Eppley Airfield

Eppley Airfield (IATA: OMA, ICAO: KOMA, FAA LID: OMA), also known as Omaha Airport, is an airport in the midwestern United States, located three miles (5 km) northeast of downtown Omaha, Nebraska. On the west bank of the Missouri River in Douglas County, it is the largest airport in Nebraska, with more arrivals and departures than all other airports in the state combined. It is classified as a medium hub airport by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is owned and operated by the Omaha Airport Authority (OAA).

Eppley Airfield
The OMA logo, styled after the Dance of the Cranes statue situated on the airport grounds
December 2006
Summary
Owner/OperatorOmaha Airport Authority
ServesEastern Nebraska
and Western Iowa
Location4501 Abbott Drive Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Elevation AMSL984 ft / 300 m
Coordinates41.30°N 95.895°W / 41.30; -95.895
Websiteflyoma.com
Maps
FAA airport diagram
FAA airport diagram
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
14R/32L 9,502 2,896 Asphalt/concrete
14L/32R 8,501 2,591 Concrete
18/36 8,154 2,485 Asphalt/concrete
Statistics (2022)
Aircraft movements100,632
Passengers4,506,713
Air cargo (lbs)134,894,544
Based aircraft89 (2021)
Sources: FAA[1] and airport website[2][3]

History

Eppley Airfield began as an extension of Levi Carter Park near East Omaha in 1925. That year, the City of Omaha acquired 200 acres (0.8 km2) of cleared land on the east side of Carter Lake. Almost immediately, planes started landing and taking off there.[4] A lawsuit was launched against the City in 1927 when a group wanted to build a hangar there. The lawsuit failed, and the land was called both the Omaha Municipal Airport and the American Legion Airport.[5]

The April 1957 Official Airline Guide shows 42 scheduled airline departures per day, with 23 by United Airlines and 19 by Braniff International Airways. The airport is named for Eugene C. Eppley, founder of the Eppley Hotel chain, from whose estate $1 million was used to ready the then-Omaha Municipal Airport for jet aircraft in 1959–60.[6] This was matched by the federal government and improvements were made to handle jets at the airport, which was renamed Eppley Airfield in his honor in 1960.[7] The first jets to land in Omaha were United Boeing 720s in August 1960.

The terminal building, opened in 1961, was designed by James C. Buckley, Inc.[8] Concourse B opened in 1970,[9] and was remodeled when Concourse A opened in 1986.[10]

Omaha Airport Authority

Created in 1959, the Omaha Airport Authority is governed by a five member appointed board and is responsible for sole jurisdiction and operation of Eppley Airfield.[11]

Hubs and operations

Midwest Airlines, then known as Midwest Express Airlines, operated a hub at Eppley Airfield from 1995 to 2002 with flights to Milwaukee, Newark, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Diego, and Washington–Reagan; the airport remained a focus city with nonstop flights to Milwaukee and Washington–Reagan until the airline merged with Frontier Airlines in 2009.[12]

During 2017, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines were the largest carriers and served 33.7, 21.6, and 18.7 percent of passengers, respectively.[2]

The airport has an on-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility that handles international, charter, and private flights. Eppley's first commercial, international flight began May 1, 2018, when Air Canada Express launched a daily flight to Toronto Pearson International Airport; this service ended on October 4, 2019.

Expansion

Construction and upgrades are planned for Eppley Airfield's facilities and infrastructure based on passenger growth milestones. An expansion to runway 18/36 will be added in order to enable larger aircraft to land, as well as an enlargement of taxiway A. Concourses A and B will be joined together by a long corridor, and expanded in the northern direction, adding 8 gates. This expansion will also consolidate passenger security screening. After expansion, there will be a total of 28 gates. On either side of the unified terminal, the ramp will be extended for overnight aircraft parking.

In January 2016, Eppley Airfield completed expansion of its on-site United States Customs and Border Protection facility (CBP) to provide greater customs and inspection services for international passengers. Eppley Airfield is classified as a "Customs Landing Rights Airport" for international flights by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Scheduled, commercial international service began on May 1, 2018, when Air Canada Express launched a daily flight to Toronto–Pearson. That service ended on October 4, 2019. The airport also handles international cargo, charter, and private flights.

