.
Whether we can get long haul international routes is the question.

On a side note. I witnessed the AN124 depart Eppley. It used less than 6000 feet of runway to break ground but it was not at maximum weight. It was taking oversized paving equipment from its factory in Iowa to Russia to pave a runway.

[NEDodger]

As much as I would love the long haul flights to Europe or Asia, I just can’t see that happening due to the smaller population base here. Kansas City would be snapping those up.

[Mr.Nuke]

Mr. Nuke,
I did mean the 787 since the 787-8 would be the best balance of capacity and range for long haul international flights from Omaha to Europe or Asia.

Yeah we can probably stop right there...

Whether we can get long haul international routes is the question.

Is it an actual question if you know the answer is no?

[Bearcat06]

Sitting at MSP terminal 2 waiting to fly back to OMA right now. I'm wondering if the remodel at OMA will be a bit similar. MSP T2 has 14 gates, all on the north side of the building. They have two TSA check points vs one cental like OMA will have and ticketing is downstairs vs upstairs. They also don't have a central food court area, but they do have a couple full service restaurants, along with a Subway, a couple grab and go stores and coffee shops. Here's some pics.

[skinzfan23]

I think overall that looks good but hopefully Omaha will have a little more natural light.

[FishFighter92]

If they have a specific widebody gate, maybe they can do a glass jetway (or two) on that gate. Or perhaps the international gate can have a glass jetway.
The new gate for Allegiant has a very long walk down a two-different-century-looking jetway.

[damonhynes]

I flew through MCI in February and those glass jetways aren't all that. Barely a year old and the glass was hard-water stained.

[Bearcat06]

I flew through MCI in February and those glass jetways aren't all that. Barely a year old and the glass was hard-water stained.

Maybe we can still find room in the budget for a water softener?

[the1wags]

7/7/24

[Brad]

7/7/24

Thanks for the update photos! I've been through Eppley 4 times in the past 10 days and taken zero... LOL

[Brad]

Construction went vertical on the terminal expansion:

[skinzfan23]

Wonder if those were there Monday? We flew out and I don’t remember seeing them but maybe they were

[Mr.Nuke]

Construction went vertical on the terminal expansion:

Good to see stuff starting to go vertical. Based on the location and timing, that is still the new CUP going vertical and not a lot directly tied to the terminal itself, but glad to see progress!

Ignore the circle below that is the existing CUP

[Bob from Omaha]

The old CUP was where Gate 21 was?

(For the unwashed masses CUP is Central Utilities Plant)

[Mr.Nuke]

The old CUP was where Gate 21 was?

(For the unwashed masses CUP is Central Utilities Plant)

Yes, and it obviously needs to move from there as that is exactly where the "central" link to the unified terminal is going to go. The new CUP of course is being built immediately to the South of the existing one. I had the rare pleasure of being assigned "gate" 21 (not really a gate..) one late evening arrival on a Continental (ExpressJet) flight from Newark when it was like -5 below at 11:00 p.m. in January. Not really a pleasant experience.

[ProgKingHughesker]

Was Gate 21 decommissioned because of 9/11 and inability to get TSA stuff there or was there another reason?

[Mr.Nuke]

Was Gate 21 decommissioned because of 9/11 and inability to get TSA stuff there or was there another reason?

Keep in mind passenger screening via metal detectors was mandatory beginning in the early 70's so that "gate" was probably capable of doing pre 9/11 screenings for departures (obviously doubt it has been used for many if any departures post 9/11). The bigger reason for the decline in use is more likely airline consolidation.

This was the gate layout for Eppley in 1989, a few years after the current terminal setup was inaugurated via the website departed flights.




Per the above, even by 1989 at the latest, that gate was identified as the commuter gates area. I'd assume it probably was from the get go in the "new" terminal scheme. In the wake of de-regulation in the late 70's a lot of small operators popped up as carriers were now free to fly wherever they wanted to. On a 1985 schedule Eppley had flights to Columbus, Norfolk, Grand Island, Lincoln, Hastings, Sioux City, Wichita, Kansas City, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Sioux Falls, and St. Louis on various small "airlines" that would’ve operated out of Gate 21.

Those little truly regional operators don't exist anymore. They were mostly gone by the mid 1990's. And then beyond that you had massive consolidation on the bigger airline scale in the 1980's in the wake of deregulation and even further consolidation in the 2000's leading Eppley to be in a state of excess gate capacity. With excess gates and a shift towards larger planes there hasn't been a need to use that area.

[Bob from Omaha]

June numbers are out. Amazing +30% year over year increase.

Just kidding. As of now not out yet. Nuke will update asap

[Mr.Nuke]

June numbers are out. Amazing +30% year over year increase.

Just kidding. As of now not out yet. Nuke will update asap

It is a little odd that they aren't out yet. They should've obviously been released yesterday afternoon. On a potentially related note they also have a job listing right now where one of the tasks is

Update monthly tenant gross receipts reports, airline landing and apron fee reports and airline traffic statistics reports.

https://flyoma.hireclick.com/jobboard/


Yesterday afternoon was also the extended deadline for proposals on the restaurant/concessions RFP.

[Bob from Omaha]

I messaged them on their facebook page. Most of the time over the years they respond.

With regard to Gate 21, it was part of the former terminal arm. That was how you got to the gates.

[Mr.Nuke]

Bob's message came through.

514,758 passengers for the month, breaking last month's all time record. Up 8.8% over June of last year and up 6.8% year-to-date.

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

[Bob from Omaha]

They are quick to respond when I message them. I messaged them at 5:28pm Omaha time, they saw it at 5:46 & responded at 9:15 this morning. Pretty efficient.

As for the numbers, everyone was impressive except for United. Any thoughts regarding UA Nuke?

At this rate it's not a stretch for OMA to break right through 5 1/2 million. It also appears that this growth is not because of new destinations but increased frequency and larger planes to current destinations.

[skinzfan23]

Wow that is impressive, broke the monthly record by 27,000!!!