Owais Crawford
Will Rogers World Airport, now known as OKC Will Rogers International Airport, is located in southwestern Oklahoma, 8km from Oklahoma City. The airport was named after the legendary Oklahoma-born cowboy and comedian, Will Rogers, who died in an airplane crash in 1935. In 2024, the city council approved a name change to market the airport to a wider audience. The airport has undergone several expansion projects over the years, with the first phase led by HOK and FSB, along with contractors Timberlake Construction and civil engineer MacArthur Associated Consultants. The expansion added a new east concourse, increased security checkpoints, and improved passenger facilities. The airport serves over 3.8 million travellers annually and is the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Southwestern Oklahoma, 8km from Oklahoma City |
| Year opened | 1911 |
| Year renamed to Will Rogers World Airport | 1941 |
| Owner | City of Oklahoma City |
| Management | Oklahoma City Airport Trust |
| Number of nonstop airports | 23 |
| Average daily departures | 65 |
| Number of travellers per year | 3.8 million+ |
| Busiest year | 2019, with 4.42 million passengers |
| Busiest airline | Southwest Airlines, with a market share of 48% as of April 2022 |
| General contractors | Boldt Construction Co, HOK, FSB, Timberlake Construction, Frankfurt Short Bruza Associates |
| Consultants | Landrum and Brown |
| Civil engineer of record | MacArthur Associated Consultants |
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What You'll Learn
Expansion project phases
The Will Rogers World Airport expansion project was completed in several phases to limit disruptions to travellers. The airport, which serves over 4 million passengers annually, was facing issues such as congested curb space, crowded holding rooms, congested baggage claim areas, and inconvenient concession locations.
Phase I of the project was launched in early 2001, with a $110 million budget. This phase included the demolition of the old twin concourses to make way for a larger terminal with integrated concourses, high ceilings, and modern facilities. The old concourses dated back to the 1960s and were no longer suitable for the airport's needs.
Phase II of the project began in November 2001, with Boldt Construction Co. as the general contractor. This phase included the construction of a new 666-foot west concourse stretching westward from the central terminal and an extension of the existing central terminal. The new concourse features modern jet bridges that can accommodate regional jets, a spacious design with high ceilings and ample natural light, and an expanded floor space of 600,000 square feet, a 71% increase. Additionally, a new baggage handling system was designed and installed.
Phase III of the project, recommended by Landrum & Brown in 1998, included a new Central Concourse reconfiguration plan. This phase will see the terminal building extended to the east, providing nine new gates equipped with airbridges, bringing the total number of gates to 26. The expansion is funded by the Oklahoma City Airport Trust through various sources, including bond sales and grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.
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Renovation and expansion
The Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City has undergone significant renovation and expansion over the years to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and improve facilities.
In the late 1990s, the Oklahoma City Airport Trust recognised the need for significant upgrades to the airport's infrastructure, which had not been substantially updated since its construction in 1967. The tenants of the terminal wanted bigger and better facilities, including a more modern baggage handling system and better retail locations.
In 1998, plans were made to build a new terminal building, and Landrum and Brown, an airport design consultancy, identified ten options for expansion and renovation. The chosen plan included a combination of expanding and renovating the existing structure, constructing new concourses, and demolishing the old ones. This plan was divided into three phases, allowing the airport to maintain full operations during construction.
Phase II of the expansion project, which began in November 2001, involved the construction of a new 666-foot west concourse extending from the central terminal and an extension of the existing central terminal. The new concourse features modern jet bridges to accommodate larger jets and a new baggage handling system. The terminal's floor space was increased by 71%, creating more spacious aisles, ticket lobbies, baggage claim areas, and departure lounges. The concourse also boasts a 53-foot-high ceiling and expansive windows, providing excellent views of the surrounding landscape.
The first phase of the Terminal Expansion project, led by HOK and FSB, added a new east concourse with four new gates and the flexibility to open six more in the future. It also included a customs area for international flights, a consolidated security checkpoint, wider concourses, new shops and restaurants, a public observation deck, and public art installations celebrating Oklahoma's culture and history.
Other improvements to the airport include the construction of a new tunnel from the parking garage to the terminal, providing a well-lit and safe walkway for passengers, and expanded entry and exit traffic circles for efficient passenger pickup and drop-off. The airport also features a landscaped garden with native grasses and trees, as well as a life-size statue of Will Rogers on his horse, Teddy.
The airport, which first opened in 1911 as the Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield, was renamed after the famous Oklahoma-born cowboy and comedian in 1941. It has since become the busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma, handling nearly 4.42 million passengers in 2019.
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Concourse construction
The Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City has undergone several expansion and renovation projects over the years to accommodate the growing needs of its tenants and passengers. One of the significant aspects of these projects has been the construction and enhancement of its concourses.
In the late 1990s, the Oklahoma City Airport Trust recognised the limitations of the 1967-built terminal building, which led to the adoption of a three-phase master plan for renovation and expansion. The first phase, which commenced in November 2001, involved contracting Boldt Construction Co. as the general contractor. This phase included the construction of a new west concourse stretching 666ft westward from the central terminal, with a 53ft-high ceiling and expansive glass windows offering excellent views. The concourse was designed with modern jet bridges, accommodating regional jets, and an extended central terminal, resulting in a 71% increase in floor space.
