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Omaha's Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport (IATA: OMA, ICAO: KOMA), is an international airport located 5 kilometres (3 miles) 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. The airport is managed by the Omaha Airport Authority and features three runways, supporting a significant number of domestic and international flights across the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Eppley Airfield |
| Other Names | Omaha Airport, Omaha Eppley International Airport, OMA Omaha |
| Location | 3 miles northeast of downtown Omaha, Nebraska |
| Year of Creation | 1959 |
| Owner | Omaha Airport Authority |
| Operator | Omaha Airport Authority |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Number of Boarding Gates | 20 |
| Total Passenger Flow in 2024 | 5,277,326 |
| Total Passenger Flow in 2020 | 2,140,016 |
| Major Airlines | Southwest Airlines, American, Delta |
| Top Domestic Routes | Denver, Chicago O'Hare, Atlanta, Phoenix, Chicago Midway, Dallas, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Houston Intercontinental |
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What You'll Learn
Omaha's Eppley Airfield
The airport serves as the primary aviation hub for Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa. It features three runways and a single passenger terminal, offering a significant number of domestic connections across the United States. In 2024, Eppley Airfield set a record with 5,277,326 passengers served, a significant increase from 2,140,016 passengers in 2020, which was impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Southwest Airlines, American, and Delta were the largest carriers in 2024, collectively serving over 75% of passengers.
The history of Eppley Airfield dates back to 1925 when the City of Omaha acquired 200 acres (0.8 km2) of land near East Omaha as an extension of Levi Carter Park. This land soon became a busy site for aircraft landings and take-offs. The airport was initially called both the Omaha Municipal Airport and the American Legion Airport. In 1959-60, the airport underwent significant improvements to accommodate jet aircraft, thanks to a $1 million donation from the estate of Eugene C. Eppley, founder of the Eppley Hotel chain. In recognition of this contribution, the airport was renamed Eppley Airfield in 1960.
Conveniently located near four major highways (Interstate 80, Interstate 480, Interstate 680, and Interstate 29), Eppley Airfield offers easy access for travellers. The airport provides a consolidated rental car facility connected to the North Terminal and has various transportation options, including bus services and intercity buses. In recent years, the airport has undergone expansions and upgrades to enhance the passenger experience, with further improvements planned for the near future.
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Location and transport links
Omaha's primary aviation hub is Eppley Airfield (IATA: OMA, ICAO: KOMA, FAA LID: OMA), also known as Omaha Airport. The airport is located 5 kilometres (3 miles) northeast of downtown Omaha, Nebraska, on the west bank of the Missouri River in Douglas County. Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and is located in the Midwest of the United States.
Eppley Airfield is the largest airport in Nebraska, with more arrivals and departures than all other airports in the state. It is a medium-sized hub airport, serving the city of Omaha and communities throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota. The airport is easily accessible by road, situated near four major highways: Interstate 80, Interstate 480, Interstate 680, and Interstate 29.
The airport is owned and operated by the Omaha Airport Authority (OAA), which was created in 1959. The OAA is governed by a five-member, appointed board and has sole jurisdiction over the airport's operations. The airport features three runways and a single passenger terminal, with 20 boarding gates.
Various transport options are available at Omaha Airport, including bus services and rental cars. The Metro Transit Omaha bus lines and several shuttle services operate to and from the airport. The airport also has a consolidated rental car facility connected to the North Terminal.
Extensive upgrades are planned for Eppley Airfield to modernise the terminal, add gates and facilities, and improve the overall passenger experience. In January 2024, the Omaha Airport Authority announced a $950 million expansion plan, which includes a new passenger drop-off lane and improved accessibility modifications.
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History
Omaha's major airport is Eppley Airfield (IATA: OMA, ICAO: KOMA, FAA LID: OMA), also known as Omaha Airport. It is located 5 kilometres (3 miles) northeast of downtown Omaha, Nebraska, and is the largest airport in the state. Omaha Airport is the primary aviation hub for Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, and it serves communities throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota.
The airport began as an extension of Levi Carter Park near East Omaha in 1925. The City of Omaha acquired 200 acres (0.8 km2) of cleared land on the east side of Carter Lake, and planes almost immediately began landing and taking off from there. The land was called both the Omaha Municipal Airport and the American Legion Airport. 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. Improvements were made to handle jets at the airport, which was renamed Eppley Airfield in his honour in 1960.
The Omaha Airport Authority was created in 1959 and is governed by a five-member, appointed board. The Authority has sole jurisdiction and is responsible for the operation of Eppley Airfield. The airport has three runways and a single passenger terminal, and it handles international cargo, charter, and private flights. In 2024, Eppley Airfield set an all-time record with 5,277,326 passengers served.