Location

The airport is northeast of downtown in east Omaha. Although the airport is in Nebraska on the west side of the Missouri River, it is surrounded on the east, west, and south by Iowa: the Missouri River formed an oxbow west of the land that became Eppley Airfield. The river cut off the oxbow during an 1877 flood, leaving behind Carter Lake on a portion of its former course; the Supreme Court ruled in 1893 that though the land cut off by the river's changed route now lay west of the Missouri, it remained part of Iowa. This land eventually became the city of Carter Lake, Iowa.[13]

Facilities

Eppley Airfield covers 2,650 acres (4.1 sq mi; 10.7 km2) at an elevation of 984 feet (300 m) above sea level. The airfield has three runways: 14R-32L, 14L-32R, and 18-36. On average, seven airlines provide approximately 88 departures per day to 33 nonstop destinations. The airport is also serviced by seven freight companies.[11][14]

Terminals

The South Terminal, including Concourse A, includes gates A1 through A10, baggage claims 1 through 3, and serves Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air (ticket counter), American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Frontier Airlines. Gate assignments: Alaska Airlines (A9), American (A6-A8, A10), Delta (A2-A5), and Frontier (A1).

The North Terminal, including Concourse B, includes gates B11 through B20, baggage claims 4 through 6, and serves Allegiant Air (gate), Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Gate assignments: Allegiant Air (B19), Southwest (B16-B18), Sun Country (B15), and United (B11-B14). Southwest has recently begun utilizing Gate B19 when Allegiant Air is not operating, as well as Gate B20 to deplane and park nighttime terminating aircraft until the following morning.[15]

Ground transportation

The airport is near four major highways: Interstate 80, Interstate 480, Interstate 680, and Interstate 29.

The airport has a consolidated rental car facility connected to the North Terminal.

Metro Transit Line 16[16] provides limited weekday-only rush-hour service southbound toward downtown and northbound toward the North Omaha Transit Center. Express Arrow intercity buses to Norfolk stop at the terminal.[17] Passenger access is located directly outside the terminal.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger
AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Alaska Airlines Seattle/Tacoma [18][19]
Allegiant Air Las Vegas, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Seasonal: Austin, Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Los Angeles, Punta Gorda (FL) 		[20][21][22]
American Airlines Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix–Sky Harbor
Seasonal: Miami (begins November 6, 2023)		 [23][24]
American Eagle Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York–LaGuardia
 [25]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul [26]
Delta Connection Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–LaGuardia, Salt Lake City, Washington–National [26][27]
Frontier Airlines Denver, Las Vegas
Seasonal: Fort Myers, Orlando 		[21][28]
Southwest Airlines Atlanta, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Denver, Houston–Hobby, Las Vegas, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, St. Louis, Washington–National
Seasonal: Fort Lauderdale (begins January 13, 2024),[29] Nashville, Orlando, Tampa 		[30]
Sun Country Airlines Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul [31]
United Airlines Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental
Seasonal: San Francisco 		[32]
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental
Seasonal: San Francisco 		[32]
Passenger destinations map
Domestic destinations from Eppley Airfield
Red = Year-round destination
Green = Seasonal destination
Blue = Future destination

Cargo
AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Amazon Air Fort Worth/Alliance [33]
Ameriflight Broken Bow, Grand Island, Hastings, Norfolk, O'Neill [34]
AirNet Express Des Moines
DHL Aviation Cincinnati, St. Louis [35]
FedEx Express Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Grand Island, Indianapolis, Kearney, McCook, Memphis, North Platte [36][37]
UPS Airlines Chicago–Rockford, Fargo, Louisville, Phoenix–Sky Harbor [38]

Statistics

Top destinations
Busiest domestic routes from OMA (June 2022 – May 2023)[39]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Colorado Denver, Colorado 364,000 Frontier, Southwest, United
2 Georgia (U.S. state) Atlanta, Georgia 226,000 Delta, Southwest
3 Illinois Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 204,000 American, United
4 Illinois Chicago–Midway, Illinois 184,000 Southwest
5 Arizona Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Arizona 173,000 American, Southwest
6 Texas Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas 165,000 American
7 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada 137,000 Allegiant, Frontier, Southwest
8 North Carolina Charlotte, North Carolina 110,000 American
9 Missouri St. Louis, Missouri 88,000 Southwest
10 Minnesota Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota 87,000 Delta

Airline market share
Largest airlines at OMA
(February 2022 – January 2023)[39]
Carrier Passengers (arriving and departing)
Southwest
1,641,000(36.68%)
American
623,000(13.93%)
SkyWest
591,000(13.21%)
United
506,000(11.31%)
Delta
380,000(8.50%)
Other Airlines
732,000(16.38%)

