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The Omaha airport, also known as Eppley Airfield, is located in Nebraska. However, it is surrounded by Iowa on three sides—east, west, and south—due to the unique geography of the area. The Missouri River, which flows west of the airport, formed an oxbow that was cut off during a flood in 1877, resulting in the creation of Carter Lake, which is now part of Iowa. This geographical quirk means that travellers heading to the airport from Omaha may find themselves passing through Iowa en route to their destination in Nebraska.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Eppley Airfield |
| Location | Nebraska |
| Year it was created | 1959 |
| Number of boarding gates | 20 |
| Total passengers served in 2024 | 5,277,326 |
| Number of runways | 6 |
| Length of the longest runway | 9,502 feet |
| Width of the runways | 150 feet |
| Year the terminal building was opened | 1961 |
| Year the Omaha Airport Authority announced a $950 million expansion of the terminal | 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Eppley Airfield is in Nebraska
Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport, is indeed in Nebraska. The airport is located three miles (5 km) northeast of downtown Omaha, in Douglas County. It is the largest airport in Nebraska, serving 4.3 million passengers annually. The airport is named for Eugene C. Eppley, founder of the Eppley Hotel chain, who donated $1 million to ready the airport for jet aircraft in 1959–60.
Although Eppley Airfield is in Nebraska, it is surrounded on the east, west, and south by Iowa. The Missouri River runs along its western border, and the airport is located on the west bank of the river. The river formed an oxbow west of the land that became Eppley Airfield, and during an 1877 flood, the river cut off the oxbow, leaving behind Carter Lake on a portion of its former course. This land eventually became the city of Carter Lake, Iowa.
The airport covers 2,650 acres (4.1 sq mi; 10.7 km2) and has three runways. It is classified as a medium hub airport by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is owned and operated by the Omaha Airport Authority (OAA). The Omaha Airport Authority was created in 1959 and is governed by a five-member, appointed board. The airport has two terminals, the North Terminal and the South Terminal, and several concourses.
Eppley Airfield has an on-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility that handles international, charter, and private flights. The airport also handles international cargo flights. In 2016, the facility was expanded to provide greater customs and inspection services for international passengers. Extensive upgrades are planned for the airport in the near future, including modernizing the terminal, adding gates and facilities, and improving the overall passenger experience.
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The airport is surrounded by Iowa on three sides
Omaha's Eppley Airfield is located in Nebraska, on the west side of the Missouri River. However, despite being in Nebraska, the airport is surrounded by Iowa on three sides: the east, west, and south. This unique geographical situation is due to the meandering path of the Missouri River, which formed an oxbow west of the land that became Eppley Airfield. During a flood in 1877, the river cut off this oxbow, leaving behind Carter Lake on a portion of its former course. As a result, the land that became Carter Lake, Iowa, was cut off from the rest of Iowa and surrounded by Nebraska.
The complicated border between Iowa and Nebraska near Omaha's Eppley Airfield has led to some interesting legal and geographical quirks. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the ambiguous legal status of the area now known as Carter Lake led to a lack of development in the region. While Omaha and Council Bluffs modernized, this "orphaned" bit of Iowa was left with dirt roads and no sewers or electricity. The area became a legal no-man's land, with neither Iowa nor Nebraska eager to provide utilities and services, despite both states wanting its tax revenues. This situation persisted for decades until 1930, when residents voted to secede from Council Bluffs and form their own town, Carter Lake, Iowa.
Today, Carter Lake remains a small peninsula of Iowa that is only accessible via Nebraska roads. The complicated border between the two states has led to some confusion for travellers flying into Eppley Airfield, who may see "Welcome to Iowa!" signs on their way to the airport without ever crossing the Missouri River. Despite being in Nebraska, the airport serves communities throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota. All major US airlines are represented at Eppley Airfield, and it is among the busiest airports in the state.
The airport is operated by the Omaha Airport Authority, which was created in 1959. Eppley Airfield has a consolidated rental car facility and is accessible by various intercity buses and the Metro Transit Line 106. The airport has undergone various upgrades and expansions over the years to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and improve the passenger experience.
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Omaha is in Nebraska, near Iowa
Omaha is a city in Nebraska, near Iowa. Omaha's Eppley Airfield, located in east Omaha, is surrounded by Iowa on the east, west, and south. The Missouri River runs west of the airport.
The airport is named after Eugene C. Eppley, the founder of the Eppley Hotel chain, who donated $1 million to ready the airport for jet aircraft in 1959–60. The airport was renamed in his honour in 1960, and its terminal building was opened in 1961. Eppley Airfield is among the busiest airports in Nebraska, serving communities throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota.
The border between Iowa and Nebraska near Omaha is complicated due to the presence of the Missouri River. In 1877, a massive gorge of melting ice blocked the river between Omaha and the Iowa city of Council Bluffs. This led to the formation of Carter Lake, Iowa, which juts north into the Omaha suburbs. The Supreme Court ruled in 1892 (or 1893, according to another source) that state lines should shift when rivers gradually change course, as in the case of Carter Lake, which remained part of Iowa despite being cut off by the river's changed route.