Extensive upgrades are planned for Eppley Airfield in the near future to modernise the terminal, add gates and facilities, and improve the passenger experience. In January 2024, the Omaha Airport Authority announced plans for a $950 million expansion of the terminal, with some construction already underway or soon to begin.
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Airlines and destinations
Omaha's major airport is Eppley Airfield (IATA: OMA, ICAO: KOMA, FAA LID: OMA), also known as Omaha Airport. It is located 5 kilometres (3 miles) northeast of downtown Omaha, Nebraska, and is the largest airport in the state.
Eppley Airfield is among the busiest airports in Nebraska and serves communities throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota. All major US airlines are represented at Omaha through regional subsidiaries. The airport features three runways and a single passenger terminal, with 20 boarding gates (A1-A10 South/B11-B20 North).
In 2024, Southwest Airlines, American, and Delta were the largest carriers at Eppley Airfield, serving 37.1%, 20.6%, and 17.5% of passengers, respectively. The top 10 domestic routes from Omaha Airport are Denver, Chicago O'Hare, Atlanta, Phoenix, Chicago Midway, Dallas, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Houston Intercontinental.
The airport also offers international service. In January 2016, Eppley Airfield expanded its on-site United States Customs and Border Protection facility (CBP) to enhance customs and inspection services for international passengers. The airport is classified as a "Customs Landing Rights Airport" for international flights by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. On May 1, 2018, Air Canada Express launched a daily flight to Toronto–Pearson, marking the beginning of scheduled commercial international service from Eppley Airfield.
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. Even after the airline merged with Frontier Airlines in 2009, the airport remained a focus city with nonstop flights to Milwaukee and Washington–Reagan.
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Future expansion plans
Omaha's major airport is Eppley Airfield (IATA: OMA, ICAO: KOMA, FAA LID: OMA), also known as Omaha Airport. It is located 5 kilometres (3 miles) northeast of downtown Omaha, Nebraska, and is the largest airport in the state. The airport is managed by the Omaha Airport Authority and features three runways, supporting a significant number of domestic flights across the United States.
The Omaha Airport Authority has announced extensive upgrades and expansion plans for Eppley Airfield in the coming years, with a focus on modernising the terminal, adding new gates and facilities, and enhancing the overall passenger experience. Here are the key components of the future expansion plans:
Terminal Modernisation and Expansion
The authority plans to invest $950 million to expand and modernise the terminal, with construction already underway or soon to begin. This includes the addition of new gates to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic and improve the efficiency of flight operations.
Improved Passenger Amenities
The expansion will bring enhanced passenger amenities and facilities to Eppley Airfield. A new protective canopy will be constructed over the passenger pick-up and drop-off area, providing travellers with a comfortable and weather-protected space. Additionally, the expansion plan includes improved ADA-compliant accessibility modifications, ensuring that the airport is inclusive and accessible to all travellers.
Enhanced International Services
With the airport's on-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, Eppley Airfield has been classified as a "Customs Landing Rights Airport" for international flights. The facility handles international, charter, and private flights, and it underwent expansion in 2016 to further enhance customs and inspection services for international passengers. This enables the airport to cater to a wider range of international destinations and airlines.
Infrastructure Upgrades
To support the increasing passenger volume and flight operations, infrastructure upgrades will be implemented. This includes improvements to the airport's roadways, with the addition of a new passenger drop-off lane to facilitate smoother traffic flow. Additionally, the construction of a consolidated rental car facility connected to the North Terminal further enhances ground transportation options for travellers.
Sustainable Initiatives
As part of its future expansion plans, Eppley Airfield aims to incorporate sustainable practices and technologies. This includes the potential integration of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient systems, and waste management strategies. By prioritising sustainability, the airport can reduce its environmental impact and contribute to long-term ecological preservation.
Community Engagement and Accessibility
The Omaha Airport Authority recognises the importance of community engagement and accessibility. As part of its expansion plans, the airport will continue to foster relationships with the surrounding communities and ensure that the facilities and services provided are accessible to all. This includes maintaining open communication with nearby residents and businesses and providing accessible transportation options to and from the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Omaha's major airport is Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport (IATA: OMA, ICAO: KOMA).
Omaha's Eppley Airfield is located 5 kilometres (3 miles) northwest of Omaha city centre, in Nebraska.
Omaha's Eppley Airfield is among the busiest airports in Nebraska. In 2024, the airport set an all-time record with 5,277,326 passengers served. It is the largest airport in Nebraska, with more arrivals and departures than all other airports in the state combined.
You can take either Metro Transit Omaha bus lines or any of the shuttles available at Omaha Airport. The Metro Transit Line 106 provides limited weekday-only rush-hour service southbound towards downtown and northbound towards the North Omaha Transit Centre.
