Will Rogers World Airport

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Will Rogers World Airport


19 February 1995
IATA: OKC – ICAO: KOKC – FAA: OKC
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Oklahoma City Airport Trust
Serves Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Elevation AMSL 1,295 ft / 395 m
Coordinates 35°23′35″N 097°36′03″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 (2006)
Aircraft operations 108,646
Based aircraft 53
Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1]

Will Rogers World Airport (IATA: OKC, ICAO: KOKC, FAA LID: OKC) is located in southwestern Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Will Rogers airport (as it is often called) is located 6 statute miles from downtown Oklahoma City and is the principal commercial airport of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area.

The airport is named in honor of comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, who was killed in a plane crash.

In 2006, over 3.6 million passengers[2] passed through Will Rogers World Airport, making it the busiest airport in the state in terms of passenger traffic.

Contents

[edit] Terminal and Expansion

Will Rogers World Airport (WRWA) has undergone a massive renovation in recent years. The 1960s-era twin concourses of the old terminal building were demolished to make way for a larger, expanded terminal with modern functionalities with integrated concourses and high ceilings.

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

Passenger departure areas at OKC-Will Rogers World Airport.
Passenger departure areas at OKC-Will Rogers World Airport.


There were also updates outside the buildings, such as landscaping improvements.

Phase-II of the renovation project was officially completed in November 2006.[3] The terminal currently has 17 gates via the West Concourse and Main Terminal airside in addition to expanded baggage claim areas, restaurant, bar, and retail space. [4]

Will Rogers has wi-fi options available throughout the facility. The airport recently opened cafes in the passenger departure and arrival areas, to provide an option for guests who are not flying passengers. [5]

The airport is currently seeing construction of a new parking facility, which will increase capacity by a reported 40% due to increase passenger demand. Currently there are roughly 5,500 parking spaces at the airport.

There is a Phase-III capital plan 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. This will be undertaken as passenger traffic warrants. [6] Phase III could be added when passenger traffic and airline needs exceeded the capacity of Phase II."

AIRPORT EXPANSION UPDATE: As of February 2008, Terminal Expansion Plan Phase III -- Terminal and Concourse Expansion -- is underway. Will Rogers World Airport officials are meeting with qualified consultants to provide planning services and documents for the purpose of expanding the existing Terminal Building and adding a new Concourse for Nine (9) new gates to the east of the existing Terminal Building. The start date for the construction of the addition to the terminal, has not yet been determined. When completed the airport will have (a total of) 26 boarding gates.

[edit] Other Notables

The Federal Aviation Administration has major facilities on the airport grounds, including the headquarters for the 'Air Route Traffic Control' and Training Academy. 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.

Will Rogers World Airport is also home to Southwest Airlines Reservations Center.

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.

Will Rogers World Airport is home to MetroTech's aviation career center, and is also usually the site of the annual Aerospace America airshow.

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.

Will Rogers World Airport is unusual in that its name only mentions a famous person and makes no reference to its city location, much like John F. Kennedy International. It is also one of only a handful of major airports not to use the "International" designation and is the only airport to use the term "World" in its name instead of "International".

Will Rogers World Airport also 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.

[edit] Airlines and destinations

Will Rogers World Airport provides the Oklahoma City area over 80 departures a day, with daily non-stop service to 23 cities. Many of the flights continue as direct service to other major markets and international destinations.

A Shuttle by United Boeing 737 aircraft at the Oklahoma City airport.
A Shuttle by United Boeing 737 aircraft at the Oklahoma City airport.

[edit] Passenger Airlines

[edit] Charter Airlines

  • Allegiant Air Gate 1 (Cancún [seasonal], Las Vegas, Puerto Vallarta [seasonal])

[edit] Cargo Airlines

[edit] 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 has a route (METRO route 11) to/from the airport.

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.

[edit] Key Airport Management

  • Mark Kranenburg, Director of Airports
  • Jennifer James McCollum, Public Information & Marketing Director
  • Larry Kettler, TSA Federal Security Director
  • Kim Wagner, TSA Customer Service Manager
  • Don Brown, Chairman Oklahoma City Airport Trust

[edit] History

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

Known USAAF groups stationed at Will Rogers Field were:

  • 409th Bombardment Group (Light) 1 Jun 1943 - Oct 1943
  • 410th Bombardment Group (Light) 1 Jul 1943 - Oct 1943
  • 411th Bombardment Group (Light) 1 Aug 1943 - 15 Aug 1943
  • 9th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) 1 Oct 1943 - 6 May 1944
  • 2d Reconnaissance Group 7 Oct 1943 - 1 May 1944
  • 70th Reconnaissance Group 14-30 Nov 1943

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

Will Rogers World Airport permanently hosts the Ninety Nines Museum of Women Pilots. With the dedication of the 99s Museum of Women Pilots, the body of knowledge concerning who we are and what we have accomplished over our 70+ year history now has a permanent home. This handsome new facility is located on more than 5,000 square feet, occupying the entire second floor of our International Headquarters building on Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. It is now the safe and secure 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. Our new 99s Museum of Women Pilots opens new doors for students and scholars, writers and researchers - and it provides opportunities for all of The Ninety-Nines of tomorrow to sharpen their knowledge and awareness of our special and continuing place in the history of flying.

99s Museum of Women Pilots 4300 Amelia Earhart Road Oklahoma City, OK 73159 Telephone: 405-685-9990 Email: museum@ninety-nines.org Before you visit the museum, it is suggested that you call ahead

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ FAA Airport Master Record for OKC (Form 5010 PDF), effective 2007-12-20
  2. ^ http://www.flyokc.com/releases/december06.pdf
  3. ^ http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=5674227 KSWO TV report
  4. ^ OKC Terminal Guide
  5. ^ OKC Terminal Guide
  6. ^ OKC Phase-III

[edit] External links


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