Annual traffic
Annual passenger traffic at OMA airport. See Wikidata query.
Annual passenger traffic (enplaned and deplaned) at OMA, 2000–2022[40]
2000s 2010s 2020s
Year Passengers Change Year Passengers Change Year Passengers Change
20003,814,440 0N/A0 20104,287,428 Increase01.65%0 20202,140,016 Decrease057.4%0
20013,653,521 Decrease04.21%0 20114,212,399 Decrease01.75%0 20213,749,337 Increase075.2%0
20023,608,231 Decrease01.23%0 20124,127,344 Decrease02.02%0 20224,506,713 Increase020.2%0
20033,667,190 Increase01.63%020134,042,333 Decrease02.06%0
20043,868,217 Increase05.48%020144,119,730 Increase01.91%0
20054,193,046 Increase08.40%020154,169,467 Increase01.21%0
20064,229,856 Increase00.88%020164,349,486 Increase04.32%0
20074,421,274 Increase04.53%020174,611,906 Increase06.03%0
2008 4,370,137 Decrease01.16%020185,043,194 Increase09.35%0
2009 4,217,718 Decrease03.49%020195,023,668 Decrease00.39%0

Accidents and incidents

See also

References
  1. FAA Airport Form 5010 for OMA PDF, effective June 21, 2018
  2. Eppley Airfield, official website
  3. "Eppley Airfield 2022 Statistics" (PDF). flyoma.com. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  4. "A History of Omaha's Eppley Airfield", Adam Fletcher Sasse, NorthOmahaHistory.com. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  5. Leslie R Valentine, "The Development of the Omaha Municipal Airfield, 1924–1930[Usurped!]," Nebraska History 61 (1980): 400–420.
  6. Eppley Grant of $1 Million Gives Omaha Jet Field - Lincoln Evening Journal, December 31, 1959
  7. "Municipal airport new name 'Eppley Airfield'," Omaha World-Herald, January 13, 1960
  8. American Aviation. Vol. 24. 1960.
  9. Mezzy, Dick (July 5, 1970). "Eppley Elevated Terminal Ready". Lincoln Star. p. 16. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  10. "Airport Authority of the City of Omaha, Airport Facilities Revenue Bonds" (PDF). www.fpr.net. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  11. "Airport Facts/Stats".
  12. "Frontier Airlines and Midwest to fly under one name - Apr. 13, 2010". money.cnn.com. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  13. Nebraska v. Iowa, 406 U.S. 117 (1972).
  14. "OMA airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  15. "Airport Maps".
  16. "Bus Route 16 - Omaha Metro". Archived from the original on January 13, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  17. "Routes and Schedules". Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  18. "Alaska Airlines West Coast network changes Sep 2019 – May 2020". Routes Online. September 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  19. "Flight Timetable". Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  20. "Allegiant Airlines Interactive Route Map". Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  21. "Non-Stop Destinations".
  22. "Home". allegiantair.com.
  23. "Flight schedules and notifications". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  24. @OMAairport (February 13, 2020). "Can we celebrate #ValentinesDay a bit..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. "American Airlines Uses Partnerships to Grow Its Network, Offer Customers More Choice, and Provide a Premier Travel Experience in the Northeast". news.aa.com.
  26. "FLIGHT SCHEDULES". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  27. "Delta to launch Los Angeles-Omaha service in November 2019". news.delta.com. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  28. "Frontier". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  29. "Southwest Airlines Extends Flight Schedule Through March 6, 2024, and Adds New Seasonal Service". swamedia.com. June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  30. "Southwest Airlines - Route Map". Southwest.com. June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  31. "Route Map". Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  32. "Timetable". Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  33. Stewart, Kelsey. "Amazon Air launches daily cargo service at Omaha's Eppley Airfield". Omaha World-Herald.
  34. "Fleets & Bases: USA/Canada/Mexico | Ameriflight Destination Services".
  35. https://dhlpro.com/media/37004/dhl-express-usa-overview_en.pdf
  36. "Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map". Flightradar24.
  37. "Routes".
  38. "Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map". Flightradar24.
  39. "RITA BTS Transtats - OMA". www.transtats.bts.gov. August 22, 2023.
  40. "Omaha Airport Authority -". Omaha Airport Authority.
  41. Accident description for TP-0203 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on January 23, 2019.
  42. Oliver, David. "Omaha airport reopens after Southwest Airlines plane goes off runway". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
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