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OKC Will Rogers International Airport, also known as Will Rogers Airport or Will Rogers World Airport, is a passenger airport located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. The airport is about 6 miles (10 km) southwest of the city's downtown area. It is the busiest commercial airport in the state of Oklahoma, handling nearly 4.42 million passengers in 2019. The airport was originally opened in 1911 as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield and was renamed in 1941 after comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native who died in an airplane crash in 1935.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | OKC Will Rogers International Airport |
| Other Names | Will Rogers Airport, Will Rogers World Airport, WRWA |
| Location | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States |
| Distance from Downtown | 6 miles (10 km) southwest |
| Land Area | 8,081 acres (12.63 sq mi) |
| Airport Codes | IATA: OKC, ICAO: KOKC, FAA LID: OKC |
| Named After | Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native, comedian, and legendary cowboy |
| Year Opened | 1911 |
| Renaming Year | 1941 |
| World War II Function | Training facility for the U.S. Army Air Forces |
| Busiest Year | 2019, with 4.42 million passengers |
| Top Airline (as of April 2022) | Southwest Airlines (48% market share) |
| Notable Events | EF-1 tornado in 2013, shooting incident in 2016 |
| Government Facilities | Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS), Federal Transfer Center, U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility |
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What You'll Learn
Will Rogers Airport is named after Oklahoma native Will Rogers
Will Rogers World Airport, also known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is named after Oklahoma native Will Rogers. The airport is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, about six miles (10 km) southwest of the city's downtown area.
The airport first opened in 1911 as Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield and was renamed in Rogers' honour in 1941. Will Rogers was a comedian and legendary cowboy from Oklahoma who died in an airplane crash near Utqiagvik, Alaska, in 1935. The airport is also referred to by the codes "WRWA" or simply "Will Rogers", despite its official IATA and ICAO airport codes being OKC and KOKC, respectively.
During World War II, Will Rogers Field served as a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces. Various Army Air Forces groups, including the 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 46th Bombardment Group (Light), were stationed at the airport and received initial training there.
In recent years, the airport has experienced record-breaking passenger traffic, with nearly 4.42 million passengers passing through in 2019, making it the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma. Southwest Airlines, the carrier with the highest market share at the airport, reported an incident in 2024 when one of its flights had to recover from an altitude of 525 feet above Yukon, Oklahoma, receiving an automated altitude warning.
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It is the busiest airport in Oklahoma
OKC Will Rogers International Airport, also known as Will Rogers Airport or simply Will Rogers, is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, about six miles from the city's downtown area. It is named after the comedian and legendary cowboy Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native who died in an aeroplane crash in 1935.
Will Rogers Airport is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma. In 2019, the airport handled nearly 4.42 million passengers, marking its busiest year on record for three consecutive years. Southwest Airlines carries the most passengers at Will Rogers International Airport, with a market share of nearly 48% as of April 2022.
The airport has a rich history, first opening in 1911 as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield. It was renamed in honour of Will Rogers in 1941. During World War II, the airport served as a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces, with many fighter and bomber units receiving their initial training there.
Will Rogers Airport offers a range of amenities and services for travellers, including eateries, curated shops, and world-class artwork on display. It also has a strong military presence, with facilities for the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS), the Federal Transfer Centre, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's National Air Training Centre.
The airport has experienced some notable incidents, including an EF-1 tornado in 2013 that caused minor damage to some buildings. Additionally, in 2016, a Southwest Airlines employee was tragically shot and killed in a parking garage, leading to a suspect found dead of an apparently self-inflicted wound. Despite these challenges, Will Rogers Airport remains a vital transportation hub for Oklahoma City and the surrounding region.
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The airport has artwork, eateries and shops
OKC Will Rogers International Airport, located about 6 miles from downtown Oklahoma City, is the busiest commercial airport in the state of Oklahoma. The airport has three concourses packed with eateries and curated shops, as well as world-class artwork on display throughout the airport.
The airport's eateries offer a variety of dining options for travellers, ranging from quick bites to full-service restaurants. There are also several shops located within the concourses, offering a range of products and services, including travel essentials, souvenirs, and local specialties.
