Omaha Eppley Airfield - CONSTRUCTION

[nativeomahan]

My guess is that in early 2027 when new gates and central pavilion open connected to the present south terminal that the north terminal will be on the verge of being closed for reconstruction. I don’t know how else the airport can complete their construction project.

[Mr.Nuke]

My guess is that in early 2027 when new gates and central pavilion open connected to the present south terminal that the north terminal will be on the verge of being closed for reconstruction. I don’t know how else the airport can complete their construction project.

That is the plan...

[nativeomahan]

Flying out of Eppley yesterday morning I noticed that the new jetways are in place in the newly constructed concourse located immediately north of the south terminal.

[InTheRoom]

The Mill in South Terminal (A) has metal framing going into the structure. Making progress. It may not actually open or be ready for a while, but I'd bet they have a month left before construction is complete on it.

[djc311]

I can't wait until the crappy bar/restaurants are gone - I'd rather have a McDonald's in there to eat at.

[BuildTaller]

I can't wait until the crappy bar/restaurants are gone - I'd rather have a McDonald's in there to eat at.

I liked that restaurant outside of security. I ate there several times.

[NEDodger]

I can't wait until the crappy bar/restaurants are gone - I'd rather have a McDonald's in there to eat at.

I liked that restaurant outside of security. I ate there several times.

Same. I thought they were fairly reasonably priced for an “airport restaurant” too. Especially in comparison to Cracky McGee’s or whatever.

[djc311]

If it's the one at Terminal A that had the "inside" dining area and bar, I never did try that place... maybe called the Hangar or something?

In any case, I personally was referring to the |expletive| down in the terminal areas. As I mentioned in a different post awhile back, I thought they served Godfathers mini pizzas... I ordered a pepperoni pizza before my last flight and it was definitely not Godfathers and it was burnt to a crisp. Also, tasted bad (reminded me of Dominoes back in the cardboard-tasting pizza days).

[NEDodger]

If it's the one at Terminal A that had the "inside" dining area and bar, I never did try that place... maybe called the Hangar or something?

Yep - I think it went by that name and also Eppley Landing?

[CrankyOldDude]

If the past is any indication it's about time for an update from BuildOMA.

[CrankyOldDude]

Nice pick of the terminal progress on OMA facebook page

[Louie]

Nice pick of the terminal progress on OMA facebook page

Great view and update.

[djc311]

Definitely a 1000% improvement over what's been there for decades.

[thenewguy]

the bright white looks a lot better than the cream color

[Brad]

This will be a nice addition for Business Travelers. For some reason I thought it was going to be done in the spring when the new security area opens, but apparently not until 2028...

[djc311]

This will be a nice addition for Business Travelers. For some reason I thought it was going to be done in the spring when the new security area opens, but apparently not until 2028...

I'm assuming the duration is due to them wanting to leave the road open for vehicles underneath it? I can't imagine the structure itself should normally take 1.5 years to build. They shouldn't even have weather delays as the roof is installed, making the elements (other than cold or heat) from causing any problems.

[GenX]

This will be a nice addition for Business Travelers. For some reason I thought it was going to be done in the spring when the new security area opens, but apparently not until 2028...

I'm assuming the duration is due to them wanting to leave the road open for vehicles underneath it? I can't imagine the structure itself should normally take 1.5 years to build. They shouldn't even have weather delays as the roof is installed, making the elements (other than cold or heat) from causing any problems.

That canopy is definitely going to constrain any heavy lifting and make construction a bit more challenging.

[Ben]

I almost wonder if they'll temporarily remove roof glass panels in order to lift.

My bigger question is the additional elevator bank and "lobbies" that'll be needed to accommodate. This will further eat into the south garage capacity.

In addition it likely will differentiate it as the "more convenient" of the 2 garages - given all 3 skywalks, direct access into security, etc and will likely lead to differentiated pricing... South is already usually the more full of the 2 garages, and this will make it even more imbalanced.

[Greg S]

I almost wonder if they'll temporarily remove roof glass panels in order to lift.

My bigger question is the additional elevator bank and "lobbies" that'll be needed to accommodate. This will further eat into the south garage capacity.

In addition it likely will differentiate it as the "more convenient" of the 2 garages - given all 3 skywalks, direct access into security, etc and will likely lead to differentiated pricing... South is already usually the more full of the 2 garages, and this will make it even more imbalanced.

Was this not in the initial plans?

[Brad]

I almost wonder if they'll temporarily remove roof glass panels in order to lift.

My bigger question is the additional elevator bank and "lobbies" that'll be needed to accommodate. This will further eat into the south garage capacity.