The next phase of the expansion plan, Phase III, was updated in 2012 to include a new Central Concourse reconfiguration. This phase aimed to address the limitations of having only one gate available for leasing, hindering the airport's ability to attract new airlines or expand existing carriers. The updated plan included wider concourses and a larger, consolidated security checkpoint to meet evolving Transportation Security Administration requirements. HOK, an architectural firm, led this phase in collaboration with Oklahoma City-based FSB, and they worked with Timberlake Construction as the general contractor and MacArthur Associated Consultants as the civil engineer of record.
The new East Concourse, part of the expansion, was completed in September 2021, featuring four gates dedicated to Delta flights, with the flexibility to open six more in the future. The concourse boasts a modern design, including an observation deck for plane spotting, native stone, high ceilings, plate glass, and brushed metal, enhancing the overall passenger experience.
The expansion projects have also focused on improving passenger pick-up and drop-off efficiency, with expanded entry and exit traffic circles. The addition of a new tunnel from the parking garage to the terminal provides a well-lit and safe walkway, equipped with people-moving walkways and ramps, enhancing accessibility. Furthermore, the concourse entryways have been designed with two security checkpoints, easing congestion and facilitating rapid security inspections, even during peak travel periods.
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Landscape design
The Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City has undergone several expansion and renovation projects over the years, with a focus on enhancing the passenger experience and accommodating increasing travel demands. Landscape design has played a crucial role in these projects, aiming to create a welcoming and relaxing environment for travellers.
One notable aspect of the airport's landscape design is the incorporation of native grasses and trees in the plaza and garden areas. This landscaping approach not only provides a visually appealing and natural setting for passengers to enjoy but also pays homage to the region's native flora. The garden near the new terminal, featuring intricate yet informal arrangements of native plants, offers passengers a peaceful space to relax and admire the surrounding landscape.
The airport's expansion projects have also prioritised the efficient flow of entry and exit traffic, with expanded traffic circles and a new tunnel connecting the parking garage to the terminal. This tunnel, designed with people-moving walkways and ramps, enhances accessibility and provides a safe route for passengers, especially during inclement weather. The overall layout of the airport grounds is carefully planned to facilitate smooth traffic flow and minimise congestion, contributing to a more seamless travel experience.
The landscape design of Will Rogers World Airport also takes into account the surrounding prairie landscape. The concourse, with its high ceiling and expansive use of glass, offers passengers stunning views of the Oklahoma prairie. This connection to the natural environment not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the airport but also provides a sense of place and a unique travel experience. The incorporation of natural materials, such as native stone, in the terminal design further complements the surrounding landscape, creating a harmonious blend of architecture and nature.
Additionally, the airport's landscape design considers the integration of public art installations that highlight Oklahoma's culture and history. These artistic elements, strategically placed within the airport grounds, not only add to the visual appeal but also provide passengers with a sense of the region's cultural heritage. Overall, the landscape design of Will Rogers World Airport aims to create a functional yet aesthetically pleasing environment that enhances the travel experience and reflects the character of Oklahoma.
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Security and safety
One of the key safety features is the new tunnel connecting the parking garage to the terminal. This tunnel provides a well-lit, safe, and weatherproof walkway with people-moving walkways and ramps, leading to a central escalator core. This design enhances safety and accessibility for passengers travelling between the parking area and the terminal, especially during inclement weather.
To streamline security inspections and manage high passenger volumes, the airport has strategically placed two security checkpoints at the concourse entryways, rather than superimposing them on existing traffic flows. This design decision helps ease congestion and enables rapid and efficient security checks, even during peak travel periods.
The airport has also expanded its entry and exit traffic circles to facilitate smooth passenger pickup and drop-off. This improvement ensures efficient traffic flow, reducing potential safety hazards caused by congestion in these areas.
In terms of general safety, the airport has implemented health and safety standards, particularly in a post-COVID-19 world, to uphold the highest level of sanitation and wellbeing for all individuals on-site. Additionally, contractors assigned to safety-sensitive work are subject to random drug and alcohol testing to ensure compliance with federal mandates.
The airport's expansion projects have also prioritised the safety and convenience of passengers. The new terminal features a spacious design with high ceilings and ample floor space, creating a comfortable and less congested environment. The incorporation of natural materials, native grasses, and trees in the landscaping contributes to a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere for travellers.
Will Rogers World Airport is committed to providing a secure and safe environment for all its patrons and staff. Through careful planning, strategic design, and adherence to health and safety regulations, the airport strives to maintain and continuously improve its security and safety measures.
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Frequently asked questions
The Will Rogers World Airport expansion project in Oklahoma City aims to elevate the passenger experience by adding a new east concourse with four new gates and the flexibility to open six more in the future. The airport will also have wider concourses, new shops and restaurants, a public observation deck, and public art installations.
The general contractors for the project are Boldt Construction Co, HOK, FSB, and Timberlake Construction.
Some key features include a landscaped garden near the new terminal, a new tunnel from the parking garage to the terminal, and a life-size statue of Will Rogers on his horse, Teddy. The expansion also includes modern jet bridges, a new baggage handling system, and a 53-foot-high ceiling in the concourse.