The world-class artwork at the airport includes a variety of mediums and styles, with pieces on display throughout the terminals and concourses. The airport also features a youth art gallery, showcasing the talent of local student artists. The gallery is located on Level 2 of the West Meet and Greet Lobby and displays student artwork in sixteen 18-by-24 frames.
In addition to the artwork, eateries, and shops, the airport also offers a host of other amenities and services for travellers, including interactive airport maps, amenities, and information about the airport's culture, history, and heritage. The airport's website provides an interactive map to help travellers navigate their way from curb to cabin, as well as information about the airport's operations and future developments.
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A tornado hit the airport in 2013
On May 31, 2013, an EF-1 tornado hit Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The tornado was 1.4 miles wide and travelled a distance of 10.4 miles, passing over northern areas of the airport. The path of the tornado included the facilities of MetroTech, the FAA, the Oklahoma National Guard, AAR, the Four Points Hotel, and the passenger terminal and hangars on the north and east sides of the airport. Minor damage was reported at AAR and several other buildings in the tornado's path.
The Parking Spot location north of the airport on Meridian Avenue was also hit. The company decided in August 2013 not to reopen the facility and exited the OKC market. The tornado caused power outages at the airport, and passengers were evacuated to an underground tunnel. No flights were arriving or departing, and the airport warned people not to come to the airport to pick up passengers.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency for Oklahoma City's downtown, the airport, and several suburbs as the tornado moved through central Oklahoma. It touched down near El Reno and then moved east toward Oklahoma City. Local media urged residents to get into their cars and drive south to escape the tornado's path.
Will Rogers Airport is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma. It is a civil-military airport located about 6 miles southwest of Oklahoma City's downtown area. The airport first opened in 1911 as Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield and was renamed in 1941 after Will Rogers, an Oklahoma native who died in an airplane crash in 1935.
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Southwest Airlines carries the most passengers
Will Rogers World Airport, officially known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. The airport is named after Will Rogers, a legendary cowboy and comedian who was an Oklahoma native and died in an airplane crash in 1935. It is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma, handling nearly 4.42 million passengers in 2019.
Southwest Airlines is the leading carrier at Will Rogers Airport, with a market share of nearly 48% as of April 2022. The airline has a significant presence at the airport, and in April 2022, it accounted for almost half of the airport's passenger traffic. Southwest Airlines has a notable history at Will Rogers Airport, with a tragic incident in 2016 involving the death of one of its employees, Michael Winchester, who was shot and killed in a parking garage.
Southwest Airlines' dominance at Will Rogers Airport can be attributed to various factors, including the airline's competitive routes and convenient connections to and from Oklahoma City. The airline's popularity among passengers may also be due to its reputation for offering low-cost flights and a unique business model, although there has been some customer dissatisfaction regarding changes to their differentiated business model, including the addition of checked bag fees.
Additionally, Southwest Airlines has faced some challenges in recent years, including an incident in June 2024, where one of its flights, Southwest Airlines Flight 4069, descended to an altitude of 525 feet above Yukon, Oklahoma, receiving an automated altitude warning. However, the aircraft recovered and landed safely at Will Rogers Airport without incident. Despite this, Southwest Airlines remains a significant player in the aviation industry and continues to carry the most passengers at Will Rogers Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
The official name of the airport is OKC Will Rogers International Airport. Its official IATA and ICAO airport codes are OKC and KOKC, respectively, but it is also commonly referred to as WRWA or simply Will Rogers.
Will Rogers Airport is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma. In 2019, the airport handled approximately 4.42 million passengers, marking its third consecutive busiest year on record.
A Southwest Airlines employee, Michael Winchester, was shot and killed in a parking garage. The suspect, 45-year-old Lloyd Dean Buie, was later found dead of an apparent self-inflicted wound.
Will Rogers Airport offers a variety of eateries, shops, and amenities across its three concourses. The airport also displays world-class artwork throughout the terminal.
There are several hotels near Will Rogers Airport, including the Wingate by Wyndham, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and Wyndham Garden Airport. These hotels offer amenities such as free breakfast, WiFi, and parking.
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