In addition it likely will differentiate it as the "more convenient" of the 2 garages - given all 3 skywalks, direct access into security, etc and will likely lead to differentiated pricing... South is already usually the more full of the 2 garages, and this will make it even more imbalanced.

Was this not in the initial plans?

Not sure about initial, but its been in for quite a while. That said, I'm sure they can building it on the ground and move it in to place with Hydraulic jacks. Its been done before.

[Greg S]

I almost wonder if they'll temporarily remove roof glass panels in order to lift.

My bigger question is the additional elevator bank and "lobbies" that'll be needed to accommodate. This will further eat into the south garage capacity.

In addition it likely will differentiate it as the "more convenient" of the 2 garages - given all 3 skywalks, direct access into security, etc and will likely lead to differentiated pricing... South is already usually the more full of the 2 garages, and this will make it even more imbalanced.

Was this not in the initial plans?

Not sure about initial, but its been in for quite a while. That said, I'm sure they can building it on the ground and move it in to place with Hydraulic jacks. Its been done before.

Makes sense. I thought I had seen it previously.

[Mr.Nuke]

My bigger question is the additional elevator bank and "lobbies" that'll be needed to accommodate. This will further eat into the south garage capacity.

You are going to lose a handful of parking spots on each level to another elevator bank, but net/net that garage is going to end up eventually getting hundreds of spots back eventually* when the terminal roadway opens up.

In addition it likely will differentiate it as the "more convenient" of the 2 garages - given all 3 skywalks, direct access into security, etc and will likely lead to differentiated pricing... South is already usually the more full of the 2 garages, and this will make it even more imbalanced.

That level of the South garage already is predominately "premier" parking at a higher rate than any other parking at the airport with a direct access ramp to it. So that is already happening...

Was this not in the initial plans?

No. I found it last year and posted on page 2 of this thread. With that said, the references I found were actually from the prior year that we missed (Fall of 2024). That was well after the terminal design work had been finalized and construction on the canopy and the terminal itself was already underway. Yesterday was the first time we had renderings of it, as all of the prior renderings of the terminal and or roadway were done prior to it being considered.

Not sure about initial, but its been in for quite a while. That said, I'm sure they can building it on the ground and move it in to place with Hydraulic jacks. Its been done before.

Which still wouldn't explain it taking over a year to me at least... Especially if it is being constructed separately in being lifted into place, I'd assume the limiting time factor is more the work in the garage to put the elevators in, no? At this point by saying 2028 they're basically saying this skywalk is going to talk as long (or nearly as long) as demolishing the North terminal and building the additional gates/FIS facility. I get that one doesn't have to deal with impediments like the roadway there, but that seems crazy.

*I'll post a bit more on this tomorrow because there is stuff in that press release that most of the media glossed over

[InTheRoom]

Summer 2026 Update:

https://www.buildoma.com/updates/summer ... on-update/

[almighty_tuna]

Woohoo!! Estimated opening dates!!

South terminal passengers will use new gates by end of 2026

Central Pavilion opens early 2027

Baggage handling opens mid-2027

[TitosBuritoBarn]

It's looking really good!

Two random notes: It seems like that wood panel ceiling design is being used in nearly all new airport construction these days.

Also, a stand-up comedian I follow on Instagram posted recently making light of smaller midwestern airports "where you have gates that are numbered, like, 2. Not C2 or A2, just.. 2." It would appear that after the two terminals are unified we will shift from being an airport that identifies its gates with a letter-number combination to just a number.

[nebport5]

It's looking really good!

Two random notes: It seems like that wood panel ceiling design is being used in nearly all new airport construction these days.

Also, a stand-up comedian I follow on Instagram posted recently making light of smaller midwestern airports "where you have gates that are numbered, like, 2. Not C2 or A2, just.. 2." It would appear that after the two terminals are unified we will shift to being an airport that identifies its gates with a letter-number combination to just a number.

Currently we don't have any numbers that repeat and people still have a hard time distinguishing between A and B.

[skinzfan23]

Looking good.

[Brad]

South terminal passengers will use new gates by end of 2026

Central Pavilion opens early 2027

These are not new, but the good news is that they haven't changed and they are staying on schedule! One thing we were told on our tour back in March is that when the Central Pavilion opens in early 2027, the north terminal demolition will start almost immediately.

[Mr.Nuke]

In early 2027, the new Central Pavilion and more of the Concourse will open, providing an entirely new travel experience for all passengers ahead of next summer’s busy travel period. Build OMA is expected to conclude in late 2028 with the opening of the remaining gates and the international arrivals facility, along with the return of passenger pickup and drop off to the terminal front drive.