As a result of this complicated border, travellers heading to Eppley Airfield from Omaha might be confused to pass "Welcome to Iowa" signs on their way to the airport. The city of Carter Lake, Iowa, is a peninsula that cannot be reached without travelling on Nebraska roads. This unique geographical situation has resulted in a blend of Iowa and Nebraska influences in the area, showcasing the intricate dynamics of state borders and river systems.
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The Missouri River separates Omaha, Nebraska, from Council Bluffs, Iowa
Carter Lake was formed in 1877 when a massive gorge of melting ice blocked the Missouri River between Omaha and the Iowa city of Council Bluffs. This led to the creation of an oxbow lake, with the river cutting off and leaving behind Carter Lake on a portion of its former course. As a result, travellers have to pass through a small part of Iowa to get to Eppley Airfield from Omaha, Nebraska.
The unique geography of Carter Lake has resulted in a complex history and legal battles between Iowa and Nebraska. Initially, Omaha developers began building on the land, calling it "East Omaha Island". However, Iowa sued Nebraska, arguing that the region, which became known as Carter Lake, should remain part of Iowa. In 1892, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Iowa, stating that state lines should not shift when rivers avulse or dramatically alter their paths.
Despite this ruling, Omaha continued to modernise and provide utilities and services to the area, while Carter Lake was left with dirt roads and a lack of sewers or electricity. This legal grey area led to the development of amusement parks and posh nightclubs, as well as illegal activities such as animal fighting matches. Eventually, in 1930, residents of Carter Lake voted to secede from Council Bluffs and form their own town, becoming a prosperous Omaha bedroom community. Today, Carter Lake remains a peninsula of Iowa, accessible only via Nebraska roads, creating a unique geographical situation where residents have their front yards in Iowa and backyards in Nebraska, paying property taxes in both states.
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Carter Lake, Iowa, is a peninsula only accessible via Nebraska
The Omaha airport, also known as Eppley Airfield, is located in Nebraska. However, it is surrounded on the east, west, and south by Iowa. This unique geographic situation is due to the Missouri River, which flows between the two states. In 1877, a massive gorge of melting ice blocked the river, causing it to change course and creating an oxbow lake now known as Carter Lake. This lake is surrounded by the city of Carter Lake, Iowa, which is a suburb of Omaha and sits to the south and west of Eppley Airfield. As a result, travellers going to the airport from anywhere except North Omaha will pass through Carter Lake, Iowa, and see ""Welcome to Iowa" signs, despite being on their way to an airport in Nebraska.
The city of Carter Lake has a unique history due to its proximity to the Missouri River and the state border. In 1892, after a lengthy legal battle between Iowa and Nebraska, the Supreme Court ruled that Carter Lake belonged to Iowa, even though it was located on the west side of the Missouri River. This ruling set a precedent that state lines should shift when rivers gradually change course but not when they move suddenly. Despite being legally part of Iowa, Carter Lake lacked the basic city services enjoyed by residents east of the river. The town became a legal no-man's-land, with neither Iowa nor Nebraska eager to provide utilities and services, even as the surrounding areas of Omaha and Council Bluffs modernised.
In the 1920s, residents of Carter Lake attempted to secede from Council Bluffs and join Omaha, Nebraska, in the hopes of gaining access to better infrastructure. However, Omaha refused, not wanting to incur the costs of extending sewers and water lines to the area. As a result, in 1930, Carter Lake was incorporated as its own city in the state of Iowa. This unusual border situation has created a peninsula of Iowa that is only accessible via Nebraska, leading to confusion for travellers and a unique identity for the residents of Carter Lake.
Today, Carter Lake, Iowa, remains a peninsula surrounded by Nebraska and the Missouri River, with a population of around 3,791 people as of the 2020 census. The city has a total area of 2.02 square miles, with 1.87 square miles of land and 0.15 square miles of water. Despite its small size and unique location, Carter Lake has established itself as a prosperous Omaha bedroom community, with residents embracing the city's complex history and embracing the motto, "A Great Place to Live, Work, and Play!"
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Omaha airport, Eppley Airfield, is in Nebraska. However, it is surrounded by Iowa on three sides.
Eppley Airfield was created in 1925 as an extension of Levi Carter Park near East Omaha. In 1959, the Omaha Airport Authority was created to govern the airport. The airport was named after Eugene C. Eppley in 1960.
The Missouri River formed an oxbow west of the land that became Eppley Airfield. In 1877, the river cut off the oxbow during a flood, leaving behind Carter Lake on its former course. This resulted in a complicated Iowa-Nebraska border near the airport.
Eppley Airfield is among the busiest airports in Nebraska, serving communities in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota. In 2024, the airport served 5,277,326 passengers.
The contact details for the Omaha Airport Authority are as follows:
Address: 4501 Abbott Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68110
Airport Information: (402) 661-8017
Business Office: (402) 661-8000
Fax: (402) 661-8025
