Will Rogers World Airport

Will Rogers World Airport
19 February 1995
IATA: OKC – ICAO: KOKC – FAA LID: OKC
Summary
Airport type		Public
Owner		Oklahoma City Airport Trust
Operator		Oklahoma City Department of Airports
Serves		Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Location		Oklahoma City
Elevation AMSL		1,295 ft / 395 m
Coordinates		35°23′35″N 097°36′03″W / 35.39306°N 97.60083°W / 35.39306; -97.60083
Website		www.flyokc.com
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	ft	m
13/31	7,800	2,377	Asphalt/Concrete
17L/35R	9,802	2,988	Concrete
17R/35L	9,800	2,987	Concrete
18/36	3,078	938	Asphalt
Statistics (2010)
Passengers			3,466,127
Aircraft operations			122,485
Source: Will Rogers World Airport[1]

Will Rogers World Airport

Location of Will Rogers World Airport, Oklahoma

Will Rogers World Airport (IATA: OKC, ICAO: KOKC, FAA LID: OKC), also known as Will Rogers Airport or simply Will Rogers, is located in southwestern Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 6 miles (8 km) from downtown and is the principal commercial airport of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The local airport authority, citizens, and news organizations commonly refer to the airport as "WRWA", yet the official industry designations are "OKC" and "KOKC".

The airport is named in honor of comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native, and holds the distinction of being named after a person who died in an airplane crash (as does the city's other major airport, Wiley Post Airport - both men died in the same crash). Will Rogers World Airport is unusual in that it is the only airport to use the designation "World," and that its name makes no reference to its city location. Although it offers some customs and immigration services, it has no international destinations.

In 2010, over 3.46 million passengers passed through Will Rogers World Airport, up 2.4% over 2009.^[1] It is Oklahoma's busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic and its busiest cargo airport in terms of pounds of cargo carried, with over 68.5 million pounds of cargo carried in 2010.^[1]

History

During World War II, Will Rogers Field was a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces. Many fighter and bomber units were activated and received their initial training there.

Known USAAF groups stationed at Will Rogers Field were:

• 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Jul 1942 - 28 August 1942
• 46th Bombardment Group (Light) Nov 1942 - October 1943
• 47th Bombardment Group (Light) 16 February 1942 - 18 July 1942
• 48th Bombardment Group (Light) 22 May 1941 - 7 February 1942
• 86th Bombardment Group (Light) 10 February 1942 - 20 June 1942
• 311th Bombardment Group (Light) 2 March 1942 - 4 July 1942
• 312th Bombardment Group (Light) Jun 1942 - August 1942
• 409th Bombardment Group (Light) 1 June 1943 - October 1943
• 410th Bombardment Group (Light) 1 July 1943 - October 1943
• 411th Bombardment Group (Light) 1 August 1943 - 15 August 1943
• 416th Bombardment Group (Light) 5 February 1943 - 4 June 1943
• 417th Bombardment Group (Light) 28 March 1943 - 4 August 1943
• 9th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) 1 October 1943 - 6 May 1944
• 2d Reconnaissance Group 7 October 1943 - 1 May 1944
• 70th Tactical Reconnaissance Group 14–30 November 1943

After completion of their initial training, these units were reassigned to other airfields for secondary training prior to their deployment overseas.

By the late 1990s, the 1960s-era terminal building was deemed unsuitable by the Oklahoma City Airport Trust. Following the adoption of a three phase master plan, preparations for renovating the airport were launched in 2001. The old twin concourses (visible in the 1995 photograph) were demolished to make way for a larger, expanded terminal with integrated concourses, high ceilings, and modern facilities.

Great Plains Airlines, a regional airline based in Tulsa, made Will Rogers World Airport a hub in 2001, operating non-stop flights to Washington-Dulles and St. Louis, among other destinations. The airline ultimately desired access to other east and west coast markets, but financial problems forced it to declare bankruptcy and cease operations in 2004.

The airport constructed a new parking garage which increased capacity by a reported^{[by whom?]} 40% due to increased passenger demand. Currently there are roughly 5,500 parking spaces at the airport.

A Phase-III project exists which calls for the construction of a new concourse to the east, with at least eight additional gates as well as expanded retail, restaurant, and baggage areas. As of August 2009, this phase is on hold due to the downturn in the aviation industry and the resulting decrease in passenger demand.^[2]

Terminal

Will Rogers World Airport has one terminal with 17 gates via the West Concourse (Gates 1-12) and Central Concourse (Gates 14-24). Gates on the south side of the building use even numbers while those on the north side use odd numbers. Hence, many odd-numbered gates are "left out" due to the terminal layout.

The architecture of the building uses native stone along with loft-ceilings, plate glass and brushed metal. Compared to the old concourses, the improvements provided a more open feel to the terminal waiting areas, similar to larger hub airports without being quite so large in scale.

