Will Rogers Airport: Size And Significance

Will Rogers World Airport, also known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is a passenger airport located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The airport is named after the legendary Oklahoma-born cowboy and comedian, Will Rogers, who died in an aeroplane crash in 1935. Covering 8,081 acres (12.63 sq mi) of land, Will Rogers World Airport is Oklahoma's busiest airport, handling nearly 4.42 million passengers in 2019. The airport features a single three-level terminal with 17 departure gates and three major runways, accommodating a wide range of aircraft sizes and serving various aviation purposes.

Runway and aircraft capacity

OKC Will Rogers International Airport, also known as Will Rogers Airport or Will Rogers World Airport, is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. It is a civil-military airport that covers 8,081 acres (12.63 sq mi) of land.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1911 when it first opened as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield. In 1941, it was renamed after comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native who tragically died in an airplane crash in 1935. During World War II, the airport served as a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces.

Will Rogers Airport has a long history of aviation operations, with four runways reported in the December 1951 C&GS chart:

• Runway 3: 5,497 feet
• Runway 8: 3,801 feet
• Runway 12: 5,652 feet
• Runway 17: 5,100 feet

These runways have accommodated a variety of aircraft over the years, including commercial, domestic, and military flights. The airport has been a hub for several airlines, including Great Plains Airlines, which offered non-stop flights to various destinations until its bankruptcy in 2004.

In recent years, the airport has continued to expand and improve its infrastructure. The new Lariat Landing development on the east side of the airport encompasses 1,000 acres (400 ha) and is designed to increase non-airline revenue while growing air service. This development includes runway access for aviation support companies, aircraft maintenance, and manufacturing.

Will Rogers Airport is well-equipped to handle a range of aircraft, from small private planes to large commercial jets. It has the necessary infrastructure and support services to accommodate a significant number of flights and passengers, as evidenced by its status as the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma, serving nearly 4.42 million passengers in 2019.

Passenger numbers

OKC Will Rogers International Airport, formerly known as Will Rogers World Airport, is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma. The airport is located in Oklahoma City, about 6 miles (10 km) southwest of the city centre, and is named after the comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native who died in an aeroplane crash in 1935.

Will Rogers Airport has a single three-level terminal with 17 departure gates across the West, Central, and East Concourses. The airport has three major runways: two 9,800-foot parallel runways and one 7,800-foot crosswind runway, enabling it to accommodate almost any size of aircraft.

In 2017, the airport handled a total passenger traffic of 3,925,358, with an average of 72 commercial departures per day. Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier at the airport, with a market share of nearly 48% as of April 2022. In 2019, the airport experienced its busiest year on record, serving nearly 4.42 million passengers for three consecutive years.

The airport provides a range of amenities for passengers, including parking options, rental car facilities, and shuttle services. The parking rates start at $2 per hour after the first free hour. The airport also features a variety of eateries, shops, and artwork for passengers to explore.

Terminal design and layout

Will Rogers World Airport has a single three-level terminal with 17 departure gates spread across three concourses: the West Concourse (Gates 1–12), the Central Concourse (Gates 14–24), and the East Concourse (Gates 26–32). The terminal's design assigns odd-numbered gates to the north side and even-numbered gates to the south, with certain odd numbers omitted in the gate succession. The East Concourse exclusively serves Delta flights, with four gates dedicated to these flights.

The downstairs level of the terminal houses the baggage claim area, which contains nine baggage belts. Level 3, on the other hand, is designated for offices used by airline and airport staff. The terminal's architecture showcases a blend of native stone, loft-ceilings, plate glass, and brushed metal, creating a more open and spacious atmosphere reminiscent of larger hub airports.

Prior to its rebranding, the airport featured the original Concourses A and B, which have since been replaced to offer a more modern and expanded space. The new East Concourse is a testament to this expansion. Additionally, the airport underwent a $3.8 million maintenance project in 2011, focusing on rehabilitating and repairing two of its three parking garages, namely Garages A and B.

Will Rogers World Airport also boasts a Consolidated Rental Car Facility, which opened in early 2016, housing rental services from prominent companies such as Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise, among others. This facility is conveniently located near the arrivals plaza, with shuttle buses providing easy transportation for passengers.

Parking options

Will Rogers World Airport offers various parking options to cater to different budgets and needs. The airport has four parking lots: Terminal Parking, Economy Parking, Premium Parking, and Valet Parking. Terminal Parking is the most expensive option as it is the closest to the terminal building. Economy Parking is a more affordable, on-site option, costing $6 per day. For an even cheaper option, DoubleTree (OKC) offers off-site parking starting at $3.95 per day. Premium Parking allows travellers to reserve a designated spot in advance for added convenience. Valet Parking is ideal for travellers who want to avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot.

OKC Airport also offers hourly parking at a rate of $2 per hour. This option is intended for short-term visitors and is located on the upper level of the two-story Garage A. Garage A also provides "ready-return" spaces for rental car agencies on the lower level. Garage B is a five-level parking structure that provides additional covered parking for air travellers. OKC Short Term Parking is a convenient and affordable option for travellers going on short trips, with rates of $15 for 2 hours and $30 for 4 hours.

For those picking up or dropping off passengers, there are free cell phone waiting areas located just across the street from the shuttle parking lot and near Lot No. 3. There is also a free waiting area on Terminal Drive, just south of Amelia Earhart Lane. Accessible drop-off locations can be found on the departure level, and wheelchair assistance is available.

In addition to the parking options, there are eight rental car companies servicing the airport, located at 5201 S. Meridian Ave. A complimentary shuttle bus provides transportation to and from the car rental centre 24 hours a day.

History and name changes

OKC Will Rogers International Airport (IATA: OKC, ICAO: KOKC, FAA LID: OKC) is a passenger airport located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. The airport is named after Will Rogers, a legendary cowboy, actor, writer, and humorist who was an Oklahoma native and a Cherokee Indian. Rogers died in an airplane crash in 1935 near Utqiagvik, Alaska, along with noted aviator Wiley Post.

The airport first opened in 1911 as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield. It was renamed in 1941 to Will Rogers Field, in honour of Rogers. During World War II, the airport was a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces, with many fighter and bomber units receiving initial training there.

In 2024, the airport was rebranded as the OKC Will Rogers International Airport. The new name was approved by the Oklahoma City Council to bring it in line with industry standards and to better market the airport to international airlines and businesses. The new branding also updated the colours and logo, with the logo taking inspiration from the swooping designs on the airplane flown by Rogers and Post.

The airport has also been known as Will Rogers Airport, Will Rogers World Airport, and simply Will Rogers. The official IATA and ICAO airport codes are OKC and KOKC, respectively, but it is commonly referred to as "WRWA" or "Will Rogers".

Frequently asked questions