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OKC Unveils Expansion Plan to Accommodate 20 Million Passengers

Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) has unveiled a long-term terminal expansion plan designed to increase capacity from 4.6 million to as many as 20 million annual passengers over the next 25 years. The “Cleared for Takeoff” plan outlines a phased development strategy that would eventually expand the airport to 40 gates while modernizing passenger processing facilities, increasing parking capacity and improving terminal access. Rather than following a fixed construction schedule, the proposed improvements would be implemented as passenger traffic reaches designated milestones.

"The 'Cleared for Takeoff' plan outlines our trajectory from serving a baseline of 4.6 million passengers annually up to a future capacity of 20 million passengers," said Jeff Mulder, A.A.E., Director of Airports. "This is a monumental step toward balancing our landside facilities with airside terminal capacity, elevating passenger processing, and ensuring Oklahoma City remains seamlessly connected to the global economy."

The first phase, tied to annual traffic reaching 6 million passengers, includes construction of a five-level parking garage with 1,538 spaces, a covered rideshare waiting area, demolition of an existing parking garage and temporary modifications to terminal roadways. A second phase, triggered at 8 million passengers, would expand the terminal frontage and concourse to accommodate 24 to 26 gates, including at least one wide-body aircraft position, and establish a permanent two-level terminal roadway. The final phase envisions a 40-gate facility with expanded terminal frontage and a six-lane curbside roadway when traffic reaches 20 million passengers.

The airport also highlighted several improvement projects already underway or scheduled to begin shortly, including replacement of terminal flooring with terrazzo, rehabilitation of Terminal Drive and renovations to ticketing and baggage claim restrooms. The flooring project is scheduled for completion in January 2028, while roadway improvements are expected to be completed in February 2028. Airport officials emphasized that the conceptual expansion plan will continue to evolve as design work progresses and future passenger demand becomes clearer.

The airport plans approximately $120 million in capital improvements over the next two years, with an additional $750 million to $1 billion in longer-term terminal and infrastructure projects under consideration.

Source:

AAAE Aviation News Today