Will Rogers World Airport officials approved a contract with Frankfurt Short Bruza Associates, P.C. in 2008 to begin planning for expanding the airport.^[3] However, officials were forced to postpone the expansion plan because of the industry-wide decline in passenger traffic. If completed, the existing terminal building would be expanded to the east and a new passenger concourse (the "International Concourse") with nine gates would be added, increasing the number of boarding gates to 26. The new facility would have immigration and customs on the lower level, and would serve international flights.

Terminal amenities

Store	Type	Location
Neighbor's Coffee Café	Concession	Pre-Security, East Security Checkpoint
CNBC News Express OKC	News/Retail	Pre-Security, West Security Checkpoint
Capital City Travelmart	Retail	Gate 20
Sonic	Restaurant	Central Concourse Food-Court
Moe's Southwest Grill	Restaurant	Central Concourse Food-Court
The Salt Lick BBQ	Restaurant	Central Concourse Food-Court
Schlotzsky's	Restaurant	Central Concourse Food-Court
Bar 1907	Bar	Central Concourse Between Gates 18, 20
CNBC News Oklahoma City	News/Retail	Gate 14
Big 12 Conference Store	Retail	Gate 14
The Shoppes@OKC	Retail	West Concourse Between Gates 5, 9
Capital City Travelmart	Retail	West Concourse Between Gates 5, 9
Oklahoma Marketplace	Retail	West Concourse Between Gates 5, 9
Redbud Bar	Bar	West Concourse Between Gates 8, 10
Route 66 Grille	Restaurant	West Concourse Between Gates 8, 10
Java Dave's Coffee	Concession	West Concourse Between Gates 8, 10

Airlines and destinations

Will Rogers World Airport provides the Oklahoma City area with over 75 scheduled departures a day, with non-stop service to 21 airports. Many of the flights continue as direct service to other major U.S. markets and international destinations.

Airlines	Destinations	Gate
American Airlines	Dallas/Fort Worth	4,6
American Eagle	Chicago-O’Hare, Los Angeles	4,6
Continental Connection operated by Colgan Air	Houston-Intercontinental	9,10
Continental Express operated by ExpressJet Airlines	Houston-Intercontinental, Newark	9,10
Delta Air Lines	Atlanta	20,22,24
Delta Connection operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines	Atlanta, Detroit, Memphis	20,22,24
Delta Connection operated by Comair	Memphis	20,22,24
Delta Connection operated by Compass Airlines	Detroit	20,22,24
Delta Connection operated by Pinnacle Airlines	Atlanta, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul	20,22,24
Delta Connection operated by SkyWest Airlines	Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City	20,22,24
Frontier Airlines	Denver	2
Frontier Airlines operated by Republic Airlines	Denver [ends January 3, 2012], [resumes March 1, 2012]	2
Southwest Airlines	Baltimore, Chicago-Midway [begins June 3, 2012][4], Dallas-Love, Denver, Houston-Hobby, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, St. Louis	14,16,18
United Airlines	Denver	3,5
United Express operated by ExpressJet Airlines	Chicago-O'Hare, Denver	3,5
United Express operated by ExpressJet Airlines	Houston-Intercontinental	9,10
United Express operated by GoJet Airlines	Chicago-O’Hare, Washington-Dulles	3,5
United Express operated by SkyWest Airlines	Chicago-O’Hare, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington-Dulles	3,5
United Express operated by SkyWest Airlines	Houston-Intercontinental	9,10
United Express operated by Trans States Airlines	Chicago-O’Hare, Houston-Intercontinental	3,5
United Express operated by Trans States Airlines	Houston-Intercontinental	9,10

A Delta Air Lines MD-88 at Will Rogers Airport

A 'Shuttle by United Airlines' Boeing 737-500 at Gate 5

Cargo airlines

• FedEx Express
• UPS Airlines

BAX Global has a lease with the airport and does operate cargo facilities on the airport, but they do not offer any scheduled flights into Will Rogers.

Various FAR Part 135 Operators (Charter, Nonscheduled Service) operate in and out of the airport, such as small cargo feeder airlines operating small propeller aircraft. As well as larger charter companies doing military charters, vacations, etc.

Regular commercial traffic

• Airbus A310 (FedEx Express), A319/A320 (United Airlines, Frontier Airlines)
• Boeing 737-300/500/700 (Southwest Airlines), 757-200 (UPS Airlines)
• Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 (Continental Connection operated by Colgan Air); CRJ-100/200/700/900 (American Eagle, Delta Connection operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Comair, Pinnacle Airlines, United Express operated by GoJet, SkyWest)
• Cessna 208 Caravan (Martinaire)
• Embraer ERJ-190 (Frontier Airlines operated by Republic Airlines; ERJ-170 (Frontier Airlines operated by Republic Airlines, Delta Connection operated by Compass Airlines); ERJ-145 (American Eagle, Continental Express operated by Expressjet, United Express operated by Trans States Airlines)
• McDonnell Douglas MD-82/83/88 (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines)

Accidents and incidents

A Rockwell Sabreliner, registration N5565 crashed on January 15, 1974 after descending below minimums on an ILS approach in low clouds and fog.

