The Omaha Airport: A Comprehensive Size Guide

Omaha's Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport, is located 3 to 4 miles northeast of downtown Omaha, Nebraska. It is the largest airport in Nebraska, serving around 5 million passengers annually. The airport is owned and operated by the Omaha Airport Authority, which has announced a $950 million expansion plan to modernize the terminal, add gates, and improve the overall passenger experience.

Location and transport links

Omaha Airport, also known as Eppley Airfield (OMA), is located in the midwestern United States, approximately three to four miles northeast of downtown Omaha, Nebraska. It is situated on the west bank of the Missouri River in Douglas County and is easily accessible from four major highways: Interstate 80, Interstate 480, Interstate 680, and Interstate 29.

The airport is conveniently located near Omaha's downtown convention district, making it an ideal gateway for travellers doing business in the city or exploring its vibrant culture and attractions. Omaha Airport is the largest airport in Nebraska, with more arrivals and departures than all other airports in the state combined. It serves around five million passengers annually, offering nonstop service to 31 destinations across the nation.

A range of transportation options are available to and from the airport. Many large downtown hotels provide complimentary direct shuttle services for their guests. Additionally, the Metro Transit Line 16 provides weekday-only rush-hour services southbound towards downtown and northbound towards the North Omaha Transit Centre. For those travelling by bus, the Express Arrow intercity buses to Norfolk also stop at the terminal, with passenger access located directly outside.

The airport also caters to a variety of transportation needs on-site. It features a consolidated rental car facility connected to the North Terminal, providing convenient car rental options for travellers who prefer to drive themselves. Furthermore, the airport has an on-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, enabling it to handle international, charter, and private flights. This facility was expanded in 2016 to enhance customs and inspection services for international passengers.

Terminal size and expansion plans

Omaha Airport, also known as Eppley Airfield, is located three miles (5 km) northeast of downtown Omaha, Nebraska. It is the largest airport in Nebraska, serving around five million passengers annually. The airport offers non-stop service to 31 destinations and handles approximately 48,669 flights monthly.

The Omaha Airport Authority has announced a $950 million expansion plan for the terminal, named the Build OMA Terminal Modernization program. The expansion will nearly double the terminal size, increasing the area to approximately 646,000 square feet from the existing 375,000 square feet. The plan includes consolidating the two concourses into one and adding two more gates for arrivals and departures, with room for further additions in the future.

The expansion aims to enhance the airport's accessibility, streamline the passenger experience, and improve travel expectations. A new passenger drop-off lane, a protective canopy over the pick-up and drop-off area, and ADA-compliant accessibility modifications are also part of the plan. The consolidation of passenger security screening before the new terminal will ensure passengers need not exit and go through security again when moving between concourses.

The Omaha Airport Authority has been working on a long-term approach to improve and expand the terminal and passenger facilities to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic. The expansion is funded by airport revenues, federal grants, and future airport bonds.

Number of passengers

Omaha's Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport, serves around five million passengers annually, making it Nebraska's largest airport. It offers non-stop service to 31 of the nation's busiest airports, with more than 200 arrivals and departures daily. Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Sun Country provide around 70 daily departures to 31 nonstop destinations from Eppley Airfield.

The airport is conveniently located about four miles from Omaha's downtown convention district. It is surrounded by water, with the Missouri River to its north, east, and south, and Carter Lake to its west. This location, on the northeast edge of the city, can make it difficult to find at night.

The Omaha Airport Authority has announced a $950 million expansion of the terminal, which will nearly double the terminal's size and add amenities. The expansion will include a new passenger drop-off lane, a protective canopy over the passenger pick-up and drop-off area, and improved ADA-compliant accessibility modifications. The project aims to enhance the passenger experience, streamline processes, and meet current and future travel demands.

Eppley Airfield is classified as a "medium-sized, multi-use airport" by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The airport handles a mix of air carriers, air cargo, corporate and general aviation, and some military flights. It has an on-site US Customs and Border Protection facility, which was expanded in 2016 to enhance services for international passengers.

Airlines and destinations

Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport (IATA: OMA, ICAO: KOMA, FAA LID: OMA), is located in Omaha, Nebraska, in the midwestern United States. It is the largest airport in Nebraska, serving around five million passengers annually, with 70 daily departures to 31 nonstop destinations across the country. The airport is classified as a medium-sized, multi-use airport by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Omaha Airport is served by several major airlines, including Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Sun Country. These airlines provide travellers with convenient connections to significant hubs across the United States.

Southwest Airlines, one of the leading carriers at Omaha Airport, offers flights to various destinations, including Milwaukee, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Diego. Southwest's presence at the airport provides passengers with efficient connections to both domestic and international destinations through their comprehensive route network.

American Airlines, another prominent carrier at Omaha Airport, provides nonstop service to key destinations such as Washington–Reagan, offering travellers convenient access to the nation's capital and surrounding areas. American's network from Omaha also includes other major cities, ensuring efficient travel across the country.

Delta Air Lines, known for its comprehensive global network, offers a range of destinations from Omaha Airport. With Delta, passengers can reach cities like Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Detroit, connecting them to various domestic and international destinations.

United Airlines, while exclusively serving the Lincoln Airport (LNK) in Nebraska with daily flights, has also had a historical presence at Omaha Airport. The airline provided a significant number of departures in the past, as evident in the April 1957 Official Airline Guide, which listed 23 scheduled departures by United on a daily basis.

Frontier Airlines, which merged with Midwest Airlines (formerly Midwest Express Airlines) in 2009, continues to serve Omaha Airport. While Midwest Airlines previously operated a hub at Eppley Airfield, offering direct flights to multiple destinations, Frontier now provides seamless connections to their extensive network, ensuring passengers' efficient travel across the United States.

In addition to these carriers, Omaha Airport is also served by Alaska Airlines and Sun Country, contributing to the airport's diverse range of travel options.

History and naming

Omaha's Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport, is located in the midwestern United States, three miles (5 km) northeast of downtown Omaha, Nebraska. It is the largest airport in Nebraska, with more arrivals and departures than all other airports in the state combined.

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

The April 1957 Official Airline Guide listed 42 scheduled airline departures per day, with 23 by United Airlines and 19 by Braniff International Airways. In 1959–60, $1 million was used to ready the then-Omaha Municipal Airport for jet aircraft. This funding came from the estate of Eugene C. Eppley, the founder of the Eppley Hotel chain, and was matched by the federal government. Improvements were made to handle jets at the airport, which was renamed Eppley Airfield in his honour in 1960.

The history of aviation in Omaha is long and varied, ranging from small-scale operations to more ambitious efforts. The Olson Field, aka Steele Field, aka Pulitzer Field, was located on the Spanggaard Dairy Farm in East Omaha. In June of an unspecified year, Olson Field experienced an explosion of unknown origin, which was potentially caused by "airplane dope", a varnish used on airplane wings.

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