People know I'm typically not critical of the airport authority on here. Overall they've done a great job. I realize the 3rd skywalk was added later in the project, but this seems absurd. The thing that basically kicked off the terminal modernization work is going to end up taking the longest to open up. 2028 will be about 5 years of regular traffic not being able to use the terminal pickup and dropoff lanes.

I get why they started it when the did. It was easier to design, they had federal funding to use it or lose it and had paused the terminal design work due to the pandemic. I also get why, much like with the canopy going in they want to limit the number of people traveling in the area of work (which also is somewhat ironic, because you are opening an new central terminal but the main door is likely going to be limited for a couple of years). But I'm doubting their plan going into this was to have that shutoff for 5 years.

[Greg S]

South terminal passengers will use new gates by end of 2026

Central Pavilion opens early 2027

These are not new, but the good news is that they haven't changed and they are staying on schedule! One thing we were told on our tour back in March is that when the Central Pavilion opens in early 2027, the north terminal demolition will start almost immediately.

For the amount of construction that has been going on, they've done an amazing job of still making it easy to fly into and out of Omaha.

[Mr.Nuke]

For the amount of construction that has been going on, they've done an amazing job of still making it easy to fly into and out of Omaha.

I agree completely overall they've done a great job. Kudos to the airport authority, Corgan, Holder, and the subcontractors for designing a new structure essentially on top on an existing footprint and keeping things operating all while it was/is happening and of course getting it done pretty much on time so far.

[riceweb]

My coworkers who are frequent travelers said that Delta is moving to the new gates in October, anyone else able to confirm this?

To be clear, this would be new gates only, not the central pavilion.

[GrowUpFrances]

My coworkers who are frequent travelers said that Delta is moving to the new gates in October, anyone else able to confirm this?

To be clear, this would be new gates only, not the central pavilion.

I flew Delta this weekend and I believe we deplaned onto one of the new jet bridges. FWIW the south terminal was still very much under construction this weekend, so it'd be kind of surprising if the new gates are ready in October, but hopefully!

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I flew through Eppley over the weekend through the north terminal. That area just looks so tired now and the new terminal cannot come fast enough.

I was surprised how quiet the space under the new canopy is. No wind, no voices or vehicle noise was noticeable. It was unexpectedly peaceful.

The old, main parking garage will look out of place once everything is with the terminal is done. It definitely retains a 1980s look to the rest of the airport's much more recent additions and renovations.

[skinzfan23]

According to this article they are opening some soon:

Construction at Eppley Airfield 60% complete as holiday travel picks up

New gates opening ahead of schedule
The Build OMA Terminal Modernization Program started in 2024. The new canopy was finished in March. Officials say they’re ahead of schedule on parts of the project.

“Instead of waiting for February, we’re going to start to open four new gates connected to the existing south concourse. Where travelers will find all new amenities in there. There are much larger hold rooms, new finishes, larger restrooms, and other technological enhancements,” said Steve McCoy, chief strategy officer for the Omaha Airport Authority.

Mill Coffee and Tea will also open in the existing south concourse this fall. McCoy said crews are working to open the central terminal next year.

[GrowUpFrances]

The old, main parking garage will look out of place once everything is with the terminal is done. It definitely retains a 1980s look to the rest of the airport's much more recent additions and renovations.

Yea, as I was exiting the airport toward the parking garage, I couldn't help but think it'd be nice it they incorporated some hanging plants, or artwork, or some type of lighting on the garage to make it feel a bit more modern and inviting under that new glass canopy.

[Mr.Nuke]

According to this article they are opening some soon:

Yeah we've known that since at least July.

https://growomaha.com/eppley-airfield-s ... r-in-june/

[Mr.Nuke]

My coworkers who are frequent travelers said that Delta is moving to the new gates in October, anyone else able to confirm this?

It would make sense, we know some of those new gates are going to open in October.

FWIW the south terminal was still very much under construction this weekend, so it'd be kind of surprising if the new gates are ready in October, but hopefully!

The two things are basically independent of each other. They've been working on the new stuff unimpeded. They're obviously limited hour wise what they can do in the existing South concourse, gate areas especially. I'm still betting the new part of the terminal has to open for them to fully renovate the South concourse.

[riceweb]

And once Delta moves to these new gates, are we thinking United or Southwest will slide over? Seems like it would be a real mess unless they created a connector from the North Terminal to the new central Terminal?

I'm just wondering about things like ticketing/baggage/etc during this transition point for United and Southwest

[Brad]

When the new TSA/Central Pavilion opens in 6-8 months, United and Southwest will move to the new part, baggage and ticketing will move to the second floor on both sides of the TSA and the north terminal will be closed and demolished all happening at nearly the same time. There will be no need for a connection to the old north terminal.