Transportation

Taxi and shuttle service is offered by a number of companies to downtown Oklahoma City. Greyhound and other intercity scheduled and charter bus companies provide service to the airport but this usually must be pre-arranged.

As for public transit, Metro Transit (Oklahoma City) has a route (METRO route 11) to/from the airport. However, this service operates only 3 times per day during non-peak times

Numerous hotels have the typical shuttle service to the airport and there are a number of car hire options available, most of which have on-site terminal facilities and business priority (frequent customer) loyalty options.

Other facilities

The Federal Bureau of Prisons Federal Transfer Center, Oklahoma City is located on the airport's western edge.^[5]

Key airport management

• Mark Kranenburg, A.A.E. - Director of Airports
• Scott Keith - Assistant Director of Airports
• Karen Carney - Marketing Coordinator
• Cheryl Pierce - Business Manager
• Jim Thrash - Operations Manager
• Tim Whitman - General Aviation Manager
• Phillip Florey - Maintenance Manager
• Donald Jones - Facilities Planner
• Larry Kettler - TSA Federal Security Director
• Kim Wagner - TSA Customer Service Manager
• Larry McAtee - Chairman Oklahoma City Airport Trust

Other notables

Will Rogers World Airport is used by military flights of the Oklahoma Air National Guard as well as air taxi and corporate service, although most of these flights utilize the Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma City's FAA-designated reliever facility.

U.S. Government

• The Federal Aviation Administration has major facilities on the airport grounds, including the headquarters for the 'Air Route Traffic Control', the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, and the FAA Training Academy, all housed at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center campus on the west part of the Airport.
• The U.S. Department of Justice has major Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) facilities at Will Rogers World Airport. The Federal Transfer Center and its principal air hub is built on the west side of the airport grounds, off of Taxiway G.
• The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol operate their national training facility on airport grounds. They operate a hangar on the north side of the airport, off of Taxiway N, north of the JPATS Hangar.

Private industry

• AAR Oklahoma has a major MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) facility and regional headquarters at Will Rogers World Airport; in addition there are other aircraft maintenance and AOG (aircraft on ground) organizations based there.
• Atlantic Aviation has a Fixed Base Operation located on the East Side of the airport, off of Taxiway H. This is Atlantic's first Greenfield project.
• Will Rogers World Airport is home to one of Southwest Airlines largest Reservation and Customer Care Centers.
• Partnering with Tinker AFB in presenting the annual Aerospace America airshow.
• ARINC has major facilities on the airport premises, including plans to double the size of their current facility.^[6]

Education

Will Rogers World Airport is home to Metro Technology Center's Aviation Career Campus. The Aviation center offers training to prepare aircraft maintenance technicians with Classrooms, practical labs, and separate airframe and powerplant hangars are available for academic and hands-on training. The Aviation Maintenance Technician program is an 18-month course that is certified and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The facility is on the west side of the airport, north of the FAA center.

Museums

• Will Rogers World Airport permanently hosts the Ninety Nines Museum of Women Pilots. The facility is located on more than 5,000 square feet (460 m²), occupying the entire second floor of the International Headquarters building. It features a repository for a unique collection of the papers, personal items and other historic artifacts of some of the most significant achievements and adventures of the international community of women pilots. Its library and exhibit areas will provide new insights into the role women pilots played in the development of aviation.

See also

	United States Air Force portal
	Military of the United States portal
	World War II portal

• Oklahoma World War II Army Airfields

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

1. ^ ^{a b c} http://flyokc.com/releases%5CDecember%2010%20Activity.pdf
2. ^ http://www.okc.biz/article/08-25-2009/Travelers_trickling_in_and_out_of_OKC.aspx
3. ^ Stefanie Brickman (2008-07-23). "Airport Trust votes to approve contract to expand Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport". OKC Business {Journal}. http://www.okcbusiness.com/print_article.asp?aID=45614. Retrieved 2008-08-10. ^{[dead link]}
4. ^ http://www.southwest.com/html/cs/investor_relations/if_news_releases.html?int=GFOOTER-ABOUT-PRESS
5. ^ "FTC Oklahoma City." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on February 21, 2011.
6. ^ ARINC Will Double Its Aircraft Service Center at OKC With a Second Commercial Hangar

External links

• Will Rogers World Airport, official site
• Oklahoma City Airport Current Flight Arrival & Departure Information
• FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective 20 October 2011
• FAA Terminal Procedures for OKC, effective 20 October 2011
• Resources for this airport:
  • AirNav airport information for KOKC
  • ASN accident history for OKC
  • FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
  • NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
  • SkyVector aeronautical chart for KOKC
  • FAA current OKC delay information